Today’s gospel (Jn 14:21-26) contains some important advice from Jesus for his disciples. Throughout the passage, he emphasizes the importance of personal commitment and self-giving when it comes to matters of faith. Jesus uses the subject pronoun “whoever” four times, underscoring the significance of each individual’s role in living a life of faith. Central to this message is the idea of love, which requires a deep and personal commitment to someone or something. When Judas (of course not Iscariot) asks why this message is only being shared with the disciples when it should be proclaimed to the world, Jesus ignores his question, so to speak, and emphasizes the singularity of the message rather than answering the question directly. This language of singularity resonates with me, especially in light of the crisis of belief that Christianity faces today.
Love as a Handmaid of Faith
We are reminded that love has the power to enable us to transcend ourselves and be devoted to a greater cause. This was evident in the commitment of Paul and Barnabas to proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s resurrection, despite the challenges they faced along the way. In Iconium, they were even at risk of being attacked and stoned, but their faith and love for God gave them the strength to flee to safety in Lystra, Derbe, and the countryside. It is a powerful reminder of the role of love in our lives, and how it can help us overcome even the most difficult of obstacles.
In Lystra, Paul encountered another difficult situation. He was able to heal a crippled man who had been listening keenly to his preaching and had shown active faith. The crowds witnessed this miracle and concluded that they were in the presence of gods in human form. They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes”, since he was the one doing most of the speaking. The priest of Zeus even brought animals to offer as sacrifices to the two men. However, instead of basking in the glory offered to them, the Disciples redirected the people’s attention to the history of salvation. They reminded the people that throughout history, God had always revealed himself through his deeds and words. In their sermon, the Disciples mainly referred to nature and creation since the people were more attuned to these as mediums of God’s presence. Paul’s words were compelling, reminding the people of the many blessings that God had bestowed upon them, such as the rains from heaven, fruitful seasons, and nourishment that filled their hearts with gladness.
Whether we approach our faith like the Apostles, who were first-hand witnesses to the life and resurrection of Christ, or like the people of Lystra and Derbe, who seek God through concrete experiences like healing, wholeness, rainfall, and fruitful seasons, readiness to accept God above all things is necessarily connected to love. The Disciples’ love allowed them to recognize God’s presence and work in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, enabling them to share the Good News despite challenges. The people of Lystra believed that God alone is the mighty healer of his people.
Loving God Above All Else
Franz von Baader (1765–1841), the German ‘professor of love,’ believed that love was the key to understanding faith, creation, redemption, and fulfillment. According to him, “love, faith, and religion are intrinsically connected, and by implication, those … who have no, or wrong, ideas about one of these issues are likely to have distorted interpretations of the other two as well.” In the modern world, love and faith are often approached through rationalist epistemologies, which overlook the fundamental principles of givenness, receptivity, and anteriority. Baader believed that love, in the context of faith, requires an equilibrium between rational thinking and creative synthesis with reality, creation, intersubjectivity, and communion. His reflections on love, faith, and religion are based on a strong sense of relationship, where God is not an abstract principle but an equilibrium of interrelationship.
I pray that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will dispose us to open our hearts to embrace God’s love as he manifests it to us, Amen.
References: Joris Geldhof (2017) A paradigm of permeability: Franz von Baader on love, International Journal of Philosophy and Theology, 78: 91-105, 94&98.
[Readings: Acts 14:5-18; Jn 14:21-26]
