“Love is of God” by Colleen O’Sullivan

“Love is of God” by Colleen O’Sullivan

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

 

The mountains shall yield peace for the people and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor.  (Psalm 72:3-4)

 

Rombout Van Troyen, Christ Feeding the Multitude, 1649, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

 

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.  By now, it was already late, and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place, and it is already very late.  Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”   He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.”   (Mark 6:34-37a) 

Piety

Lord, as you have loved me, let me love those I encounter today.

Study

Here is a story you won’t read in any newspaper: 

When my mom died, my father was left alone in the house where they had lived for 54 years.  He was becoming forgetful, and it was apparent to all that he couldn’t live alone there without help.  Before my siblings and I could even discuss the situation, let alone develop a plan, the family from across the street came over.  They were originally from Mexico and honestly hadn’t been made very welcome by many in the neighborhood when they moved in.  However, they had become fast friends with my parents, even inviting them to every big family celebration.  They had three little girls, who were always coming over with food prepared by their mother for my mom and dad. Sometimes they even asked my dad if he would meet the school bus and stay with the girls until the mom got home from work.  

That afternoon, that father got down on his knees (to be able to look my dad in the eye) and invited him to come to live with them! We will be your family because your children don’t live in the area.  It isn’t right to be alone.  God didn’t intend people to be lonely.  Please, please join our family.  We will take care of you.  Ultimately, my father decided not to accept their invitation, but I was blown away by their loving kindness.  We invited Elias to serve as a pallbearer at both my parents’ funerals and remain friends with them.

John says love is of God, and when we see people showing love to one another, we are seeing something of God.  Despite all the trials and tribulations last year, the darkness in our world, the divisiveness in our country, the isolation and consequent loneliness experienced by distancing ourselves from others, I know that God is in our midst. I can see God in the kindnesses of others.  Someone in my neighborhood made a tremendous amount of food for Thanksgiving and took plates to anyone who otherwise would not have a turkey dinner.  Left them on the doorsteps and let them know it was there for them to come to take in.  That’s what Jesus did in today’s Gospel reading.  Send the hungry crowd to Burger King or unsuspecting, unprepared farmers in the area?  No way, he said to his disciples.  You feed them.  Gather what’s here, and I will make it sufficient, Jesus said. 

Action

Our Scripture readings today remind us that love is of God.  Whether it’s inviting a widower to make his home with your family, defending the afflicted, saving the most vulnerable children in our midst, or sharing the fruits of your Thanksgiving cooking with anyone who needs a meal, it’s all evidence of people sharing God’s love.  They are signs that God is in our midst!

What one thing can you do for someone today to share the loving-kindness of our God?

 

Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CHRIST_FEEDING_THE_MULTITUDE.png