YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER (3)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

HOMILY THEME: LOVE IN DEED AND TRUTH

BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas

HOMILY:

John 15:9-17

A priest was driving home from a party. He had quite a few drinks. A traffic police stopped him and asked, “Father, are you okay?” The priest replied, “Yes, Officer, I’m fine. I just had a few glasses of water.” “But, Father,” the lawman insisted, “your breath smells of alcohol.” The priest had to think of something to say to save himself. With a look of genuine surprise, he exclaimed: “Oh, my God! Jesus did it again!” Of course, the priest was referring to the first miracle of Jesus at a wedding in Cana where he changed water into wine.

Nowadays, many people long to see a great miracle from God. The problems that we face each day seem so insurmountable: economic crisis, natural and man-made calamities, wars, incurable and highly contagious diseases, moral and spiritual decay, and a host of many others. We are hoping God will now intervene and put an end to all these troubles in the world. We need a miracle.

Unfortunately, God may not do it. He has already done His share. It is now up to us to continue His work, and in doing so produce the miracles we need. And Jesus has already revealed to us the miracle-producing formula: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

This may sound to some as something out of romantic movies. Many would dismiss it as a worn-out cliché. But have we ever seriously thought about it… and tried it?

The greatest miracles in our life were fruits of love. The way our parents nursed and cared for us, free of charge, is already a miracle. Stories of heroism and courage, told and untold, abound throughout human history; and countless sacrifices have been offered on the altar of love. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). Indeed, love conquers all. Miracles do happen because of love.

The problem is that people think of love as a subject matter to be discussed, a passing emotion, or just a vague romantic idea. St. John, in his first Letter, pleads with us: “Children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in deed and truth” (1Jn 3:18). Love is an action word. We cannot talk of love without action. And this is the miracle that should happen everyday in this world: when we learn to love in deed and in truth. A simple imagination will show us the great wonderful possibilities if we are able to do it: because of love, enemies are reconciled, warring countries re-establish peaceful and harmonious relationships, families are united and happy, the poor and hungry are attended to, criminals mend their ways, resources and blessings are generously shared among people, the truth is proclaimed, justice and peace prevail, kindness and generosity rule in society.

Until now, many would think that this sounds so utopian, so ideal and unreal. But that is because we just do not give it the chance to work. Yet, we must remember that at one point in human history, this was proven true and doable. The early Christians did this and it was recorded in the Bible, in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own… There was no needy person among them” (4:32, 34). And more importantly, as Christians, we should be reminded that it is the greatest command of Jesus: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another (Jn 13:34).

The first action in relation to love is obedience to God’s commandments. “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love” (Jn 15:10). The commandments of God are not meant to make our life difficult; rather they are meant to help us practice love more readily. The baluster or handrail on the stairs is not meant to limit our movement, but it helps and protects us in going up and down.

Through obedience to God’s commandments, we show not only our love of God, but also express our renewed relationship with Him: “You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves… I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father” (1Jn 15:14-15). He revealed to us the innermost core of God’s being, which, according to St. John, is love: “Love is of God … for God is love” (1Jn 4:7-8).

A young boy and his doting grandmother were walking along the seashore when a huge wave appeared out of nowhere, sweeping the child out to sea. The horrified woman fell to her knees, raised her eyes to the heavens and begged the Lord to return her beloved grandson. Lo, another wave reared up and deposited the stunned child on the sand before her. The grandmother looked the boy over carefully. He was fine. But still she stared up angrily toward the heavens. ‘When we came,’ she snapped indignantly, ‘he had a hat!’ She had the boy safe and sound, but she still complained of the lost hat.

Life is difficult. Life is full of troubles. But these do not give us reason to complain to God. Rather, as we always say that “necessity is the mother of inventions,” so also difficulties and troubles in life are opportunities to practice and show love, and to prove once and for all the we are true followers of Jesus: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). Love done and practiced is the greatest miracle we hope and pray for to happen in our world today. Then, and only then, will our joy be complete.

Fr. Mike Lagrimas
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Palmera Springs 3, Susano Road Camarin, Novaliches, Caloocan City 1422