22 August, Sunday – True Love

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jos 24:1-2,15-18
Eph 5:25-32
Jn 6:60-69

…Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her…

I remember speaking with a colleague years ago about marriage and we were discussing about the challenges that married couples go through. I cannot remember much of this conversation, but I do remember how it ended. “If it doesn’t work out”, she said, “can always divorce. I mean, if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.”

I have heard similar views being shared by many others and, in many cases, these marriages ended up in divorce. Friends caught up in such a situation have often shared the extreme difficulties they faced while being still married. They speak of disagreements and arguments, about rifts in relationships, about how their spouse no longer understood nor loved them, and how both in the relationship finally decided it was no longer worth fighting for.

However, the irony is that when we speak to those marriages who have stood the test of time, we too hear about the same difficulties. They too, go through extremely challenging circumstances which had placed stresses on the marriage. Yet, these marriages survive.

Very often, the difference between the two is this — commitment to the marriage, and commitment to continue working on the relationship — no matter what both parties go through.

In today’s second reading, we read about perfect, giving love. About how Jesus gave of Himself, totally, to His Church and for His Church. The focus is not on Himself, but on us, His spouse. Instead of being concerned about Himself and His own needs, our Lord ministered to the people, and did everything He could for them. It was this selfless love that attracted many to the early community.

Brothers and sisters, imagine if we learned to be just like Jesus in our relationships with our spouses. Imagine what would happen if we gave of ourselves selflessly, never thinking of what was in it for ourselves? What a way to build relationships of true love!

(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)

Prayer:  Father God, we pray that You help us to always focus on those around You and on those around us. Help us to continue to grow in love for others.

Thanksgiving: Thank You, Father, for showing what it truly means to love others.