1st John starts our readings off with,
“Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.”
It is just as much a bold and stark statement today as it must have been then. For many call themselves Christian yet do not keep the commandments Jesus handed down to us.
—To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and the second, which is like it, to love your neighbor as yourself.—
We can delude ourselves into thinking that to love God is some superficial or casual affair where we know who he is, recognize intellectually our need for him, even recite his prayers. But to love God with our heart and soul and mind means everything in our life is scrutinized, chosen, examined. Does all things and people support our pursuit of our relationship with God? If not, then it is either cast out or recognized for what it is and we strive to not allow it to impact our love for God.
Love of God is a decision as much as it is a heartfelt desire. In fact the decision is usually in place first. Then discipline and commitment intertwine in our will to resolve to choose Jesus and his teachings and way, above all else, in our life. It is not a casual affair but becomes the foundation of our life.
To love God is to devote ourselves to him and question every day and minute if what we are doing and saying, aligns and compels us to grow closer to him.
There are many avenues and journeys toward that end and everyone has their own path toward joining the way Jesus gave us. But we can no longer walk through life thinking we are faithful followers if we do not put him first above all in our life.
When we make progress we will know for the second commandment is interlocked with the first. If you love God first in your life you will love others as brothers and sister and always help them, be there for them. And if you love, truly love all people, as children of God precious to God, you will love God.
Today we are reminded in the Gospel that,
“Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.””
The world will not follow us on this journey to love God and others. It will contradict that love and the good news. All will be visible. Hearts will be revealed and any delusion we believe will crumble.
We either live as Jesus taught us or we will find ourselves being told, he does not know us.
Discipleship is not a part time hobby. It is not undertaken lightly or casually as if it is just another part of our world. For the faithful and successful follower of Christ seeks to be holy and close to God in all things. Each day is dedicated to him and his will. The true disciple is relentless in their pursuit of God.
How would those that know us, those that work with, even our family, describe our relationship with God?
Deacon Tony Pynes 
Leave a comment