23 OTA.11; Ezek 33:7-9; Rom 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20
It is amazing what can happen when people connect. In just 5 years, Facebook has gone from a startup to a social network phenomenon with 500 million users. People have found a new voice, a new way to connect. They have discovered that in numbers they have a power to change governments.
Sure, as with anything, Facebook is not perfect, but it is effective.
In today’s Gospel, we learn that 2,000 years ago, Jesus also told us that there is power in numbers. And he says, Where two or three of you are gathered in my name, I am there among them. (Source: Celebration, 9/4/11)
Let’s see this power in action.
George Anderson was a chaplain at New York’s Riker’s Island prison. One night he was praying with a small group of prisoners over the story of the Good Samaritan. A mentally disturbed prisoner, Richard, was present for the first time. The room was cold, & Richard was wrapped in two blankets. The prisoner opposite him was shivering. At one point while the group was praying in silence, Richard suddenly got up, walked over to the shivering man, and put a blanket around him. Richard’s silent action witnessed not only to Jesus’ words to us about loving others, but also to Jesus’ presence among us when we gather in his name. (Source: Vision 2000, p.322,Link)
Can you recall a time when you felt moved by Jesus’ words or his presence in a group? Listen to those words again, Jesus said,
What a beautiful image: Jesus himself is with us when we come together in his name, sharing our faith in him. But this is more than just a beautiful image that comforts us. It’s also a profound truth that challenges us. If Jesus is in our midst, what does that say about the way we should treat each other?
Gathering “in Christ’s name” is like coming together for the weekly family meal only on a much grander scale. It’s a time to share our lives together with Jesus in our midst. And it’s also a time to remember that we are called to love each other, to take up a concern for one another’s well being. Paul reminds us that ALL commandments are fulfilled as follows:
“and whatever other command there may be, are summed up namely,
don’t have to do anything but will that they join us all in heaven. If we cannot imagine being in a heaven with a certain person, we are in for a long, 2 hard eternity. Remembering the focus on family relationships can help us put into practice Jesus’ teachings about helping a brother or sister.
Our common humanity is a genetic reason to have common concern. Our genes have a common source in the first human-like mother millions of years ago. We also have a single Creator, who is God. We are not only individuals in the same race; we are members of the same family.
The same blood runs through our veins,
the same grace flows through our ancestry.
Here is a son/daughter who has been created for intimacy with God.
Here is someone who is infinitely loved.
Here is someone on whom God wants to pour his grace & mercy.
Since we are in the same family, then Jesus is brother to each of us …our central link to all humans & to God. It is helpful to remember that if Jesus loved each of us enough to die for us, then each of us ought to be worthy of one another’s love.
The ultimate reason for loving others is that God’s presence grows in each of us. Nice theory, you might say, but how does it work in practice?
Let’s see. Think now of a person you dislike, maybe even hate. Now, imagine them as a fellow human, trace their origin through the mass movements of races over the continents. You have the same environment, same heredity, same possibilities. Imagine yourselves as members of the same family. You have mutual upbringings, similar experiences, like minded ideals, familiar vices.
At this Liturgy we gather in Christ’s name, yet, if we cannot grant love to anyone, we should not wonder why the gospel is not working in our life, why God’s love is blocked in our veins. Do not despair. Someone is hoping in us. When two or three are gathered … Jesus is here and Jesus will transform our hearts & minds to his truth…
It is amazing what can happen when people connect. In just 5 years, Facebook has gone from a startup to a social network phenomenon with 500 million users. People have found a new voice, a new way to connect. They have discovered that in numbers they have a power to change governments.
Sure, as with anything, Facebook is not perfect, but it is effective.
In today’s Gospel, we learn that 2,000 years ago, Jesus also told us that there is power in numbers. And he says, Where two or three of you are gathered in my name, I am there among them. (Source: Celebration, 9/4/11)
Let’s see this power in action.
George Anderson was a chaplain at New York’s Riker’s Island prison. One night he was praying with a small group of prisoners over the story of the Good Samaritan. A mentally disturbed prisoner, Richard, was present for the first time. The room was cold, & Richard was wrapped in two blankets. The prisoner opposite him was shivering. At one point while the group was praying in silence, Richard suddenly got up, walked over to the shivering man, and put a blanket around him. Richard’s silent action witnessed not only to Jesus’ words to us about loving others, but also to Jesus’ presence among us when we gather in his name. (Source: Vision 2000, p.322,Link)
Can you recall a time when you felt moved by Jesus’ words or his presence in a group? Listen to those words again, Jesus said,
“Where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.”
What a beautiful image: Jesus himself is with us when we come together in his name, sharing our faith in him. But this is more than just a beautiful image that comforts us. It’s also a profound truth that challenges us. If Jesus is in our midst, what does that say about the way we should treat each other?
Gathering “in Christ’s name” is like coming together for the weekly family meal only on a much grander scale. It’s a time to share our lives together with Jesus in our midst. And it’s also a time to remember that we are called to love each other, to take up a concern for one another’s well being. Paul reminds us that ALL commandments are fulfilled as follows:
“and whatever other command there may be, are summed up namely,
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
What does the commandment to love each other entail? Well, we are not obliged to like people, to enjoy their company or to share their hopes. We don’t have to do anything but will that they join us all in heaven. If we cannot imagine being in a heaven with a certain person, we are in for a long, 2 hard eternity. Remembering the focus on family relationships can help us put into practice Jesus’ teachings about helping a brother or sister.
Our common humanity is a genetic reason to have common concern. Our genes have a common source in the first human-like mother millions of years ago. We also have a single Creator, who is God. We are not only individuals in the same race; we are members of the same family.
The same blood runs through our veins,
the same grace flows through our ancestry.
Love is instinctual. Love is divine. Moreover, ….
God wants you to see that other person through divine eyes. Here is a son/daughter who has been created for intimacy with God.
Here is someone who is infinitely loved.
Here is someone on whom God wants to pour his grace & mercy.
Since we are in the same family, then Jesus is brother to each of us …our central link to all humans & to God. It is helpful to remember that if Jesus loved each of us enough to die for us, then each of us ought to be worthy of one another’s love.
The ultimate reason for loving others is that God’s presence grows in each of us. Nice theory, you might say, but how does it work in practice?
Let’s see. Think now of a person you dislike, maybe even hate. Now, imagine them as a fellow human, trace their origin through the mass movements of races over the continents. You have the same environment, same heredity, same possibilities. Imagine yourselves as members of the same family. You have mutual upbringings, similar experiences, like minded ideals, familiar vices.
How could you not love a vulnerable fellow pilgrim?
Imagine you two as having a common destiny & you will meet the same God in heaven. Even if you really do not like them, at least you can hope that they end life in good hands. What harm to you, what loss in you if they share God’s infinite joy? (Source: Celebration, 9/4/11)At this Liturgy we gather in Christ’s name, yet, if we cannot grant love to anyone, we should not wonder why the gospel is not working in our life, why God’s love is blocked in our veins. Do not despair. Someone is hoping in us. When two or three are gathered … Jesus is here and Jesus will transform our hearts & minds to his truth…
Wherever you see another, there I am.