Saturday of the First Week of Lent
In today’s gospel, Jesus invites us to be “perfect” like the Father. As human beings, we are made in the image of God, yet our humanity is filled with imperfections and sin. Jesus recognizes our weaknesses, and calls us to look to Him to know the way to love in the most perfect way.
In the Gospel reading today, Jesus reminds us that we are called to live as children of the Heavenly Father. Not only are we called to love our neighbor, but Jesus insists that we love those who persecute us- even our enemy. Jesus sets as an example God the Father, who loves everyone- good and bad. The Father does not choose favorites, since all are offered the Father’s love and goodness. In the same way, Jesus tells us that we should be “perfect” like the heavenly Father. This lifestyle of love is lived in perfection through the life of Jesus. Jesus loves those who hated Him and killed Him even offering them forgiveness while hanging on the cross. Jesus’ “oneness” with the Father allows Him to be in union with perfect love. Jesus comes not only to show us how to live this way of love, but Jesus also reminds us the importance of being connected to the Father if we want to become instruments of this love in the world.
In the first reading, Moses reminds the people that God is calling them to be His own. God wants to be in close relationship with His people. He desires to make them holy. In response, God’s people are invited to listen to God’s voice and follow God’s ways in order for this relationship to flourish. Since the beginning of time, God created because of love, so God can share His love with all of creation, and in turn all of creation can share God’s love through their being.
This life of love seems challenging. Throughout the ages, there have been people who are so connected to the Source that they live lives reflecting this perfect love. St. Therese of Lisieux is one of these people. At our parish, Fr. Satish is offering a study of St. Therese and her life. Her “little way of love” gives us practical ways to become more perfect in how we love. There are several mindsets that St. Therese suggests are helpful.. "Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love." St. Therese shares that we can find this greater love when we do even simple things with love. Whether it is folding the laundry, smiling at the store clerk and saying “thank you”, or being kind to a fellow co-worker that is difficult, these small acts can be done intentionally with love.
St. Therese also shares, "Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing." When we do things in love, whether great or small, we reflect God’s perfect love. Since God is perfect love, we best reflect God by the way we love in our ordinary lives. The only way that we are able to live this way of love is to be connected to the source of love. Jesus’ life paves the way for us, and Jesus also promises to walk with us on the journey. St. Therese says, "Love can accomplish all things. Things that are most impossible become easy where love is at work." Being connected to Jesus and the Father, provides us the opportunity to allow love to overcome even the most daunting challenges.
So how do we begin to live towards a more perfect love? Prayer is the basis for our relationship with God, so we need to begin there. If every morning we could begin our day and ask God to allow this “perfect love” to live in us, then we begin in the right direction. Using scripture and sacrament to deepen our understanding of Jesus provides us inspiration and guidance along the road. There will be plenty of times when we do not live in love, but each time we choose to think, talk and act like Jesus we will grow a little closer to the perfect love of God.
"Let us love, since that is what our hearts were made for." (St. Therese) God made us for love, and God invites us to be love for the world. May we come to know the deep love that God has for us, and then may we become conduits of God’s perfect love for the world around us.
Loving God, Jesus shows us that Your love is the bond that brings meaning to all life. Send down Your Spirit, so we may recognize that everything we do and say can be an opportunity for love. May our lives be reflections of Your perfect love, we pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline