Saint Jerome Emiliani (Optional Memorial)
Let . . . love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)
For the past three weeks, we have been puzzling over some of Scripture’s most challenging theological subjects in the Letter to the Hebrews. But now that we have come to the last section of the letter, one thing becomes abundantly clear: love is what matters most.
It’s easy to miss unless you look at the original Greek text. First, there is an exhortation to continue brotherly love or philadelphia. Next, there is a reminder not to forget hospitality, or philoxenia, which is love of strangers. The passage goes on to talk about honoring marriage, which, of course, is all about marital love. And finally, it talks about remaining free from the love of material things. Love is all over this passage!
All of these areas of love are equally important, and in many cases they can be intertwined. We might welcome guests into our home, for example, but forget to let our spouse and children know in advance—or forget to consider the impact on our budget. Or we might spend a lot of time caring for one particular family member at the expense of another—or at the expense of reaching out to people who don’t have any family to speak of. No matter what area of our lives we are contemplating, the central question should always be: “Is love present?”
When you need to make a decision, ask, “Will I be showing love well if I do this?” Even if it’s a choice between two good and honorable options, you can ask, “Which of these will make love grow the most?” By thinking this way, you are inviting the Holy Spirit into your decision making and asking him how you can best reveal God’s character to the people around you.
How can you love a little bit more today? How can the Holy Spirit help you be guided by the “love” test? No matter what the situation, it always comes down to love—the love that drove Jesus to the cross, the love that will keep us close to him, and the love that compels us to reach out to other people.
“Jesus, help me to love as you have loved: completely and generously.”
Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8-9
Mark 6:14-29
