Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings speak to me of the deep need we all have for a loving and challenging community. In the first reading from Genesis it is very obvious that God is telling us of our need for community. We hear that it is not right for man to be alone, that we are not made to live this life in isolation. Rather, we are made to share this earth and this life with those around us. We are called to be companions for one another.
Seeing as we are made in the image and likeness of God, it is only natural that we are called to community. God, as the trinity, is community – three persons in one God. God gives us a perfect example of community and love in the image of the blessed trinity. We are also told how we as humans are meant to become one flesh – two becoming one, just as three are one in God.
Genesis shows us how we are called to care for one another, to be stewards for the earth and each other, as part of our call to community. Yet the Gospel shows us another important element of community. The Gospel, where we hear the story of the woman who challenges Christ, shows us the need there is in community for the voice of challenge. Few of us like to be challenged by others, but we all NEED to be challenged by others, so that we can continue to grow. It is imperative that we challenge one another, in love.
My dad’s measure of whether or not two people are good for one another has always been, “she loves him and she can call him on his crap!” And we all need someone to do that – to call us on our crap – our sinfulness, our weaknesses, our pride. One of the true gifts of a spouse is their ability to love us not only despite our sinfulness but through it and out of it. As a spouse, intimate members of a family community, we are called to challenge one another into holiness, not to simply enable one another to keep doing what’s easy.
With Valentine’s Day this weekend there is much talk and attention given to the fluff of love – the feel good romance of love. But this Valentine’s Day we are called to a much higher love. We are called to love one another in a way that will bring our spouse to holiness, bring them to heaven. That kind of love means to be there for one another, to be suitable companions on the journey, as Eve was for Adam. But that kind of love also means challenging our spouse in loving ways, constantly reminding them of our mission to bring God’s Kingdom here on Earth.
- Amanda Grimm