​Father Chris – THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY ORD TIME 2021 - Homily

 
“Christianity Is Love”

There is so much we could say about ‘love’ that it could take hours and weeks.

We could talk about the different kinds of love, the different expressions of love, meanings of love. But the kind of love Christ proclaims is at the heart of it self-less.
 
Today’s gospel passage is unique in 2 ways: 1) Except for Nicodemus, it is the only time we witness a pharisee, a scribe, in public agreement and solidarity with Christ.
2) It is critical to the meaning of what Christianity is. The question the scribe asked was quite common among the rabbis of the time, considering ‘The Law’ was made up of approximately 613 commandments. Christ responds with two Laws: Deuteronomy 6.4 and Leviticus 19.18 which only referred to fellow-Israelites. But Christ refreshes, renews and combines the two Laws into one, particularly emphasizing that love of neighbour must embrace even your enemies. This ‘Great Law’ would become what identifies and defines Christianity today.
 
We often think of these 2 laws of love strictly in terms of 2 experiences of personal satisfaction, humble as our offerings of love might be: 1) First, of myself loving God as I should, and savouring the inner joy which comes from that; 2) Second, again of myself, but now loving my neighbour, and the positive fruits and inner joy which come from loving my neighbour, including people I can connect with and relate to, as well as those I do not, to the extreme perhaps my ‘enemies’, again, a requirement of the great commandment of love as Christ teaches us. Let love grow!
 
However, we may not consider enough the ongoing reverberating effects, the ripples of love which we can cause to vibrate throughout others because of the love, charity and affection we have shown towards them. In fact, this is almost the most important reason for loving God and others: friend, neighbour or even enemy. It is the sowing of love in each individual we encounter which brings forth the power of love in a world desperate for its healing and comforting effects.
 
In Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Miserables, an early 17th C story which has resonated with audiences with acclaim both on stage and in cinema, reveals the consequence of loving our neighbour, someone we may not even know who could be destitute.  
 
The main character, Jean Valjean, has just been released from prison, serving 19 years for stealing bread for his family. An unkempt, angry, and bitter ex-convict, he looks desperately for shelter. But a kind bishop gives him food and lodging, using his finest silverware. Later, Valjean steals the silverware and runs into the night.
 
After being stopped by police and questioned, Jean claims it is a gift. Surprisingly, the bishop is overjoyed to see Jean, and gives him the silver candlesticks as well. This remarkable act of love by the bishop transforms Jean himself into a man of love and kindness who will spend the rest of his life in love and service to others.
 
Do we have the ability to love and serve others like this? Some may actually say, “No, I have to be honest! I’d be too afraid to do what the bishop did. After all, who can you trust today, either on your doorstep or on the world-wide-web?.”
 
But loving others is our prerogative as Christians. We are not to judge, nor choose whom we want to love. That is our greatest enemy: hypocrisy! In an interview a clergyman was asked, “What’s it like to be Christian?” He said, “It’s a blessing, but it’s also hard work. Being a truly loving Christian is not for ‘sissies.”
 
Jesuit priest, Flor McCarthy, wrote many of us might have problems with a certain person: neighbour, family member, community member. So, what can we do? Flor says: we should avoid any kind of retaliation, because it only makes things worse; we should keep communicating with the person, even if just smiling and greeting them; we should pray for them, to assist them, and keep fear and anger at bay.
 
So, these 2 loves require 2 responses: 1) to know what true love is: true love of God, and true, unconditional love of others 2) and then to practice them both.     
 
A song says, ‘Love Is A Many Splendored Thing’. Indeed, love is, because love is God himself. As Christians, we must aspire to respond to Christ’s 2 important laws of love, especially since Christ tells us love is more important than sacrifice.
 
Love is indeed ‘what makes the world go round’. Let us sow love in every aspect of our day and enjoy the harvest of inner, good feelings and feel the reverberating love which, we may not even know, is blessing, fortifying, and healing our communities.    
    
– Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario