“Practicing love that is humbly obedient, sacrificial and fruitful!”
(Based on Gen 2:18-24, Heb 2:9-11 and Mk 10:2-16 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)
A couple were engaged to each other.
As they were preparing themselves for the Sacrament of Marriage, they were given an advise by an elderly priest:
“I am so glad that you are preparing to commit yourself to each other life.
But just remember a very fundamental aspect of your commitment:
‘If you cannot forgive each other, don’t dare to marry!'”
The priest was reminding them of the “forgiving and sacrificial” dimension of love!
Yes, commitment in our relationship with each other becomes faithful…
… when we practise love that is humbly obedient, sacrificial and fruitful.
Love is indeed, the best medicine for any sickness which cripples human life!
And the reason for this amazing power of love is simple:
True Love flows from the heart of the One who is Love… God!
Genuine Love gushes forth from the fount of the One who is Love Incarnate… Jesus!
The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful exposition of Jesus emphasizing on the importance of unity and faithfulness in the relationship of marriage.
Jesus says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mk 10:7-9)
The Church defines marriage as:
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward…
… the good of the spouses
… and the procreation and education of offspring
This covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.”
Marital love is patterned on the love that Christ has for each one of us…
… and the love with which we are to love the Lord.
We could understand Love, from three dimensions – inspired by the example of the Lord Himself…
- Love that is humbly obedient
Jesus remained in the love of the Father, by humbling Himself and doing His commandments
And He enjoins the same principle of ‘Humbly Obedient Love’ to His disciples too.
The Lord says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (Jn 15: 10)
The Lord’s obedience flows from His willingness to humble Himself, as we read in Heb 2:9 “… Jesus, who for a little while was made lower…”
Do I have a love that is humbly obedient…?
… happy to undertake the various duties and responsibilities entrusted to me and fulfilling them to the best of my capabilities.
… humble to listen to each other’s needs and be sensitive to the concerns and wishes of the other
- Love that is sacrificial
Jesus showed the depth of His love by undertaking the highest sacrifice of His own life.
And he enjoins the same principle of ‘Sacrificial Love’ to His disciples too.
The Lord says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13)
The first man, Adam would recognise the sacrificial unity with his wife, Eve, and would cry out:
‘This at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh…” (Gen 2:23)
Do I have a love that is sacrificial?
… willing to lay down one’s bias and prejudices, dying to one’s evil inclinations, putting to sword one’s bad habits that takes away from God and making adjustments of one’s self-desires to make way for God’s plans in life.
… allowing my ego or selfish desires to take a back seat and bring into focus what is true, right and just?
- Love that is fruitful
Jesus showed the quality of His love by displaying the fruits of compassion, tender mercy, an accommodating heart, gentleness and generosity.
And He enjoins the same principle of ‘Fruitful Love’ to His disciples too.
The Lord says, “.. I chose and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain… ” (Jn 15: 16)
The one who loves, also bears fruits of patience, kindness, self-control and faithfulness…
The one who loves, also lives a life that radiates the fruits of joy, generosity and peace…
Do I have a love that is fruitful?
… bearing fruits that witness God’s love by promoting unity and harmony and attracting many to the tender mercy of the Lord by a life of passion and zeal.
… showering forth fruits that sweeten the hearts of our loved ones and causes greater affections of commitment and faithfulness.
The Lord has loved us tremendously… with a love that is humbly obedient, sacrificial and fruitful.
Each of us is to possess this same treasure of love.
Love binds every brokenness..
Love joins every divorced situation…
Love unites every ruptured circumstance…
Yes, we are called, to “dare to forgive!”
May the prayer of the Psalmist truly be fulfilled in our lives: “May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives!” (Ps 128:5)
May the Lord enable us to be filled from His fountain of love and share His joy and peace
… to a world that is broken and seeks for consolation, comfort and calm!
And help us to persevere in, to preserve, and to promote the Sacred Sacrament of Marriage!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Jesus unfolded all the demands of the Commandments.
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill…… but I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.” (CCC # 2054)
Reflection Capsules 