October 25, 2020
Are you old enough to remember back to 1967 when the Beatles gave us the song, "All You Need is Love?" John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the song. And even just from that title you have to think, "Well that makes sense, since if everyone did everything out of love for the other person, then the world would be perfect and you wouldn't need anything else." But at the time it came out, I was 11 years old with my older siblings friends being sent to fight in Vietnam. And there were others protesting the very same war. It seemed that maybe there wasn't enough love. With the racial riots of that day and senseless killings, both in Vietnam and here in the United States, I wondered if there ever would be.
Fast forward from the 1960's to today. A great deal of the racial injustices have been eliminated. People of all races are graduating with college diplomas. No one is forced to sit in the back of the bus. There is still plenty of work to do. Yet the war in Vietnam was concluded. There are other military conflicts now, but nothing like then. While more love is needed and there is work to be done, the progress made offers great hope.
The Beatles were on to something with their song, "All You Need is Love." Because in this weekend's Gospel, Jesus is saying the same thing! He said that all the commandments and rules would be satisfied if we lived our lives to love God and our neighbor. But that task isn't easy. It seems whatever love we give, it is just a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed in our world.
I believe that it is important for us to be reminded once in a while, that your small act of love often becomes great when it inspires others. Peter Kennedy tells the true story that happened in 1992. School teacher Jeff and Kristi Leeland learned that their baby boy Michael had cancer. He needed a bone marrow transplant or he would die. The operation would cost $200,000 and his insurance would not cover it. His parents didn't have the money.
A friend who was a teacher, told his class about the Leeland's baby. Then, Dameon, a 7th grade boy who walked with a limp, was picked on by the other kids, struggled in special education classes, became inspired and visited the Leeland home.
"Mr. Leeland, don't make a big deal out of this. If your baby's in trouble, I want to help out."
Dameon, the kid others teased, reached out his hand and stuffed 12 five-dollar bills into Jeff's hand. It was Dameon's life savings.
Others heard about it. A walk-a-thon was organized by some kids. A car wash was held. TV stations picked up on it and a wave of compassion flowed. Only four weeks after Dameon's gift of $60, the Michael Leeland Fund totaled over $220,000.
Michael got the marrow transplant. He lived. Now grown up, tells everyone he can about his hero Dameon who gave his all to save the life of another.
The reason I bring this story up is that it reminds us that when we help our neighbor out of love, even if it doesn't seem like enough to make a difference, it may make all the difference as Dameon's gift did for Michael. Our acts of love and kindness inspire others. Padre Pio said, "pray, hope, and don't worry."
Election day is around the corner. Can you and I tolerate the nonsense, stop complaining about it, and actually dig in and learn about the candidates? Not just listen to the insults and chaos that the news puts in front of us, but to investigate the actual track records. It is out there if we dig. One of the ways we can pour out our love for the world is to vote. It is not hopeless.
Pope Francis reminds us that we need to contribute to public life, as we do with voting, when he said:
"Your identification with Christ and his will involves a commitment to build with him that kingdom of love, justice and universal peace. . . .You cannot grow in holiness without committing yourself, body and soul, to giving your best to this endeavor." "Good Catholics immerse themselves in politics..."
Committing ourselves then, involves putting up with all of the nonsense of an election year. It involves digging and finding the candidates who work towards preserving life - in the womb, life at the borders of our country, life in our healthcare system, in our prisons, and in our nursing homes. Please review this brief document titled, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship." This was written by the American Catholic Bishops. No one can tell you how to vote, but Christ will tell you how to love. Because in the end, that IS all we need! Amen
God's Peace,
Deacon Dave