Power of Love

In Pope Francis’ Missio of 2/2/2021 he states that salvation is a gift of love offered to human salvation. He describes a love with freedom that evokes an equally free response. It decisively changes the way we think such that we want to follow Jesus and act as Jesus did. 

I recalled it as I listened to Paul’s words in the second reading for Sunday 2/7/2021, 1 Corinthians 9 16-19, 22-23. In that reading, Paul talks about the obligation he feels to evangelize. But, he also says he does it freely. Paul recognizes the need to do so freely. 

But, what do people hear? For some, I think they see evangelism as an obligation to prove they are following Jesus rather than a heartfelt response to Jesus’ love. I listened to one online sermon today that gave the homily on the second reading and claimed that evangelism is everything. 

I disagree with that comment. I would say that love is everything. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. My response is to love Jesus wholeheartedly. Does that commit me to evangelism? More importantly, does it commit me to a certain type of evangelism? Too often, it seems people interpret that as “in your face” evangelism.

I know a lot of people who run fast in the other direction when they encounter someone they consider an evangelist. I respect that the response to God’s love can and should be varied. Living through Jesus, the testimony of how we love, speaks loudly. And to many, it speaks more to the heart than professed evangelism.

So, I am glad that Fr. Tom preached from Reading 1 (Job 7:1-4, 6-7) and the Gospel (Mark 1:29-39) today instead of the second reading from Paul. Fr. Tom talked about suffering as a way of learning and understanding what is valuable. If things went our way all the time, what would we value? Job’s love of God despite undeserved suffering. Love. Jesus’ love for the sick and afflicted. Love.  And so, I come full circle on these readings, back to Pope Francis talking about Jesus’ gift of love and the power of love given freely and responded to freely. 

Powerful stuff indeed.