The Greatest Commandment and Most Difficult Commandment

"I give you a new commandment." For most of us this new commandment is the most difficult. "Love one another" resonates as I am driving on my daily commute enduring erratic driving and wanting to rage as I am frequently cut off by a speeding driver.  "Love on another" as a colleague takes an action that does not fit my expectations.  "Love one another" as I hear the constant barrage of acerbic comments in the current political season.  "Love one another" as I change the dial to listen to sports radio and the commentary is about the latest incident of a sports star.  "Love on another" as a family member makes a hurtful comment. "Love one another" as I hear the latest acts of violence globally and locally.

"If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love." Quite challenging in this day and age. Living in a cave devoid of human contact might seem easier.  However, that is not our calling.  We are called to experience life on life's terms as difficult as it might seem.  Perhaps we are called to spread the Gospel in ways we have not yet realized.  One can never know how an action of love can make a difference.

I think of today's reading from Acts as Paul and Barnabas  ventured into unknown territories to preach the Gospel.  How many times did they encounter rejection and yet persevered under the most challenging circumstances. Love another they did. "Behold, I make all things new," are the words we hear in the Book of Revelation. Forgiving, a word that is shunned in our society, is where a call to love begins for many.

My call to love today begins with those whom I encounter. It is a call to make a radical change in my actions and thoughts.  That change begins with surrendering my self-centered expectations and consider the words of the psalmist "Lord make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths."

The Doubt and Mercy Connection

Years ago I remember a homily given on this day by the abbot of the monastery where I attended Mass.  He said that he fittingly was named Thomas and then proceeded to give a beautiful homily on about the only disciple who recognized Jesus as both Lord and God.  As I contemplated this sermon I wondered what it would be like to make the connection as Thomas did especially after stating his unbelief to the others when he was told of the Resurrection. But there is something else here in the passage that can be easily overlooked, mercy.

Doubt in God and his infinite grade is something that is quite human as well as something that I struggle with daily.  The various tests and pains that are very much are part of daily life can be questioned as if God is out to wreak havoc with our plans.  I can doubt God's existence when the landscape is littered with inhumane acts, vitriol, and hate. But what if Jesus presented himself to me just as he did with Thomas?  Would I readily accept the invitation to touch the wounds which were incurred so that I may have everlasting life? Quite daunting. I am ill prepared for such an experience or have I been blinded by my self-centered humanity.

What I fail to realize is that Jesus is present daily.  He is the homeless man or woman at the exit off the freeway.  He is the person at work who is dealing with tasking situation in caring for an elderly parent. He is person in our family who is difficult.  We do not see Thomas being condemned for his unbelief by his peers nor do we see Jesus rejecting him.  Instead Jesus extends his hands of mercy so that he may believe. I feel that we are being asked to do the same. In the last line of the today's Gospel we are exhorted to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. Doubt is overcome with faith through the Mercy of the Divine.