Many of us grew up hearing the hymn “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” Using modern standards, there are some who criticize the song as “dated” and “kind of cheesy!” Nonetheless, doesn’t it stir up memories of those very Christians who, through the ages, gave up everything for the faith? Doesn’t it stir up for us memories of the saints of God who have offered a powerful witness by their love? Hasn’t the world known they were followers of Christ by virtue of their love?
Maybe our favorite saints are among the martyrs, who shed their blood to help spread the message of the Gospel. Maybe our favorites are among the men and women Religious, who gave up having a traditional family in order to enter into years of deep prayer. Maybe our favorites are among those so gifted that their preaching or their writing brings us insight, inspiration, and peace even centuries later. The common thread woven through the lives of these people was love.
Does it remain true, then, that “they will know we are Christians by our love?” Yes, of course. But the love that Christ and His saints have taught us and which the faith demands of us is difficult – if we take it seriously. Love is not satisfied with peaceful dispositions, but rather it demands action.
Our Lenten journey has been filled with chances to put love into action. Our daily sacrifices, all of which are active, are not being done in order to draw attention to them or to us. We are entering into all that we have “given up” so that God’s love will radiate from us and others will give Him glory. Each person we encounter during these waning days of Lent will truly know we are Christians by our love. They will desire the One who sent us in His name. And they will come to know Love itself! That, after all, is why we set out on this journey on Ash Wednesday. May God bring to completion the good work He has begun in us.
Let us pray. “Lord, help us make the most of the final days of Lent. Allow real love, your love, to shine through us, especially as Holy Week draws near. Help us trust that we have been sent into our world in order to love. Through your Son, who loves and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.”
