“Falling in love with the Lord and remaining faithful to the love-life in the Lord!”

(Based on 1 Tim 4:12-16 and Lk 7:36-50 – Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time)

A catechism teacher, while distributing answer scripts of the Catechism Exam to her 3rd Standard (3rd Grade) students told them:

“I am so happy that most of you have done so well for these exams.

But remember, all these classes and exams are in preparation for the Bigger Examination.”

And she went on to explain:
“This Bigger Examination – the General Examination – is the Last Judgement Day!

And as St Robert Bellarmine tells us, the School of Christ is the School of Love.

In the last day, when the general examination takes place…
… Love will be the whole syllabus!”

Yes…
… All of us are called to grow in this understanding and practise of the “syllabus of Love!”

Have I “fallen in love” with the Lord and remain faithful to the love-life in the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day presents a wonderful expression of love towards Jesus and the subsequent acknowledgement of this gesture of love, by the Lord of Love!

The incident of sinner woman, washing the feet of Jesus in the house of Simon the Pharisee, ends with a statement, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” (Lk 7: 49)

The answer of this statement is probably what is expressed by the woman in her gesture of love.

Jesus was a guest in the house of Simon, the Pharisee.

It was probably one of those meals whereby a respected and wise host would invite several of the socially elite to dine with an important guest.

At this meal, they would recline along the table, laying down on their sides, to eat.

The meal would also involve a series of debates and discussions, over many crucial issues, centred around the special guest.

However, suddenly, out of nowhere, a lady enters in the scene.

It was one of those highly embarrassing and highly disgusting moments for the Host!

The lady was a known sinner…
… In the society, she had earned a notorious reputation

Her very presence was causing terrible insult.

Her ensuing action…

wiping the feet with the ointment from the alabaster jar
wiping them with her hairs
kissing them with tenderness
… caused still further damage to the reputation and honour of the host and his Guest!

However, what followed later, was like adding salt to the wounds of the host…

Jesus publicly recognizes, acknowledges and appreciates the action of the sinful woman.

He says, in solemn tones of approval of the action of the woman, “… She has shown great love! The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little” (Lk 7: 48)

Jesus had openly and publicly acknowledged the tremendous and daring love of the woman for Him!

And in doing so, she had given an answer to the question that would be put forth later, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”

Her actions of love gave an answer…
… that He was the One worthy of receiving the highest and deepest love – one that counts no humiliation or hardships!
… that He was the One deserving the sweetest and the most priceless affections of our hearts – one that is limitless!
… that He was the One meritorious of every expression of endearment and fondness – one that is passionate and pure!

What is my level of love for the Lord?

Am I courageous to express my love for Him in actions that trespass humiliations or shame or guilt?
Am I bold to show that I truly love Him by living a life in accordance with the virtues of the Gospel?
Am I credible enough to say that I really love Him by extending His care to all those who are in need?

As we go about doing all our works, let us not fail to prepare ourselves well for the bigger examination – the general examination – The Last Judgement Day!

And let’s remember that when this general examination takes place…
… Love will be the whole syllabus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
GOD’S SPIRIT AND WORD IN THE TIME OF THE PROMISES

From the beginning until “the fullness of time,” the joint mission of the Father’s Word and Spirit remains hidden, but it is at work.
God’s Spirit prepares for the time of the Messiah.
Neither is fully revealed but both are already promised, to be watched for and welcomed at their manifestation.
So, for this reason, when the Church reads the Old Testament, she searches there for what the Spirit, “who has spoken through the prophets,” wants to tell us about Christ.
By “prophets” the faith of the Church here understands all whom the Holy Spirit inspired in the composition of the sacred books, both of the Old and the New Testaments.

Jewish tradition distinguishes first the Law (the five first books or Pentateuch), then the Prophets (our historical and prophetic books) and finally the Writings (especially the wisdom literature, in particular the Psalms) (Cf. CCC # 702)