Love IS all there is!!

Mahatma Ghandi said, “If more Christians were like your Christ, there would be more Christians.” 2000 years after Christ, only 30% of the world’s population are Christians (over half of those are Catholics). Considering the astounding “Good News” we should be spreading and Jesus’ instruction to “baptise all nations in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit”, not overly impressive.

Do others see us as Christ-like disciples? Jesus tells us that it is “by this love you have for one another that everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (John  3:31-35). “All that matters is love, a love that is expressed most purely when we sacrifice ourselves for the well-being of others. When we love in this way, we show that we are disciples of Jesus who laid down his life for us”. (St Paul’s Sunday Missal). Do we love like Him? Otherwise, we’ll never spread the Good News.

Can others see in us a love, not merely of the “worthy” or those who love us, but the love Jesus showed for the least (even haters)? Love for young people off the rails, street people and addicts, homeless, rough sleepers, sufferers of domestic violence, trafficked humans, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, prisoners, dysfunctional families, those grieving at loss and dislocation, many indigenous people, disabled and ill brothers and sisters.

All humanity, especially the poor, ragged and disadvantaged are precious to Jesus, as well as the misguided, ignorant, and plain sinful. He loves them all and calls us to do no less. Catholics today enjoy infinite opportunity for self-sacrificing love and plenty of ways for “sleeves rolled up” engagement.

Others should witness Jesus’ disciples faithfully self-sacrificing in our daily lives when we work with one or two of the many Catholic social service organisations. Don’t just think about it – do it!

Deacon Mark Kelly