Once two brethren came to a certain elder whose custom it was not to eat every day. But when he saw the brethren he invited them with joy to dine with him, saying: “Fasting has its reward, but he who eats out of charity fulfils two comandments, for he sets aside his own will and he refreshes his hungry brethren”.

The principal undertone of the above story is simply spelled out by Jesus in St Matthew’s gospel: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” (Matt 9, 13). Obviously Jesus was recalling the Jewish Law’s stance that loving one’s neighbour is the concrete proof of one’s love for God.

The book of Leviticus hammers down this point very well when it says: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord” (Lev 19, 18). Whereas St Paul in his letter to the Galatians reiterates the same teaching when he states: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Gal 5, 14).

Before he went for his passion Jesus made it clear to his chosen ones that His Presence in their midst would only be acknowledged if they love one another. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13, 35). When we speak of love we are not only speaking of a feeling or an immaterial attitude, wish or dream. Love entails actions that unfold its saving power. The book of Tobit says: “Those who perform deeds of charity and of righteousness will have fullness of life” (Tob 12, 9). Love needs love to stir it up. And the more love loves the more it is love. This is truly so because God himself, who is love (see 1 Jn 4, 8. 16), is an ongoing love, a love that never tires to love.

Through the prophet Hosea, the Bible challenges us to keep going into the royal road of charity. As “the Lord will never give up his mercy” (Sir 47, 22) so we are called to keep loving always. If God is love can we not say that it is his Will that we love? If the answer is in the affirmative, then why can’t we make St Faustina’s resolution our own: “From today on, I do the Will of God everywhere, always, and in everything” (Diary, 158). The Lord through the prophet Hosea encourages us in this challenging and lifegiving endeavour when he says: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6, 6).

Father in Jesus’ Name help me to love everywhere, always, and in everything. AMEN.

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap

San Gwann