The complete message of the Gospel is founded on one primary principle: the principle of love. Everything proceeds from this love because God is love. The teachings of Jesus can be reduced to love, and we see that in the two great commandments He gives us: love of God and love of neighbor. But how do we love? Jesus teaches us this in today’s Gospel passage by reminding us that we are to love everyone.
It is very easy for us to love those around us who please us. But we are not only called to love them, but to love all of our neighbors. Jesus begins His instructions by commanding love of enemies. Yes, we must love our enemies. We must not hold ourselves back from loving just because they do not please us or we do not like them. To love is not the same thing as to like: to love is an action which must come from our whole being. How can we love our enemies? We do it just as God does, for God loves all of His enemies, all of those who go against His will; in other words, God loves all of us.
The great sign of the love of God is the sign of the Cross. Jesus gives everything He has for love of us even as we demand He be crucified and reject Him to embrace sin. But His love is so immense as to destroy the earthly man of sin and recreate us to love as we were meant to love. We must grow in the practice of this love especially in the upcoming season of Lent. Lent is the sacred time dedicated to acknowledging our sins and growing in God, and we must grow in love as well. We grow in the practice of love through the Lenten practice of almsgiving.
To give alms is not to give and expect repayment or to give and receive a favor in return; to give alms is to give without any consideration for a return except perhaps the eternal reward God desires for us. We are called to share ourselves with our neighbor not just in thoughts or words but in real actions. We not only give to the Church or to the poor, we also give to our enemies. We not only give cash but we give our sweat and blood and tears. We not only give what we have but even go beyond that to give when it hurts. This is the real demonstration of love, because love is not easy.
As we prepare for the holy season of Lent, each one of us must ask: How do I love as Jesus commands me to love? How do I love God more? Do I actually love my neighbor, whoever he may be? All of us are meant to be witnesses of God’s love to the world, to a world that increases in hatred and division and animosity. We cannot wait for someone else to do it; we must be the hands of God that give and show His love to all. If we only love when it is easy, why should we expect anything from the Lord who loved us unto death?
Let us pray, brethren, for an increase in love within us. Let us pray to see Christ in our neighbor and to love Him in them. Let us grow in love during Lent so that we may be the true children of the Father who is compassionate and merciful towards all. Let us draw others to God by our acts of love so that they may also be transformed from earthly children of sin to spiritual sons of God. Let us love in the example of love we see from Christ on the Cross, so that we may be able to enter into the fullness of love that awaits the true lovers of God in eternal life.
BONUS: BULLETIN ARTICLE
FROM THE PASTOR—PRACTICING ALMSGIVING
Continuing our preparation for Lent, we see how it is we ought to practice almsgiving. It is one thing to talk about giving of ourselves, but another to know how it is we can do it. What first comes to mind is, “Where can I give my money?” Yet we should remember that we can and must give more than cash in giving alms. The worn-out phrase “time, talent, and treasure” does have an echo of truth within it. Here are some ways we can offer alms not just in Lent but throughout the entire year.
· OUR PARISH—Charity begins at home. The only way any parish church stays open is by the charity of the people who live there and come to its help. The numerous ways that you all have helped out throughout the years are greatly appreciated, as will be your continued help in whatever way you can give.
· ST. VINCENT DE PAUL—The Society of St. Vincent de Paul works to help the poor and unfortunate who are in need not merely around the world, but in our own back yard. Our parish helps the Saint Cecilia chapter, but we can help the entire diocesan conference in its work of sharing the love of Christ to all. You can see what opportunities are available at svdpnky.org or calling (859)341-1212.
· CATHOLIC CHARITIES—The diocese operates a chapter of Catholic Charities which is involved in a variety of works: from homeless outreach (including Parish Kitchen which offers meals) to child & family services to housing services. See how you can help on their website at covingtoncharities.org or call (859)581-8974
· AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED—We should not only help out in our local area but also as much as we can around the world. The organization Aid to the Church in Need provides a means of supporting various projects throughout the world: from giving Mass stipends to foreign priests as their primary source of income to funding a variety of projects for religious orders or dioceses in need. You can see for yourself what they do and how you can help at churchinneed.org.
Above all, we must not forget the neighbor before us. Do we pray for those who we meet? Are we willing to give when someone asks, even if they seem sketchy? Do I foster charity in all my actions? The ultimate purpose of almsgiving is not self-promotion or self-aggrandizement, but for the increase in charity within us. Let us pray about how we can give of ourselves just as Christ gave Himself completely on the Cross for our salvation, then let us give without counting the cost, hopeful that our reward will be great in eternal life.
