Do you love me?

By Lou Occhi

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011621.cfm
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 2:13-17

Patricia Heaton, actress known for her roles in Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle tweeted the following:
"Friends, be prepared for social media to be filled with an onslaught of arrogant pronouncements based on breathtaking ignorance of religion in general, Christianity specifically and Catholicism in particular by people who wouldn’t recognize God if He bit them on the bum." 

In John 21:15-17 Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” three times and each time Peter answers “You know that I love you”. In English we have the word love. However, the Greeks had several words for our word love. The major three words for love were erotic, fraternal, and agape. Agape means that you love someone so much that you would be willing to lay down your life for that person. In the original Greek Jesus asks Peter if he loves in the agape manner the first two times. Peter answers that He loves Jesus like a brother (fraternal). The last time Jesus asks Peter if he loves him as a brother and Peter replies that he does love Him like a brother.

This brings us to today’s gospel in Mark. Jesus and his disciples are seen eating with many tax collectors and sinners by the Pharisees. So, the Pharisees asks the disciples why Jesus is eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus overhears the question and responds that “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The interesting thing is that if I want to place myself in the scene, I can easily see myself with the sinners. Unfortunately, I can also see myself with the Pharisees. The sinners in this scene recognize that they are sinners. The Pharisees are blind to their own sins and so take a “Holier than Thou” attitude which is a sin of pride. For today, I will take the part of the sinners.

The Pharisees were quick to look down on the sinners and were more than happy to deal harshly with the sinners if they spotted an infraction. One incident that that I recall is the attempt to stone the woman caught in adultery. After all she was an adulteress and the law clearly states that she should be stoned to death. There is no sign of mercy on their part for whatever her situation was. Jesus intercedes for the woman by scribbling something in the sand and then telling them that he who is without sin should throw the first stone. We don’t know what Jesus scribbled in the sand but I suspect He may have been writing some of the sins committed by those prepared to start throwing stones.

All through history persecution has persisted by those in power over those without power. Today, it appears the most persecuted religion is Christianity. Countries like Iran had large populations of Christians. Now there are virtually no Christians there. Of course, China is one of the worst in the world for persecutions of Christians. Daily they are tearing down churches and arresting those who do not want to worship the Chinese version of Christianity. The Christians in China that want to practice their true faith must do it in secret. If they are exposed they face imprisonment, torture and even execution.

Although this country expresses freedom of religion there are a lot of subtle forms of persecution for religious beliefs. The Southern Poverty Law Center, SPLC, lists organizations that diverge from their view of life in this country. For example, the Knights of Columbus are listed as a hate group by the SPLC. There are continuous attempts by some states to require physicians and nurses to provide abortion services regardless of their religious beliefs. There are bakeries and catering services that have been forced to provide services to organizations and functions that are in direct contradiction to their beliefs. I have even heard people say that Focus on the Family, here in Colorado Springs, is an extremist group.

Probably the most glaring example in recent times is the restrictions placed on religious gatherings that were far more rigid than restrictions put on other businesses. Recently in California Churches were to be shut down because they were considered non-essential but strip clubs could remain open.

Fortunately the Supreme Court has ruled that the restrictions placed on Churches have to be the same as for other businesses. The point is that there is subtle discrimination against the practice of our faith and we have to fight against it. One way is to form small faith groups where we can express our beliefs amongst ourselves and thereby strengthen our faith. I think that we do that here. We can write our state and national congressional leaders and express our thoughts to them. We can vote for those who most closely support our morals and ideals. Another and, most important, is to pray, especially the rosary.

Of course, when we are in mixed company and conversations come up that do not support our beliefs, we should be brave and give our own view on the topic. It does not have to be argumentative or rude but simply our view of the facts. I admit, that this is particularly hard for me but sometimes it has to be done.

Remember that when we stand up for our faith we are doing exactly what our Lord expects of us. In standing up for our faith we are inviting criticism, mockery and sometimes hatred. All of this is a form of martyrdom. Jesus tells us that we are going to face these sorts of things but we must carry on. Jesus stood up for us and we see the horror of what He had to endure. We are called to follow in His footsteps. If we don’t who will?

I am reminded of the story of thirty Franciscan monks in communist Yugoslavia who were taken outside by communist soldiers. They were told that God does not exist and there is no use for them to continue their ministry. They were then ordered to remove their habits. They all refused. The commander took the crucifix from one of the monks and threw it on the ground and stomped on it. He then told them to stomp on the crucifix and thereby choose life or death. Each monk knelt down, embraced the crucifix and said “You are my God and my all.” Each monk was executed and burned. This is the full meaning of agape love. In the eyes of the commander, the Franciscans chose death. In the eyes of the Franciscans and in the eyes of God they chose life. 

In the last paragraph of today’s reading from Hebrews Paul says, “Since we have a great high priest who has passed the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.”

It has been said that “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” When we are attacked physically, emotionally or psychologically over our faith, will we chose life?