Talk about love

 

 

There is a story about those who listened to the sermons that John preached towards the end of his life. ''Can't you change your tune?'' they asked, ''You keep on talking about love all the time.'' But John replied. ''And I will keep on talking about it because it is the most important message that Jesus has for us.'' We have seen that this week when every gospel has been from John with the same message that we find in today's gospel. ''This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.'' (John 15:12-17). Everyone wants to be loved but not every one finds it. Yesterday we remembered Saint Rita de Cascia. She was married at a young age and for 20 years suffered because her husband was a bad tempered, abusive man. By her tolerance and kindness she eventually helped him to become a more gentle person. She is the patron for victims of family violence.

 

A friend of mine was a policeman but he resigned because he said it was so dangerous being called to cases of domestic violence because he was often attacked when the door was opened. We don't have to go to Gaza to see violence, unfortunately there are families near us where children are not being shown the love they need. Mother Teresa said that the greatest loneliness comes from not being loved. As we hear in today's first reading, the meeting of Paul and Barnabas with the community leaders in Jerusalem ended in success. Cultural and religious differences were overcome by acceptance and love. The resulting unity led to joy. ''Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love and where there is sadness, joy.'' (St Francis). ''Help me to ease in some small way by my presence the loneliness of others.''