They will know we are Christians by our love

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“In the image of the Persons of the Trinity, each of whom is all He is in relationship with the other two, a person is made for relationship with others and this is the only way he or she can develop. Turning inwards individualistically is isolation; we become persons in relationship with others. But we can only truly turn to others by turning to God. In Him alone can our relationships with others reach their proper depth. To love others, and to respect them as that love requires, we must recognize their special relationship with God. God calls each single person and puts desire in his heart, that desire for God which is each man’s truth and proper stature. But before we can see this in others, we must find it in ourselves.”  (Dom Georges LeFebvre, O.S.B.)

 Years ago I recall reading that, in nature, no perfect squares exist. It fascinates me that all of creation is imperfect and incomplete. Every leaf, bud, rain drop, and stone are incomplete without the rest of creation to in some way sustain, complement, move or break it down.

We are part of this created harmony. However, unlike lower order creation, we have free will. These imperfections unfortunately cause us to grate upon one another at times; to offend and be offended.  As Catholics we are taught to suffer like Jesus. Turn the other cheek. Offer it up. Align our sufferings to His cross. We think we are to stoically endure the suffering and put aside any bitterness or anger that are its natural human outcomes.

But to suffer like Jesus is something more, something different. Jesus is God (He who has seen me has seen the Father Jn 14:9; also 8:16-59, 10: 30, 38; 17:21-24; Phil 2:5-8; CCC 461-464), and God is Love. Jesus cannot stop loving any more than God can, because it is what He is. In suffering, the heart opens and Love grows even more.

Any parent knows this in those times when their child seems distant from them in heart or is rejecting them. The natural reaction of the parent is to want that child more, to want to hold onto them without ceasing, to want them to understand how much they are loved. We also experience this with family members and friends, people with whom we have shared our heart. However, on our own, we do this quite poorly, whereas Jesus’ heart surges with Love in these times.

It isn’t that we shouldn’t experience our natural human reactions. So did Jesus at times (Lk 17:11-19, Mk. 11:15-17, Lk. 13:10-17). But, like His, our heart must be Love itself to react in an orderly way. We must let Jesus into our heart, let Him recreate our heart to be Himself, for that to happen.

‘Through a prodigy of His infinite mercy, God not only rids us of the stigma which made us abominable [original sin], He ennobles us to the point of making us objects worthy of His delight. To that end He infuses in us a participation in His own being, and He transfigures us into the image of His only begotten Son so that we might be a living splendor of the divine Word just as the Word is “the brightness of His glory and the figure of His substance.” (Heb: 1:3) Then, seeing His own Son resplendent in us, He sees Himself in us and can look upon us with that infinite complacency which He enjoys eternally in His adorable and absolute perfections.

 Such is the mystery of the supernatural life: a resemblance of a participation in the inner life of God, one and three.  …  the eternal Father regenerates us by communicating to us a new life, a divine and eternal life, and by making us participate in an ineffable manner in the generation of His Word of life. Then both together instill in us their vivifying Spirit who penetrates the very depth of our souls in order to animate, renew, transform, and deify them. Thus do our souls share in the eternal spiration of the mutual love of the Father and Son… As the soul is purified and ceases to place obstacles to that deifying influence—striving to grow in God and to be filled with His plentitude—its regeneration is effected and it reproduces in itself more and more clearly the enchanting image of the divine Word. So it is also filled more and more with the Spirit of Love.’ (Servant of God Fr. John Arintero)

 That is sanctification, something God wants for us here and now. The extent to which we permit, He will we grow us into being vessels of Love to others, including those who offend us. The beauty in the Catholic Church, which He personally gave us, is His own Body and Blood, which will change us if we consciously submit our will to His and permit it. The beauty in our Church is the sacrament of Confession which He personally gave to us to not only cleanse us of sin but, if we submit ourselves to Him, also to heal. The beauty of the Catholic church as the repository of faith in its fullness is that we understand sanctifying Grace as the action of the Holy Spirit working within us, and can submit ourselves to It.

 The reason the early Christians were known by their love is because they were vessels of His love. Jesus is counter cultural, and to be His Christian we must be too. We must be Love.

 In thanksgiving to our priests who shepherd us down that path, continue to pray for Pope Francis, all clergy and religious, and the worldwide Church. 

God our Father, You call each of us to use our gifts in the Body of Christ. We ask that You inspire those whom you call to priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life to courageously follow Your will. Send workers into Your great harvest so that the Gospel is preached, the poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted, and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam 😊