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Father Rick Bolte's Homily |
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C: FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER |
2010-05-02 | |
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I don’t think I need to remind anyone
that next Sunday is Mother’s Day. Even if you forgot that it is the
second Sunday of May, all the advertisements in magazines,
newspaper, and TV would surely remind you. We are, of course,
invited to buy something for Mom. The more expensive the item, the
more we are told to buy something that shows, “We really care!” and
“Show her how much you love her!” Certainly gifts are expressions of
our love and mothers do like receiving nice gifts showing our
appreciation. But a gift once a year is not sufficient appreciation. It’s almost part of our culture that we want to fix things quickly and be done with them. We shy away from commitments future expectations. Yet to love our mothers and indeed to love anyone is more than onetime gifts no matter how great the gifts. Jesus calls us to love one another as he has loved us. This is his new commandment. He gives us this command as part of his farewell address in John’s Gospel. Here too we need to remember that love is not a onetime gift. From time to time the plight and issues of particular groups of people are highlighted before us. For example we hear about the victims of the earthquake in Haiti or the recipients of our grant for the month at St. Tim’s. We make a gift of time, talent, and/or resources. But our onetime gift doesn’t fix the problem. Our challenge is to love all the time and not just once. Like with our mothers, because it is in our hearts we find other occasions to express our love in an obvious manner and always try to live respectful of her and all she means to us. So it is with all people we are to strive to love. From time to we do something special but we always live with respect for them as human beings and members with us in God’s family. There’s an old saying, “If momma’s not happy, nobody’s happy!” However to love someone does not mean we seek to keep them happy all the time. A married couple’s goal as partners is to reveal God to each other through word and action. This isn’t about always being happy because sometimes facing the truth is difficult. But the compassionate concern reveals God’s love even when it isn’t easy. Sometimes we interpret love for others as giving them whatever they want or simply trying to make them happy. But just as with mothers, this is not the case. It requires compassionate concern along with whatever challenge might be needed. Jesus had time for people in need. He spoke to people’s heart more than just fixing an immediate need. Let us love one another as Jesus loves us. |
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