“If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate.” Exodus 20:26
Today, we’re reminded that we have a compassionate God – one who is also kind and merciful and slow to anger, but we’re also reminded as Saint Paul tells the Thessalonians, that we’re to be “imitators” of this Lord. As the Lord is kind, patient, merciful, and compassionate, so too are we. Now, if we are honest with ourselves, it’s not an easy task. It’s sometime easier to be arrogant rather than humble; impatient rather than patient; harsh rather than compassionate; and combative instead of peaceful. Afterall, our world often rewards these vices. Yet, our loving God is – if anything – counterculture. He elevates us to a different way of seeing and loving, and He encourages us on a path that not only leads to holiness but to him. Our readings today focus on this call to love, a call that’s actually embedded in us; He’s placed his love in our hearts being that it’s his love in which we’ve been created. And so, this love is a desire that burns inside of us, a love that’s sometimes buried deep in our hearts, screaming to come out, but again, it takes time to harness and express; it’s something that we grow into and consistently practice because it’s the life of God himself that’s inside of us eager to burst out.
Love therefore is a beautiful thing. Love is a great thing. Love is something wants to be shared like the life of God, and when it’s shared and expressed, it brings immense joy and peace into a person’s life. But for this to happen, we must be committed and allow the seed of love in our hearts to sprout and grow. However, we must be committed to be imitators of the Lord who dwells in us by remaining in Christ and as Jesus reminds us today, by always placing God first. It’s only in this way that love can be lived … it’s only in this way that love is properly ordered … it’s only in this way that love can be shared. Turning to this life of God in us, we can’t help but love as God calls us to love.
In Christ
Fr Robert Marquez
Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Community