Humility – Love's "Test by Fire"

We too may need to linger over this first lesson in order to introject humility into our love. “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Lk 22:33) – the apostle was chastened by his failure to live up to this boast. (We can only imagine what his thoughts must have been when he later heard Jesus prophesy his martyrdom – see Jn 21:19).

Like Peter, our claims of love of God may prove unfounded and even arrogant. We may like to think that our love would keep us faithful to God throughout the suffering of the end times that Jesus foretold: “In the time of punishment there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and be taken as prisoners” (Lk 21:23-24). But could it be that our self-assurance of love and faithfulness in nothing more than arrogance? Is our faith-rooted love of God exceptional enough to face the coming trials of mankind’s greatest disaster? “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” Jesus warned (Mt 24:13). Will that “most” of mankind include us?

The only way to guard against this betrayal is to humbly follow Jesus’ “rules of preparation” for his coming; “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Lk 21:46). “Lead us not into temptation,” Jesus taught us to pray; or as the Jerusalem Bible more correctly translates it, “Do not put us to the test: (Mt 6:13). And so, with each fervent “Our Father” our love becomes more humble and aware of God’s protection.

Our love for God will not grow cold if we keep this protective power in mind, as so many of the psalms encourage us to do. “Spread your protection over those who love your name” (Ps 5:11). “the Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy” (Ps 145:20). “’Because he loves me, ‘ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him…I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him’” (Ps 91:14-15).

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.