God's love: Motivates, empowers individuals

	Word to Life  Jeff Hensley

We too often tend to think and form opinions about people on the basis of stereotypes. If we were to think of any of our contemporaries acting or writing like the characters in this weekend's readings, we'd picture religious fanatics.

Who would not think so? Consider the steadfastness of Moses, hands raised to God in supplication as Joshua fought in battle below him, and Paul's admonition to Timothy charging him to "preach the word, to stay with this task whether convenient or inconvenient - correcting, reproving, appealing, constantly teaching, and never losing patience."

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007) Exodus 17:8-13 Psalm 121:1-8 2 Timothy 3:14--4:2 Luke 18:1-8

And so some are. But the stereotypical fanatics these images bring to mind are not the types from Scripture. An adherence to Scripture that ignores the central role of love of God and neighbor produces distortions of the Gospel.

When I read this week's passages, four men I know rather well came to mind. One is a priest who shines with intensity in his love of God, his word, and his people.

Another is a young man, a counselor, whose gentle persistence and love of God's word and his people is inspiring. The third is a layperson who teaches from the Scriptures and church teaching and is impelled to reach out to others with the good news at all times.

The fourth is a Protestant layman and conference speaker, dead for about 10 years now, who had all these same characteristics such that once, when I sat down with him in a college cafeteria at a conference, he proceeded to ask a stranger at the other end of the table, "Friend, do you know Jesus?" in such a way that he gave no offense. Such was the sweet, genuine nature of his character and approach.

	Reflection questions • Do you have examples around you of such men and women, made alive by the word of God and love of God and his church? • Where might you spend more time to come in contact with such folk?

None of these guys are anything alike, except in their love of God, his word, his people (and those not yet counted among his people), and his church. One is an introvert. The three extroverts are about as different in personality and appearance, tone of voice, and so on as three individuals can be. But each projects God's love from the uniqueness of his own personality and demeanor.

But how I wish I were as motivated and empowered by the love of God, his word, and others as each of these is. Growing in love is a goal worth striving for.

This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.