Abide in Caritas (God’s love)- John 15:9-17
Dear friends,
We often keep love airy, linking it to emotions, feelings, superficial beauty. In today’s gospel, Jesus is talking about something deeper, fuller, and concrete. It is loving and serving even those whom I find difficult to love. It brings us back to the Last Supper when Jesus got up and washed the feet of his disciples: Do this in memory of me, he said. Concrete care to others in need; patience with those who are difficult; holding back judgment when I’m provoked; forgiving enemies; seeing others as neighbors - this happens when I allow myself to be loved by God, first.
Remain in my love. Love as I have loved you.
In Jesus Christ, we discover the full meaning and expression of love. He came on account of God’s love for us (John 3:16) and suffered and died so that we can have life and be healed (1 Pet. 2:24). From this viewpoint, we understand that love goes beyond all the attributes we give to it. It is not only selfless, it is also sacrificial.
In love, we discover one important CONSTANT- and that is giving (letting go). That means to love is to give (to let go): for instance: “God so loved the world that he GAVE his only Son”. The lover must be ready to let go of something of great value.
Strong emotions and sentiments may accompany sacrificial love but they are not in themselves love. They are simply modes of expressing love. It is a commitment of the will that keeps sacrificial love steadfast and unchanging.
- Sacrificial love is patient and shows forbearance even under provocation.
- It is steadfast despite opposition and difficulties.
- Sacrificial love is sympathetic, considerate, gentle, and kind.
- This love is not jealous.
- It works for the good of the other.
- Sacrificial love is a strong commitment to help and appreciate others
- It is always ready to give rather than to receive.
Sacrificial love is what breaks down the walls of enmity, the walls of hatred, the walls of apathy, the walls of disunity, the walls of xenophobia, and the walls of segregation that have torn families, communities, races, and nations apart.
To remain in Christ’s love and to offer ourselves in love is thus not an option, but a grave duty we must all perform. In fact, it is a necessity.
As the world desperately yearns for it, we have no excuse but to love one another unconditionally. We must abide in this love. And whether we are aware of it or not, this love is this fundamental phenomenon that has driven all of us to help needy children who are not "our own." We know this love. God's love. Caritas.
Today, as a Caritas for Children family, let us be attentive to the Lord’s command that we must love one another as he loved us. Today, let us abide in His love, and in turn, love others as God continuously and continually loves us.
Fr. Frank Kyazze Lwanga