Jn 15:9-17
People reject or break away from the Church for various reasons. Men and women who say they believe in God or even in Christ reject the institutional Church because of what they see as too many trappings of power among Church leaders. Or because of lack of charity among the Catholics they know. Others are drawn to groups or sects that seem to have the community life and brotherhood that they have not found in the Church’s institutions or organizations.
People reject or break away from the Church for various reasons. Men and women who say they believe in God or even in Christ reject the institutional Church because of what they see as too many trappings of power among Church leaders. Or because of lack of charity among the Catholics they know. Others are drawn to groups or sects that seem to have the community life and brotherhood that they have not found in the Church’s institutions or organizations.
While faith or religion expresses itself in liturgical ceremonies, teachings, organizations, and prayers, what gives it “credibility” is love that is practiced by its adherents. This is more so of the Christian faith. Charity is its distinctive mark—and that by which the Christian is judged. This is emphasized by Jesus in today’s Gospel. He gives his disciples his commandment: “Love one another as I love you.” He referred to it earlier as a “new commandment,” the way people would know if the disciples were indeed his very own (Jn 13:34-35).
What is this love which Jesus speaks about? Is this the sentimental kind that turns the world around, that is celebrated by poets and musicians, the perennial source of themes for movies, the kind that breaks hearts and even lives?
Although experienced on the human level, Christian love is first and foremost rooted in God. “Love is of God” (Second Reading). It is a free gift of God, given to human beings who do not deserve it. The proof of this is that God sent his only Son into the world “as expiation for our sins”—even when we were still sinners.
The Son of God in turn expresses this overflowing love of the Father. “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.” In concrete, Jesus shows his love “to the very end,” holding nothing back. At the Last Supper, he who is “Teacher and Lord” humbles himself and washes his disciples’ feet. This is a parabolic action, the symbol and anticipation of his “self-emptying” on the cross on Calvary.
The Son of God in turn expresses this overflowing love of the Father. “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.” In concrete, Jesus shows his love “to the very end,” holding nothing back. At the Last Supper, he who is “Teacher and Lord” humbles himself and washes his disciples’ feet. This is a parabolic action, the symbol and anticipation of his “self-emptying” on the cross on Calvary.
The measure of this love is the love of Jesus. “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34). The measure therefore is “having no measure at all,” for the love of Jesus is without limit. In concrete terms, it means loving not only those who love us but also our enemies, doing good to those who hate us, praying for those who mistreat us (see Lk 6:27).
Historians often wonder how the Christian movement could spread so rapidly in the pagan Roman empire, eventually replacing its “civilization.” The Christians belonged mostly to the lower rungs of society. They were seen as a dangerous sect, even branded as enemies of the human race. But charity was their distinctive mark. Charity was also the weapon that silenced their critics and won over their detractors. “See how they love one another,” was a constant refrain heard from those who observed them.
Charity was the program that launched us into the new millennium. We are to witness to love, to strive for communion (koinonia) which is the fruit and demonstration of that love. Let us strive to make the Church the home and school of communion, if we wish to respond to the world’s deepest yearnings (Novo Millennio Ineunte, nos. 42-43).