6 April 2022
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The notion that we come from love and are meant to return to love satisfies a deep longing in our hearts. But it is important to bear in mind that this origin and destiny to which Jesus testifies with his life and teachings is universal, meant for all of humanity. As is typical of the Christian message, they are at once words of comfort and words of challenge for we are called to believe this truth and share it.
The words that Jesus speaks in today’s gospel, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me,” can be spoken by any one of our brothers and sisters walking this earth. They are confirmed by the inclusive nature of the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father,” not “My Father.” Dorothy Day once said, “I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”
How do we show love to someone who is hard to love? How much love do we have to show? In our endeavor, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unfree. We must remain true to what we feel and at the same time true to our desires that call us to do more. St. Mother Teresa has advice that is at once simple and transformational: “Do small things with great love.” We need not do everything. Let us remember how we close the Lord’s prayer at every mass: “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.” Yours and not ours. We are but members of this kingdom, grateful to experience and share the love we are given.