Freed for Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer guidance to our actions as loving friends of Jesus.

collective consciousness

The Acts of the Apostles tells the message from the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem to Gentile followers of Jesus about rules they need to follow.

Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).

In the Gospel from John, Jesus commands us to love one another as He does to His friends.

* [15:13] For one’s friends: or: “those whom one loves.” In Jn 15:9–13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapaō. In Jn 15:13b–15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileō. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean “to love”; cf. also Jn 21:15–17. The word philos is used here.

Tom Purcell imagines being in Judea 2,000 years ago and hearing through the grapevine that an itinerant teacher was drawing crowds, preaching a new order in which sharing love, not acquiring and exerting power, was the divine imperative. Tom’s prayer today is to stop, look, listen, and act.

Jesus doesn’t command people in general, he commands YOU and me and each one of us individually.  Because He commands each one of us, we each are individually accountable. How did we or didn’t we love when we saw someone in need, or heard someone ask for help, or observed a situation that called for a loving response?  It seems to me we can look in the mirror frequently and ask ourselves pointedly – how am I doing with this love command? What little things did I do or not do today, or in the last hour, or even in the last few minutes, that responded to this command?  Did I make someone’s life better by a simple act of kindness? Did I ignore someone by my insensitivity and in doing so make their life a little sadder? How aware am I of my loving, or un-loving responses and actions?

Don Schwager quotes Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD) showing Love encompasses the other commandments.

"This is my commandment." Have you then only one precept? This is sufficient, even if it is unique and so great. Nevertheless he also said, "Do not kill" (Matthew 19:18) because the one who loves does not kill. He said, "Do not steal," because the one who loves does even more—he gives. He said, "Do not lie," for the one who loves speaks the truth, against falsehood. "I give you a new commandment" (John 13:14). If you have not understood what "This is my commandment" means, let the apostle be summoned as interpreter and say, "The goal of his commandment is love" (1 Timothy 1:5). What is its binding force? It is that of which [the Lord] spoke, "Whatever you want others to do to you, you should do also" (Matthew 7:12)."Love one another" in accordance with this measure, "as I have loved you." That is not possible, for you are our Lord who loves your servants. But we who are equals, how can we love one another as you have loved us? Nevertheless, he has said it... His love is that he has called us his friends. If we were to give our life for you, would our love be equal to yours?... How then can what he said be explained, "As I have loved you"? "Let us die for each other," he said. As for us, we do not even want to live for one another! "If I, who am your Lord and God, die for you, how much more should you die for one another." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 19.13)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the amalgamation by Luke of the rules directed to the first century Church communities by the leaders in Jerusalem. Jesus example of Love is laying down our lives for others. Friar Jude explains that, as His friends, Jesus wants us to be the most loving people possible.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recognizes the work of Louis Savary and Patricia Berne who share how Christopher Bache, a college professor, noticed what he called “collective consciousness”. Savary and Berne turn to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin to explain how collective consciousness happens.

Love is the most powerful force or energy in the universe. That power is multiplied in relationships. Love’s potency is released most powerfully among people who have formed a relationship (a union). People who truly unite for a purpose beyond themselves become “differentiated” as they unite and work together in a shared consciousness to achieve their larger purpose.
. . . . In a true relationship, no one’s individuality is lost. It is increased. That is the beauty of Connections.

Friendship with Jesus draws us to seek the most loving response to Divine connection.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/15:22

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john15:29

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2018, February 28). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2018/02/