"LOVE" IS A PRECIOUS WORD
"Love" is a precious word which
we ought to use precisely, and with meaning, never carelessly or cheaply…
One characteristic of true love is generosity, a
generosity that knows no limit.
"Love" is a word that is used so frequently that it has
practically lost its force. The word is also used in so many different senses
that it has almost lost its value. People say that they love their spouse,
their children, their dog, and of course their big, red, Chevy truck!
Actually, "love" is a precious word which we ought to use
precisely, and with meaning, never carelessly or cheaply. We should be prepared
to back up the use of this word with actions. God uses this word wisely and
well. He does not use it in a shallow sense, as do those who are merely
infatuated with each other. Nor does He
use it lightly as we do when we say that we love a good steak. God tells us
that He loves us, and He means what He says.
We know that God has a profound love for each one of us because He has
backed up His words with actions. One characteristic of true love is
generosity, a generosity that knows no limit. Love and giving, when understood
properly, are synonymous. "For God so loved the world that He gave His
only Son" (Jn 3:16). He gave us His all!
Reflecting on today's Gospel, two words come to mind: love and action.
Jesus accomplishes great things through us. He told us that "anything you
ask in My name I will do." We receive great love in our hearts when we
accept Jesus into our lives. Then, with that love, we can truly share it with
our brothers and sisters. We express our love through our actions, such as
works of charity - caring for those who are sick, attending the needs of those
who are without, or just being there to listen to someone who needs to tell
their story. This is when we are truly acting on our faith and truly see Jesus
in others and in ourselves.
Easter invites us to cherish the basic riches of our life in Jesus
Christ. This whole Easter season of fifty days celebrates the gifts of Christ's
power and intimate availability to all of us. Jesus is close and accessible to
us. He gives us the assurance that those who have faith in Him will do the
works He does, and far more. We must never forget how much we can trust Jesus
to accomplish great things through us.
The Apostles are examples for us of the power of Easter faith! Along
with the other disciples at the time of Jesus' death, they were full of fear
and hesitant to act. This changed as they accepted the gifts of the
Resurrection and the power of God's Spirit present in their lives. Jesus had
given the Apostles, these relatively simple people with few skills, the mandate
to preach and give witness to the ends of the earth. And look at how Jesus'
message has spread love and action throughout the world!
In today's Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, "The Lord hears the cry
of the poor" (Ps 34:7a). May we also hear that cry and respond so that our
works may be clearly seen as done in God!