A sign of love to the world – Dr Nathan Leber
eremiah was called by God to be a prophet, but he had his doubts. He saw himself as a child, incapable of speaking prophesy. The Lord reassures him: “I too watch over my word to see it fulfilled.” Psalm 71, on the other hand, demonstrates a strength in faith and a confidence in God. It is called the old man’s prayer and it is a fascinating Psalm by someone well-versed in Scripture. It possesses an assurance gained through an enduring experience of the divine; a response of gratitude for the love which God has shown. From doubt comes a deeper understanding of faith.
As we question, we learn and develop. We discern our place in God’s song of us. However, today St Paul tells us something interesting. Faith is not enough; acts of kindness and goodness are not enough – they mean little if there is no love. This is not any kind of love. This love encompasses the compassion and the love which we receive from and give to our Creator. It is the word that John uses to describe God: “God is love”. In other words, when we display this form of love, we are not only honouring our relationship with God (being made in His image), but we experience the love that God is – in perfection. However, there are many who still struggle with belief and acceptance.
In the Gospel last week, Christ revealed himself through Isaiah’s messianic text. This week, he announces himself as a prophet, including the prophetic life of unacceptance and ridicule. It is hard to be a prophet and tell people what they don’t want to hear. We all want validation for our choices and station in life. We don’t like change, especially if we are a beneficiary of the status quo. It’s difficult to swallow a different reality…and we can get very defensive about it. In the Gospel, this boils over into aggression. I am struck with the miniature version of Jesus’ passion that follows. In a matter of a few lines, he goes from winning the appraisal of all (as on Palm Sunday) to almost being killed for his revelation of the truth (as on Good Friday).
In bringing this back to love, what Jesus (and Paul) are talking about is a revolutionary love – love one another as I have loved you. It is easy to love the loveable, but as Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, the greatest poverty of all is being unwanted, unloved and uncared for.
We are called to love unconditionally all people, even those who are uncomfortable, and even those we perceive as undeserving or difficult to love. No one is undeserving – all are God’s children, formed in his image, known by Him, watched over by Him, placed in this world in the hope that they will be an integral part of His word fulfilled. Many will be unwilling to hear these words of unconditional love and accept them.
They are Christ’s words, not mine, and as Jeremiah was told, “It is the Lord who speaks!” Are you willing to be a true sign of God’s perfect love in the world? You can start small, but you must at least start.
Dr Nathan Leber
