[stephenkhoo]

Tuesday, 31 January, 2012, 4th Week, Ordinary Time
HE PRIMACY OF LOVE BUT THE PRIORITY OF FAITH
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 2 SM 18:9-10, 14B, 24-25A, 30-19:3; MK 5:21-43

Between faith and charity, there is no doubt that charity is the higher virtue. For on account of love, many would do things that would be considered unthinkable. Truly, we have the example of King David. Although his son, Absalom betrayed him, yet he never wanted his son killed. Instead, all he desired was that his army would paralyze his son’s army and bring him to justice and correction. But in no way did David want his son to die in spite of the crimes he had committed. For this reason, he gave orders to his commanders not to kill his son, Absalom. The underlying reason is simply because love is greater than revenge.

Similarly, we have the example of the ruler of the synagogue. Because he loved his daughter who had fallen ill and was on the verge of death, he risked his position and dignity by inviting Jesus to his house to heal his daughter. We can be sure that other Jewish leaders must have objected to such an invitation. But once again, love, particularly the love of parents for their children, goes beyond logic and fear. For the sake of love, parents would do anything for their children, just like King David and Jairus.

Indeed, love is the greatest of all virtues. This is aptly brought up, albeit in anger, when Joab the commander complained against King David that he loved those who hate him and hated those who love him. He could not understand how David could forgive his son when Absalom had betrayed him and his country; but not sympathize with his soldiers who had risked their lives to protect him. Of course, such disappointment is understandable since Absalom was not their son but David’s. From this it becomes clear that without love, we see everyone else in terms of strict and crude justice. It is justice without love. But can justice without love be considered true justice? It would be justice without compassion. It is compassion that tampers our human notion of justice.

Whilst it is true that love is the greatest of all virtues, something else is required before we can act justly in love. We need to have faith. In this context, we are of course speaking of faith in terms of trust. Without faith, no love is possible. That is why, between faith and love, faith has the priority even though it is neither the goal nor has it the primacy. Faith is the way to love. Without faith, it would not be possible for hope to be sustained. And without hope, there is no love.

This is once again brought up in the scripture readings. It was because David continued to have faith in his son that he could hope for him to repent. Then again, it was the faith of Jairus for Jesus that he would lower his dignity as the ruler of the synagogue and jeopardize his standing with his fellow Jews by inviting Jesus to his house to heal his daughter. Faith then is critical. Without faith and trust, it would be difficult to hope and to love. For when hope is missing, it implies that we have given up on a person or a situation. But where hope still exists, it means that we still love. Love is always hopeful and trusting.

The cure of the woman with a long history of hemorrhage is the epitome of faith. There she was, frustrated by her long illness. Of course, we must understand why this sickness of hers brought her much suffering. According to Mosaic laws in Leviticus, a woman with menstrual flow is considered ritually unclean. She could not go to the temple for worship and not be in contact with others lest she contaminates them. She was deprived of her dignity and freedom. But she continued to have hope. Her hope sustained her faith that God would heal her. Thus, she took the courage to touch the cloak of Jesus, even though knowing that by so doing she would contaminate Him. But she did so nevertheless because she had faith in Jesus, not only that He could cure her simply by allowing her to touch His cloak but also that Jesus would understand and empathize with her. Indeed, it was her faith that healed her and gained her salvation. It was this faith that made the relationship of love between Jesus and her possible. In the final analysis, it was the faith of this woman in God that allowed her to live in hope. This faith and hope in turn led to a relationship of love. It was love that healed her in the end because she did not place obstacles for Jesus to enter her life.

What then would be the implications for us in terms of our vocation in life and human relationships? Whether it is our vocation or relationship with God or with our fellowmen, it is clear that if we are to have a deep love for God or love for our fellowmen, then we need to have faith in each other. Without this faith vision, no hope or love can exist.

Concretely it means that first and foremost, in our communities, whether at home, in Church or at work, both those in authority and its members must trust that God has chosen us for our respective roles. Parents and leaders must be convinced of their calling to form those under their care. As members of our respective communities, we must listen to the voice of God through those placed in charge of us. We need to trust that He has a plan for us, even if we do not always agree with the things we are asked to do. Unless we trust that He has chosen us for our respective roles or vocation, it would be difficult to commit ourselves to our assigned tasks, less still, love what we do. As members and subordinates, we too need to have faith in our leaders whom God has put in charge of us. We must trust that God wants us to be formed by them. Even though they may not be perfect, God will in His own way form us after His own heart. This then must be the fundamental presupposition.

Secondly, flowing from our faith in God, we can then speak about faith and trust in each other. Of course, we know that no one can be given absolute trust and surrender except God alone. This is because human beings by nature are weak. Still, a certain level of trust in each other is necessary for a deepening of love. Without faith, it would be difficult to open up to each other. Faith certainly implies hope as well. Sometimes because of human frailty, some of us might fail in our duties and responsibilities. Hence, leaders must trust that their members will be responsible in their duties. This trust is manifested in the hope that people can change for the better, especially when they fail. Parents must never give up on their children, no matter how rebellious or difficult they may be in their youth. Spouses must trust that their partners can change, even if they have gone astray. Without trust, change would be impossible, and formation would be reduced to supervision. Conversely, subordinates must trust in their leaders; children must trust in their parents; that they are helping them to be the person that they are meant to be. Of course those in authority must have the interest of their charges at heart. Thus at times, when leaders make decisions that appear to be against the interest of their members, it is because we are not able to see the overriding concerns as yet.

Yes, we must realize that only when there is faith and hope, can one take risks, even in the face of failure and disappointments. If for some reasons we have given up on a person, could it because we have lost faith and hope already? Quite often in a relationship that has turned sour and become irreparable, it is because faith is lacking and hence one is no longer willing to take risks. But so long as faith and hope is with us, we will continue to take risks, just as it was so in the case of David, Jairus and especially the woman with hemorrhage.

Hence, today, let us pray for the faith of David, the faith of Jairus, and especially the faith of the woman suffering from hemorrhage. For only when there is faith, are we willing to take risks in trusting. And in trusting, we continue to hope. It is hope that will open up the channels to love. Thus it is faith and hope that make love possible and a reality. For where there is love, one does not keep a record of wrongs. So, love is the goal of faith and hope even though faith has the priority.