They Will Know...

Gospel: John 13: 31-35

"This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

So much is said and written about "Catholic identity" and being "authentically Catholic."  In such musings we find the following mentioned: wearing of religious articles like medals and crosses, distinctive religious garb for clergy and vowed religious, abstaining from meat on Sundays, attendance at certain types of liturgical functions.  Absent from any of the musings is the one and only criterion Jesus uses above - loving others as Jesus loved us.

To be known as a follower of Jesus is to love as he loved.  We are to heal and care for those who are sick and suffering.  We are to help deliver those held captive by their demons.  We are to nourish others at table in body and soul.  And we are to do all these things for everyone without exception just as Jesus himself did.  This alone is the identifying mark of being a Christian - not special garb or jewelry, not particular disciplines or liturgies.  It is solely in loving others as Jesus did that makes us authentic disciples.

Perhaps if we put away the props and superficial externals and attend to the needs of others in love people might actually recognize the reality of Jesus in the world, the fact that God is indeed love.  Perhaps they do not now have this recognition is because we wrap ourselves in the superficial and exude hatred rather than love.  Today is the day to put away the trinkets and the hate, and to loveothers as Jesus loved us.