The first reading from this Seventh Sunday in Ordinary, from the Book of Leviticus (c. 19), offers us another opportunity to consider our understanding of the word “love” vis-à-vis the Lord’s commandment to “…love your neighbor as yourself.” In this reading we hear: "You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." And as always, many will interpret this command depending on their usage of the word “love.”

From Meriam Webster’s dictionary we see “love” in its various forms: from sexual desire to devotion and affirmation to benevolence. We profess our love on Valentine’s Day and we declare our love for chocolate or savories; we issue our love via a Hallmark Card on a special occasion or by way of an attachment (i.e., love of the sea). In any of the ways in which we might love, Jesus’ commandment calls us to a special kind of love when He says: “love your neighbor as yourself.” This love is more of a benevolent love, or in ecclesial terms, a righteous love or Godly love. Benevolent love, as defined by Webster’s, calls us to (a) concern for the good of another. This “good” of another, is similar to the “excellence” that St. Thomas Aquinas would call us to, as in a desire for the “excellence of another” or the desire or prayer for one to become who God desires he or she to be.

What does it mean to desire the excellence or the good for another? How is that a form of “love?” The Church calls us to seek the excellence of another by praying for them; by asking God to bring that person to the fullness of the image and likeness of God, in which they have been created. In today’s world, I think some folks conflate the words “like” and “love.” When we listen to the command to “love one another as yourself”, we might think that Jesus expects us to “like” everyone—in that we might want to be friends with them and share a common meal. Rather, the
word “love” should call us to respect the human dignity of that person—whether they are male or female, white or black, rich or poor, Christian, Jew, Muslim or nothing specific by way of faith,
or straight, gay, transgender or whatever adjective or identity we are forced to label them. They are human persons and have been made in the image and likeness of God and for that reason alone
we are called to love/respect them--and to pray and seek the excellence of and for them.

Let us look again at the first part of today’s declaratory statement in the first reading: "You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow
citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people…” Indifference and apathy have no place in the interpersonal relationships—the right relationships—that God has formed us in and calls us to associate with others. We are not to bear hatred in our hearts—that takes some action,including forgiveness and mercy; we shall hold no grudge which also calls for forgiveness and understanding; and, Christ also states that “…Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen…” which means we are called to lead those with whom we disagree—and all peoples—back to the Truth, which is the Wisdom of God. Remember that our Lord and Savior does not simply forgive everyone their transgressions but rather calls them back to
His Truths, leading them home to Himself, so that Eternal Life might be theirs. God never says: “there, there, that’s O.K., keep on doing whatever pleases you.” No, Jesus Christ calls us to repent
and return to the Truth, so that we might live forever.

How then does this really work out in daily activities of life? Well, we must know the Wisdom of God and understand how to apply it to our modern life. That means we have to put time and energy into our faith. It cannot be just a casual thing, it is too important. Do we know the Lord and His teachings? Do we attempt to incorporate them into our lives—family, work, friends—and do we proclaim the Gospel message in-andthrough our very being? When we see someone go against the Truth, do we call them and lead them back to the Truth—not just by our words and lecturing them but mostly by our deeds and our lived-experiences of faith? Do we employ the Spiritual
Works of Mercy by teaching the ignorant and the praying for other’s needs?

No one ever said that the Christian life was easy but the reward of Christian life is eternal and glorious. The Church is replete with martyrs who have died for the faith and while I am
not suggesting that we all must shed our blood as the martyrs of old did, we all will be tested and even in the modern world we shall be challenged for following Christ. Research illustrates
that today—2017—more than 215 million Christian refugees are suffering all around the globe for practicing their faith. Here in our very comfortable and insulated world we too might be challenged—by family, friends and community leaders—in how and where we might practice our faith, just ask the Little Sisters of the Poor, but if we “arm” ourselves with spiritual weaponry such
as Truth, compassion, fortitude, respect and love, then the Lord will ensure that we shall be protected in this life so by spreading His Truth in our actions and words, we shall see His glorious
face.

It is very popular to use simplistic phrases or slogans such as “love makes…a family or a marriage” but in actuality what really makes a lasting and nurturing marriage or a strong and stable family is respect for each individual person representing the image and likeness of our Creator. Understanding that we can disagree on policies and ideas without being wrong or a bigot or that we can learn to work together in areas of common interest and then to respect those areas and peoples when agreement isn’t a possibility. We are not called to give up our beliefs simply to make the other happy, but rather to live our beliefs out so well that others, by the grace of God, will desire them too. Within the lyrics of Aretha Franklin’s song “RESPECT” perhaps this is the real meaning behind her understanding of “give me proper respect.” And that comes for Him alone who Was, IS and Shall Ever Be