Love, as He Commanded

January 5 2009

Memorial of St. John Neumann

By Beth DeCristofaro

…we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit whom he gave us. (1 John 3: 23-24)

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee…(then he) went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. (Matthew 4: 12, 23)

Piety

Teach me, Lord, to use everything I am given. Save me from warm feelings that are a substitute for effective action. Lord, you never let me forget that love is shown in deeds, not words or feelings. I could fill notebooks with resolutions, and in the end be further from you. Help me, with your great gift of faith, to choose you rather than myself. (based on http://sacredspace.ie/ )

Study

Jesus withdrew when he heard John was arrested. We might imagine that he withdrew to grieve for his cousin and to ready himself because his time had come. He withdrew to immerse himself in his Father from whom he drew his identity, strength, his message. Jesus was totally human yet able, in the way we too would be able were our faith as great as his, to be connected to the width and depth of the divine.

And Jesus’ first preaching used the same words as John did: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This message, however, was literal. He was at hand. He was the Kingdom and through his words, his compassion and living faith he invited people to join in the kingdom. His first actions were to travel to where the people were and to heal. His message was not a warm fuzzy, even though he certainly granted the wishes of many who were ill or hurt. His message was to act. He called for commitment and putting aside a well-known and well-loved way of life as well as self. He used his capacities as a human man to connect with other men, women and children while at the same time, being God, he superseded his humanity and brought the gifts of God to others. He sent the Spirit to fill us so that we might do the same.

Action

St. John Neumann was a priest and educator. He was a humble man. This story is told of him as bishop: “Once on a visit to Germany, he came back to the house he was staying in soaked by rain. When his host suggested he change his shoes, John remarked, "The only way I could change my shoes is by putting the left one on the right foot and the right one on the left foot. This is the only pair I own." (www.catholic.org) He put his love of God and zeal for spreading the Good News before his identity as prince of the church.

What do we need to learn about ourselves in order to become closer to God? What God-given gift could we use better – or use at all – for God’s glory? What do we need to give up or give away in order to do so? Withdraw, be with God, and come back renewed.