FOR ALL YOU WHO ARE WONDERING WHERE THE REFLECTION WAS, NO, IT WAS NOT THAT I WAS HOB NOBBING WITH THE NEW CARDINAL FROM HOUSTON (A MAN I TAUGHT IN HIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR). THE REFLECTION WAS WRITTEN AND MY WEAK MIND THOUGHT I HAD POSTED IT. PART OF THE RECUPERATION EXPERIENCE, DEAR FRIENDS.
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The gospel today (Jn 15:9-27) is one of those seemingly private sessions Jesus enjoyed with his disciples. The theme of his "homily" or "class," is simply but dangerous. Why would Jesus feel the need to tell his disciples to love one another? Simply to teach them that his message, his presentation of the invisible Father, is founded and thrives upon the virtue of love. Unfortunately for us today, the message has been worn down by repetition, diluted by centuries of the abuse of this great virtue and diminished by a culture driven to be doing almost ceaselessly and to be amassing possessions -- both unhealthy habits that distract us from treasuring, truly wanting, a fullness of love, especially the love of one another.
The contemporary thrust to do and to have has created a veneer many consider to be love. Why would so many people be so hurting? Why would so many families be so divided? What else but a true understanding of love, the love God is for each person and the practice of genuine love for one another can be a cause for the human pain so many endure in simply living in today's world.
Today the Church celebrates one of the great Francis saints, Francis de Sales. He is a man who did much for Catholicism when Calvinism was dividing peoples and nations. He, as Bishop of Geneva, did much to strengthen the faith. Likewise he, along with Frances de Chantal, helped found the Order of the Visitation Sisters -- neighbors to our parish at Visitation Convent, a long-time house of monastic tradition and prayer in Georgetown.
Today let us not forget to express our love for one another, particularly the Sisters at Visitation Convent and all those who work and study at Visitation Academy. Let us remember writers, especially those who use the "blogging posts" to bring the message of God's love for them. St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of journalists and other writers who, hopefully, use a God-given talent for the service of God's people.
