The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time [Cycle C]

Image from ocarm.org

Today we read the continuation of last Sunday's Gospel reading. As we noted then, in this reading we read about the contradictory reactions of the people as discussed on this site and as we have mentioned in our blog last Sunday. According to the same site we mentioned, the Lord Jesus Christ was able to evaluate life's reality on earth in the light of the love of the Father with the purpose of changing it so that it would be in accord with what God wills for us, His children.

The second reading speaks of that love which comes from and is inspired by the Father. It is the love that this world truly needs and which the Father requires of us in order to qualify as His children [see 1 John chapter 3]  and friends [see John 15: 12-17]. Without this kind of love, everything we seem to be doing in the name and for the glory of God would all be useless [see Second Reading]. 

It is so true that being Catholics means a lot for us today, as it meant so much for the Jews, God's Chosen People in their time. It gives us a sense of significance and uniqueness - the same manner which the Jews boasted about before us. St Peter wrote about this in this manner: 

"But you are a chosen race, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a people to be a personal possession to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were a non-people and now you are the People of God; once you were outside his pity; now you have received pity" [1 Peter 2: 9-10].

And yet we must not forget that the Lord has other sheep that must also be led to our community of believers so that there would be only one Flock and one Shepherd [see John 10:16]. The Church is not an exclusive institution. It continually invites and welcomes every person to belong. We must not have that feeling of superiority over non-Catholics for others are also called to belong to God's family. Instead, we must humbly lead others not so much by trying to convert them through eloquent argumentation or illustrious accomplishments, but by showing them the way of love for the Lord Himself said,

"It is by your love for one another that everyone will recognize that you are my disciples" [John 13:35].

Indeed, it is by loving one another that the Lord said that we can become His friends [see John 15: 12-17]. 

Let us reflect on the importance of love among us Christians as our concrete way of proclaiming the Gospel to everyone. It is true that we also have to give an account about what we believe, that is, we have to explain, elucidate, and in times, put forth arguments about our Faith. But let it also be done in accordance with the spirit of Love and not in accordance with mere human endeavor to win over converts or simply to manifest intellectual prowess in debating. Love conquers all. Let us conquer others by our love as the Lord conquered the world not by the might of His divine power but by the greatness of His divine love manifested through the cross.