A sermon on Matthew 22:34-40
By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist
What is love? The wisdom of an 8-year-old girl describes love in this way: "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over to paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even though his hands got arthritis, too. That's love."
Overheard conversation between two second-grade boys concerning love: "Do you think you'll ever fall in love?" I don't know. I think if she likes to cook pancakes, then probably."
Jesus tells us who to love and how to do it: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39.) Notice that God wants ALL your heart, mind and soul. He wants you to live your whole life (soul) in complete devotion to Him (heart), striving to understand what God wants you to do (mind). And what does God want you to do? To unite your heart so totally with the Sacred Heart of Jesus in love that it generously pours out love for your neighbor.
The great writer Erma Bombeck wrote just before her death: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” God will judge you on how much love you gave to others with the love He gave to you.
I have a friend of many years who has pancreatic cancer. I first learned about his illness five years ago. I figured, as did his medical team, that he had about 6 to 12 months to live because the cancer reached stage four.
He sent me a text this week with incredible news. He just finished his third scan of the pancreas. He wrote, "Scans were all clean. Three in a row! They say it's a small miracle to come from where I was to now. No change in treatment. On to treatment this morning." Then he added, "Not sure why I have been blessed like this. I work every day to deserve it."
I texted back this response. "I am so happy for you. You have been given a great blessing from God. Use your life to bless others. That is the best way to thank God. God loves you so much there is nothing you can do to earn it or deserve it. All God asks is that you love like He loves you. God has answered for sure the prayers of your dad and mom in Heaven. God gives you this miraculous opportunity to witness His goodness to others. What He has done for you strengthens my faith as I bless sick children who still suffer. I thank God for you."
The very nature of love is so difficult. It forces you to die to yourself. A famous writer described love as "unconditional selflessness."
My Aunt Mary taught me about selflessness. Her son Michael was having difficulty holding on to things in his hand. He would often drop his fork at dinner or a screw driver at work. He went to the doctor who ran tests. Michael was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Eventually, his muscles became weak and shrunk. At this most difficult time in his life, his wife left him. Michael had only one person who could care for him - his mother my aunt Mary. For the next five years she lovingly fed him, washed him, took him to the doctors, gave him his pills and kept him company. She remained trapped in her home for five years. Eventually his soul was freed from his broken body. He passed at a young 52 years old. At the funeral I did my best to comfort my aunt, but she taught me about the meaning of true love. She described the essence of love with only two words: "Love hurts."
When you pray, ask God to grant this one request. "God, please heal those areas of my heart, mind and soul where I do not love you and others as I should."
Pope Francis the Great once wrote: The "Cross of Jesus Crucified is the greatest meaning of the greatest love."
True love hurts, but it's worth the reward God gives to those who live it. Blessings...Fr. Mike.
Fr. Mike Paraniuk is a Priest Chaplain at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. His sermons can be heard live over WLRU Radio 106.9 FM on Mondays at 7 p.m.