Ordered Love
Jul 29: Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Love, for each other and for God, set us apart from the world, not above it. We still have to participate in daily life, as an example of Christ’s light. Maybe, eventually, we won’t be apart, once we’ve brought everyone to Jesus’ side.
Reading 1
1 Jn 4:7-16
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
God is love. To me, that's sort of an abstract concept, but by bringing in a few other passages, I think we can figure it out.
Jesus tells us that whenever two or three are gathered in His name, He is there, as well.1 He also instructs us to love our neighbor as ourselves.2
If we're gathering in Jesus' name, we're gathering in love. The love between us is not just a gift from God; it is God. That can be at mass, at a prayer meeting, or even a gathering of friends.
We can't see God, as John says, but He remains in us all the same.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11
R. (2) I will bless the Lord at all times.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
In our busy lives, it may seem that we can't praise God at all times. But in fact, that's exactly why it's necessary. Whatever we're doing, whether it's work or fun, keeping God in mind can sanctify our activities.
I read a story about a young man who was addicted to cigarettes. He asked his priest if it was okay to smoke while he prayed. The priest replied no, absolutely not; it's disrespectful. However... it would be permissible to pray whole he smokes.
How we approach God, in love and reverence (a.k.a. "fear), or as an afterthought, matters a great deal.
Alleluia
Jn 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus guides us from this life to the next. We couldn’t see our way without Him.
Gospel
Lk 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."
Jesus doesn’t rebuke Martha because she’s doing something wrong. It’s good to be hospitable to visitors, to serve them.
The problem is letting these temporal concerns detract from eternal ones. Loving God must always come first.