Love is the supreme gift

January 31, 2019
Father Charles Puthota
 
Years ago, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass at St. Thérèse of Child Jesus’ Carmelite Convent in Lisieux, France, and of visiting Les Buissonnets, the house she grew up in, now turned into a sacred museum. While there, I was touched by a mysterious presence and power. Ever since, Thérèse has been one of three most favorite saints for my personal reflection, inspiration, and guidance.
 
In the last chapter of her “The Story of a Soul,” Thérèse does a lectio divina of Paul’s 1 Corinthians, Chapters 12 and 13: “I knew that the church has a heart, that this heart burns with love, and that it is love alone which gives life to its members. I knew that if this love were extinguished, the Apostles would no longer preach the Gospel, and the martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. I understood that love embraces all vocations, that it is all things, and that it reaches out through all the ages, and to the uttermost limits of the earth, because it is eternal. Then, beside myself with joy, I cried out: ‘O Jesus, my love, at last I have found my vocation. My vocation is love! Yes, I have found my place in the bosom of the church, and this place, O my God, thou hast thyself given to me: in the heart of the church… I will be love! ... Thus I shall be all things…’”
 
The word of God this Sunday draws us to love as the core of our life and as a potent antidote to anger, hatred and divisions prevalent among communities and nations. The last two Sundays also we read 1 Corinthians about the one Spirit lavishing richly diverse gifts; the one body of Christ with many parts. This Sunday it is about the so-called “hymn to love,” a wedding favorite. People can boast all they want about their gifts and roles in the church, but to a Corinthian church torn by strife and rivalries, Paul asserts – and as Thérèse joyfully discovers – that love is the supreme gift which will endure and without it, life is futile. A timely warning indeed to the church of today besieged at times by divisions and distrust. We are to transcend our issues and disagreements only through love.
 
A similar theme of God’s incredible love in the context of conflict and enmity is echoed in Jeremiah. He is loved before being conceived, dedicated, appointed and missioned to speak God’s mind and heart to Judah. God promises Jeremiah that he will protect him and preserve him even while he has to speak a message “against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people.” He is contradicted and hated by many, but he still keeps a sensitive soul and a tender heart and from time to time pours out his heart to God in intimate conversations (Chapter 20). The prophet is rooted and grounded in God’s love, which sends him to share that love for the people called to new life.
 
Jesus’ prophetic mission draws opposition in the Gospel. Having proclaimed his manifesto, Jesus now announces that it is being fulfilled in people’s hearing in the synagogue. He is anointed and sent by the father to liberate and release people from the bondages of sin, evil and death – and lead them to the fullness of life, not just for one nation but for the whole world. Jesus experiences a vicious rejection, but his mission will continue to embrace everyone, including the gentiles, sinners, tax collectors, and all who are in need of God’s grace. Anchored in his Father’s love and the love for those he is called to save, Jesus will proceed from this violent encounter to Capernaum from where he will proceed “to the other towns” as well to preach, heal, oppose evil, while being united with his Father through a life of prayer. Jesus will suffer, but he will conquer through love.
 
Father Charles Puthota is pastor of St. Veronica Parish, South San Francisco, and director of Pastoral Ministry for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.