The scripture readings for the following reflection can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082120.cfm
This response of Jesus towards the Pharisees seems
simple enough to follow. But when you look at it more closely, it can be a bit
complicated. Loving God is the center of who we should be as followers of Jesus
Christ. But our Lord is pointing out something even deeper: if you claim to
love God, you must also love your neighbor.
In another part of scripture, from the first letter of
John, chapter 4, verse 20, we read, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For
whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot
love God, whom they have not seen.”
That’s where things get
complicated. With daily interactions with family, friends, and co-workers, we
can really get on each other’s nerves. I know from my own experience with my
family, there are times when I don’t even like them, no less love them. But our
Lord is still expecting us to love them. He is not asking us to like them, but
to love them. There is a difference.
Our Lord not only expects
us to love everyone, including those we do not like, but he also doesn’t expect
us to be in a situation that can affect us emotionally or spiritually. If
there’s someone in your family or among your friends that pushes your buttons
and upset you, it is okay to keep your distance from them, rather than to upset
yourself and possibly start “hating” that person because of your relationship
with them. You can love them and pray for them, but you don’t have to be in a
situation that causes you to sin. It’s a good way to avoid that near occasion
of sin: rather than get upset or angry at someone that pushes your buttons,
it’s best to remain at a distance and pray for their intentions.
Further, if we do find
ourselves in a situation with someone that we don’t like, as hard as it may be,
we need to show them love and respect, no matter how difficult it is. That
person you’re encountering may be going through a personnel problem that he or
she are unable to share. Our show of
the love of God can bring them the comfort they need to get over whatever
problem they are facing. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be
put into action, and that action is service.” That service can either be that
of a listening ear, or that of prayer for that person that you’re concerned
with, whether family or friend.
Lord Jesus, help us to love those in our lives with the same love
you have for us. Amen.
Very good. We all love God but it is a challenge to keep Him first & love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind & strength.
ReplyDeleteSometimes when we are called to love sacrificially in a way that goes beyond our comfort zone, such as in a caregiving role, we can ask God to use us as His instrument of love to the other person. Our human love, even for the people we love most deeply, is limited, but God's love for us & for the person we are called to serve is unlimited. Being a caregiver was not my particular gift, but I learned from Mom's aides what to do for Mom when it was my turn to take care of her & I felt a love & tenderness emmanating from me that was greater than my own. It was not just me loving Mom but God loving Mom through me. Mom was easy to love but I never chose to marry and/or have children so I never saw myself as someone who would choose to be a caregiver. But the combination of my own human love for Mom, the example of her two personal aides who showed me what to do, and the unlimited love of God coming through me to Mom is what made it possible & even sometimes made caregiving a joy. I still would not necessarily see myself as choosing to be a caregiver to anyone else, but this was God's will for me for 3 years & God's love was there to help me.