One of the benefits (if one can say that word in the context
of grief) of taking the time off for Mom’s funeral has been the opportunity to
go to several daily masses and offer them up for Mom, and to have my
sister-in-law Marilyn around to discuss spiritual matters. I used to have these discussions with Mom on
Sundays when I brought her the Sacrament.
I really miss our Sunday talks. I
had no idea how thirsty I was for these “mini-bible studies”. They helped me stay on my prayer regimen, and
as my visit with Marilyn did today, they gave me inspiration to meditate on the
Scriptures and write those thoughts in my blog.
I feel this blog is my attempt—however feeble—to evangelize. I’m
sorry I haven’t written regularly. I
guess I miss Mom and our weekly spiritual discussions more than I was willing
to admit to myself.
Today, the first Friday of June, the Gospel was about the
time just before the Ascension when Jesus and the Apostles were on the beach
having a meal (or as Mark Hart says, “having a barbecue”.) Jesus asks Peter 3 times “Do you love me?” (John
21:15-19)
Many people suppose
that when Jesus asks His question of Peter three times it is to balance out the
three times that Peter denied Him, but maybe it is more a matter of Jesus
driving home His point?
My own reading is that if we really love Christ, and not just in words, we need to care for the members of His flock in all their variety --- the ewes, the lambs, and even the rams --- and in taking care of their needs, whatever they might be. We must care for those who think they are poor and those who think they are rich, for those who believe themselves strong and those who are sure they are weak. And we must care for those who are satisfied that they are serving God and those who don't care.
We must go into their loneliness, their self-condemnation, their sin, their poverty in religious matters as well as physical ones, and their ignorance of God's absolute and unfailing love and forgiveness, and we must there touch their lives and heal them, nourish them, and be the Good News that Christ calls us to proclaim.
As the hymn of the same title says, "They will know we are Christians by our love," an idea straight out of John 13:34-35. Do we in fact love any and all of God's children? In every circumstance? Of course not.
But are we trying?
My own reading is that if we really love Christ, and not just in words, we need to care for the members of His flock in all their variety --- the ewes, the lambs, and even the rams --- and in taking care of their needs, whatever they might be. We must care for those who think they are poor and those who think they are rich, for those who believe themselves strong and those who are sure they are weak. And we must care for those who are satisfied that they are serving God and those who don't care.
We must go into their loneliness, their self-condemnation, their sin, their poverty in religious matters as well as physical ones, and their ignorance of God's absolute and unfailing love and forgiveness, and we must there touch their lives and heal them, nourish them, and be the Good News that Christ calls us to proclaim.
As the hymn of the same title says, "They will know we are Christians by our love," an idea straight out of John 13:34-35. Do we in fact love any and all of God's children? In every circumstance? Of course not.
But are we trying?
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