EXPECT A LITTLE AND GIVE A LOT
Fifth SUNDAY OF EASTER: Jn 13:31-35
It was a winter night. I was returning to my little parish in the northern part of India by my motor bike. On the way, I saw an elderly man who was walking along the road, carrying two heavy bags. He was going to visit his daughter. His train was late and he missed the last bus. He had no choice but to walk. I felt sorry for him. I offered him a lift. On the way, he asked me, “Sir, are you a Christian?” “Why do you ask that question?” I was curious! “Only Christians do this kind of service”, he replied. Love marks the uniqueness of Christian identity. If we, Christians, fail in love, the world has no other place to look for it.
LOVE MARKS CHRISTIAN IDENTITY
Jesus said to his disciples, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” If there is no love, there is no Christianity. If we do not abide in love, we do not know anything about God because God is love. Love is not a quality of God. It is the essence of God. God is love. Jesus underscored this view when he said ‘by your love you will reveal that you are my disciples.’
There are numerous definitions on love. However, the statement ‘God so loved the world that he sent his only Son’ excels all other definitions of love. This statement explains the nature of love. Love is giving. God manifested his love in giving, giving His only Son. Jesus did the same. He gave His life as a ransom for many. We witness this supreme act of love in the celebration of the Eucharist. Giving, and not receiving, characterizes Christian love. The desire for receiving shows one’s deficiency and the eagerness to give tell one’s sufficiency. Problems arise when one’s sole concern becomes receiving. What motivates me in my life? Am I a generous giver?
CRITERIA OF CHRISTIAN LOVE!
Fifth SUNDAY OF EASTER: Jn 13:31-35
It was a winter night. I was returning to my little parish in the northern part of India by my motor bike. On the way, I saw an elderly man who was walking along the road, carrying two heavy bags. He was going to visit his daughter. His train was late and he missed the last bus. He had no choice but to walk. I felt sorry for him. I offered him a lift. On the way, he asked me, “Sir, are you a Christian?” “Why do you ask that question?” I was curious! “Only Christians do this kind of service”, he replied. Love marks the uniqueness of Christian identity. If we, Christians, fail in love, the world has no other place to look for it.
LOVE MARKS CHRISTIAN IDENTITY
Jesus said to his disciples, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” If there is no love, there is no Christianity. If we do not abide in love, we do not know anything about God because God is love. Love is not a quality of God. It is the essence of God. God is love. Jesus underscored this view when he said ‘by your love you will reveal that you are my disciples.’
There are numerous definitions on love. However, the statement ‘God so loved the world that he sent his only Son’ excels all other definitions of love. This statement explains the nature of love. Love is giving. God manifested his love in giving, giving His only Son. Jesus did the same. He gave His life as a ransom for many. We witness this supreme act of love in the celebration of the Eucharist. Giving, and not receiving, characterizes Christian love. The desire for receiving shows one’s deficiency and the eagerness to give tell one’s sufficiency. Problems arise when one’s sole concern becomes receiving. What motivates me in my life? Am I a generous giver?
CRITERIA OF CHRISTIAN LOVE!
How do we know that we really love someone? What are the parameters of love? Christian love has three characteristics:
It is other oriented। The moment you start to think about others and their growth, you have begun to live Christian Love। If your life and activities do not bring happiness and growth to others, yours is not Christian love।
Christian Love is action oriented. Love is not an abstract thing. It should take on a concrete form. For example, we make available our time, talents, and treasures to the person we love. In genuine love, there is always an exchange of words, an exchange of persons and an exchange of gifts. God so loved us by sending His own Son. Jesus loved us by giving His own Body and Blood. We must show our love through concrete actions.
Christian Love is expensive. There is no genuine love without a price or sacrifice. For example, to forgive someone who offended us or to defend somebody whom we do not like…is really a sacrificial act. The amount of sacrifice that goes along with our concrete actions measures the real depth of our Christian Love!!
“Don’t look for flaws as you go through life; It is easy enough to find them. It is wise to be kind, and sometimes blind, and to look for the virtues behind them.”
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