True Love

Details: 18 February 2011

Only a few days ago, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Scholastica, the sister of St. Benedict. She consecrated herself to God, entered the religious life and followed her brother to Monte Cassino. Many of us are familiar with the story related to us by St. Gregory the Great, the patron saint of our diocesan seminary. She used to meet her brother once a year in a small building on monastery property. They spent the day talking about God, heaven, angels and saints.

One on occasion shortly before her death in the year 547 as her brother prepared to depart after a long day discussing things divine, she asked him to remain even longer so they could continue their heavenly discourse. After refusing her pleas she buried her head in her hands and asked Almighty God to intervene and intervene He did. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a raging tempest appeared complete with sheets of rain, thunder and lightning forcing her saintly brother to stay through the night. After Benedict charged, "May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?" She answered, "Well, I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery." It was shortly after this St. Benedict saw a vision of her soul flying to heaven after her holy death. In response to this episode St. Gregory the Great famously said, "It is not surprising that she was more effective than he; since, as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more."

Recently an elderly couple came to one of our offices pleading for help. They had been living on the edge ever since their retirement and could not always make ends meet living on Social Security. Since many of their teeth were missing, it was evident they lacked funds to pay a dentist as well. In addition to caring for themselves, they had a son with a mental disability they did their best to support. They asked for help paying a utility bill. They left our office in joy for they received the help they needed. How were we able to assist them? We paid their utility bill with the money our benefactors had donated to us. Why do our donors send us money and remember us in their wills? Love. It is as simple as that. "God is love" (Jn 4:8, 16). And the evidence we love God is if we love our neighbor (Jn 4:19-21). And the evidence of our love of neighbor is the giving of ourselves to our neighbor with our time, talent and treasure. When true love is present, it is something that cannot be extinguished. "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it" (Song of Songs 8:7).

At Catholic Social Services we thank you for your love of God. It is the reason I love to say in many of my thank you letters, "Thank you for your love of Jesus Christ who lives in the poor and needy (Mt 25:31-46)." Please never forget that we love you in return and remember you, your families and intentions in our prayers and Masses at Catholic Social Services. Never forget the wisdom of St. Gregory the Great; namely the more we love, the more we will be able to do and accomplish on this road to heaven. Sts Scholastica, Benedict and Gregory, pray for us!