“I give you a new commandment love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” – John 13:34
Freedom to Love Copyright John M. KIngery 2012
We live during challenging time full of changes, conflict and transitions. As people of faith and good will, we are called to respond to those challenges as Christ would with love. Christ gave us a new commandment that of loving one another.
I read, prayed and reflected on what has been written about “fortnight for freedom” requested by the bishops. What does freedom mean in this context? I believe it means the freedom to love as God call us to. As written in Deuteronomy 6:5 and spoken by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, 39 – “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with your whole mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
This period from June 21 – July 24 can be a time of time of sharing and celebrating what we do in our faith and broader community. An event focused on our love of God expressed through our love for all humanity, not legality, partisanship or politics – a “fortnight for freedom to love”.
Reflect and share what you and your community are doing and can do to be more loving and caring for all. My own parish of St. Juan Diego along with 9 other churches began the Faith Café’ ministry (www.faithcafeor.org) in 2005, the ministry has served over 50,000 meals to those in need in Washington County. Our St. Vincent DePaul chapter is regularly distributing nearly 5 tons of food per month. There is indeed a need in our area and most likely where you live.
Reach out to those in need and work to address the causes of poverty and hunger!
Social Justice Theme
Dignity of the Human Person – Do not rob the poor because they are poor, nor crush the needy at the gate; For the LORD will defend their cause, and will plunder those who plunder them. (Proverbs 22:22-23)
Corporal Act of Mercy
Feed the Hungry – “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” (Matthew 25:35)
Peace,
John