6th Sunday of Easter / St. Joseph, West Orange - 2009

Loving God is the response of those who believe in God as a loving and faithful Father. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, whose 100th anniversary of death we recently celebrated, was a master of the spiritual life, now a declared Doctor of the Church, and taught well of the love which is the essence of Faith. She taught the "little way" of childlike simplicity and obedience to God as the way to grow in love. She wrote, "It seems to me that there will be no judgment for victims of love, or rather, the good God will hasten to reward, with eternal delights, His own love which He will see burning in their hearts."

The living of the commandments is the love of God in action for the human person. The commandments were revealed by our heavenly Father so that we might understand the practical implications for us of authentic love in word and action. Those who love God long to be holy as he is holy and so live the commandments by holy thoughts, words and deeds. But they do it out of love and not because of fear of punishment. "In the heart of the Church I will be love," St. Thérèse exclaimed upon discovering her true vocation. Though bound by the walls of her cloister, she knew unlimited freedom to reach the heights of holiness through courageous devotion to charity. We too are students of the love of God. The commandments are the lessons by which we simple children will master the love of God our Father in thought, word and action.

(another dimension of love)
One of the many charming stories about lovable Blessed Pope John XXIII tells of the time He was discussing some of the basic truths of our faith with some leaders in the Church. Among other things he asked “What do you think is the purpose of life ?” Several gave answers in line with the usual and correct one, namely: the purpose of life is to know, love and serve God in this life so that we can be happy with Him forever in heaven. Good Pope John smiled but shook his head. Finally he gave the answer he was looking for: “You are right as far as you go - the purpose of life is to know, love and serve God, but that is not enough. We must help others to know, love and serve God, too”.

As with so many other teachings and practices of our Catholic faith, Blessed Pope John had given a basic truth of our religion another dimension, another important angle, an angle which we can apply to what Jesus tells us today. The big proof of our love for God is keeping God’s commandments. We do this, not as servants but as friends, not in slavish fear but in true affection for the Father. Then Jesus adds “This I command you, to love one another.” One way to love our neighbor is to help that neighbor to love God.

Every time we explain the laws of God to another we are helping that person know what pleases God. Keeping those laws ourselves is even better instruction. Parents are the first and best teachers of being loving by showing to the children what is wrong, what is right, what is pleasing to God, what is not....

Today is indeed the Sunday of LOVE. LET US REJOICE AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD.

(Thoughts about Mother’s Day below)
(Mother’s day) Today is special because the Church invites us to love God, to help others love Him. My friends, talking about mother hood is never ended. Mother is the eternal spring of love, kindness, care and sacrifice. On this special day I am thinking of my mother. I never forget those evenings when she came back from a long night, trying to catch some fish so that we could have some thing to eat that day. I never forget her, soak and wet, only a large hat to cover her head from the tropical downpour. That image is always vivid, reminding me of all sacrifices my mother had done for me, all sleepless nights she spent on a little boat. Whenever! was sick she was there, waiting on me, suffering at every slightest sign of my pains.

Dear young friends, let us rejoice because our mother is still here as the warm shelter of our lives. Take good care of your mother lest one day you regret for having not loved her enough and it be too late. Dear husbands, respect your wives not only as your life companions but also as the mothers of your children and images of your own mothers. Dear mothers, be proud and happy because one of the marvels that God has ever created in this world is the HEART OF THE MOTHER.


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