“As the Father loves me,
so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
I first
saw the painting A Girl and
her Duenna by Bartolome Esteban Murillo when I was a student in
Washington DC. I fell in love with the child. Whenever I get back to DC I visit
her again. I have aged; she has not. If anything, she seems to get younger. I once
thought she was about twenty; she looks more like thirteen now. I love her today
more as a grandfather than a suitor but in either case I find her irresistible.
Jesus’
words in today’s gospel also retain their youth. Wisdom ever ancient, ever new
does not age.
The
challenge is to hear it afresh; to set aside whatever weariness and
disappointment and frustration the command seems to have collected since we first
heard it. Old stories of hurt and anger cling like the barnacles, teredos and
algae that bearded wooden sailing ships. They drag against the gallant winds of
the Holy Spirit. “’Love one another?’ Oh, not again.”
The
Church was not old when Saint Peter and his band of brothers nominated Matthias
to replace Judas Iscariot. But they knew frustration, fear, failure and
disappointment. The Holy Spirit of Pentecost had not yet come upon them when
they decided to fill out the number of twelve. What they were supposed to do with
their reconstituted organization was not yet clear.
God
would show them the way; God would provide the courage, wisdom, youth and
energy to speak a word that would rouse them. In the meanwhile, God would
provide a twelfth apostle.
Some
people say, “Blood is thicker than water.” but the Lord has made Baptismal
water more binding than blood. They also say, “You can choose your friends; you’re
stuck with your family;” but the Lord elects our companions in the Church and commands
us to love one another.
The
Spirit makes it happen. She is the dancing bride who calls us out, makes us
smile, and embraces us all in her love. Like Murillo’s girl, she laughs us into
life again.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.