For some reason (hopefully a Spirit-led one), one of my first thoughts when reading today’s Gospel was about sports.  I thought about athletes, coaches and fans who boast about certain statistics while ignoring how badly they – or their team – lost a game.  Perhaps it is a soccer (or football, if you prefer) coach who brags how her team controlled possession by stringing passes together, but she seems oblivious to the fact that her team never took a shot on goal.  Or maybe a basketball player who is proud of how many points he scored but ignores how many shots he missed when he should have passed to a wide-open teammate who had a better chance to score.  You can find numerous examples from a variety of sports of individuals who have forgotten the underlying purpose of the game.

When we read in Matthew of the people Jesus tells to depart – people who have prophesied, driven out demons, and done great deeds – it makes me a little nervous.  These seem to be good followers who have done impressive religious works, so what’s the problem?  Jesus declares he never knew them, then follows by talking about houses built on rock and sand, which suggests that the works have a foundational problem.  I wonder if they were so focused on prophecy, exorcism, or the various “mighty deeds,” they missed the reason, the underlying purpose for those efforts?

So what should be at the foundation of our faithful work?  When asked to name the greatest commandment, Jesus responded that loving God was first, loving your neighbor was second, and that “all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-38)  I John 4 tells us that all who love know God, but those who do not love do not know God “because God is love.”  From the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (chapter 13), we know that prophecy, wisdom, faith or charitable acts without love are nothing.

Loving God, help us to love one another as Christ loves us.  Help us continually to love those around us, even the “enemy” who opposes us at work or who espouses views we abhor.  Help us so that we walk humbly with you, God Who is love, in our search for justice and mercy, in our attempts to forgive as You have forgiven us.  Holy Spirit, work in us and through us so that all we do is done lovingly and glorifies God.