For The Love of God

by John O'Connell

Our Lord told His Apostles at the Last Supper, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14: 15). This statement of Jesus Christ applies, of course, not only to the Twelve Apostles but to all of His followers across the span of time. In a world that has become militantly hostile to the Natural and Divine Law given to man by God, Christians must determine to courageously follow the teachings of Christ.

No surprise then that confusion about the objective moral order has seeped into the Church. There is a pernicious teaching in some circles that rationalizes the rejection of the Law of God: since God has an unconditional love for us, we need not concern ourselves with the supposed nitpicky rules and regulations of morality. What is really important is that we trust in Jesus and show concern for one another.

It is a false mysticism that would sever devotion to Christ from following His moral teachings. And it is the Church who authentically hands on Christ's doctrine in the moral order.

In the Christian life, through contemplation we ascend Mt. Tabor to witness the transfigured Christ. But to conform ourselves to Christ we must also observe the law of Mt. Sinai, and struggle up Mt. Calvary with the cross in union with Our Lord. There is also one more mystical mountain we must ascend in the spiritual life: Carmel. For Mt. Carmel not only symbolizes the interior life, but also devotion to the Immaculate Virgin. The intercession of our Blessed Mother will obtain for us the graces from her Divine Son that we need to utter our fiat to the Will of God and to become transformed in Christ. ©

© 1996 Inter Mirifica