Does our fear get in the way of our love?
At first glance, our readings this week might seem
dark. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus speaks of
a time of fear-filled, chaotic upheaval, the second coming, a time when we will
be called to stand before the Son of God who will judge our behavior, our very lives. But Jesus also encourages his listeners not
to let fear stand in the way of faith:
we are meant to look forward to this second coming because, as
believers, we have faith in God's mercy.
We can live, then, in hopeful expectation of the parousia. Jeremiah's
prophecy is also ultimately one of hopeful expectation: that the people of Israel might be a whole
people again, united and unified. In
order for this to happen, though, they must live in expectation of God's
mercy: he shall do what is right and just in the land. Living in right relationship, the people
shall themselves receive a new name: justice.
But what does it mean to live in right relationship while
we're waiting for the return of the Lord?
Psalm 25 suggests we should follow the path God follows: Teach
me your ways, the psalmist prays.
What are those ways? Kindness, constancy, faithful love: these are all ways of behavior, ways of being
towards one another, that help us to live the love God offers us, love we can
then offer to the world. This is the
crux of Paul's message to the Thessalonians: And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more... Universal
love is a reflection of Christ, the universal king; the call of Christianity is
to manifest this love for all -- which we can all do, for all, so long as fear
doesn't get in the way of our love for other.
This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
Image source: Wordle
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