Do we really love?

 

I have just read a wonderful story. Last June, a 31-year-old priest donated his kidney to a 60-year-old parishioner of his. He approached the man after Palm Sunday mass and told him of his intention to give him a kidney.

However, when it comes to transplantation, one needs more than willingness to help because in most cases, even parents and brothers are not always compatible. But, as GOD alone would have it, the priest had no antibodies against and was a perfect match to his old parishioner. On the day of the surgery, he came in with anointing oil, gave the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and invited the patient’s wife and children to join him in the laying on of hands for the man’s healing. Then, he left him in a state of absolute calmness for the surgery. All along, the priest only concern was the impact the drastic surgery would have on his life in ministry. When he was certain it would only be temporary, nothing would stop him.

Apparently, there are a few other cases of pastors donating their kidneys like that; there is one in Jacksonville, Al. and the other one in Denver, Colorado.

What I found most fascinating in this story, is what the priest, Father Jonathan, said. 

1) He first said that whenever he meets somebody who has any kind of need, he always asks himself whether he is the person who can respond to that need.

2) And, framing his gift in the context of the Christian concept of sacrifice, he said that even from before the time of Christ, a priest has always been defined as one who offers sacrifice. So, since Christians are baptized as priests, prophets, and kings, offering sacrifice is a therefore a real aspect of the life of every Christian.

Jesus asked us to love one another AS we love ourselves and love our fellow brethren AS He has loved us. He loved us to the point of giving His life that we may live. Do we really love one another? Do we love our brethren as Christ loved us? Do we see ourselves as the solution to the problem of X and Y or do we keep running away from our duties and responsibilities? We can mesmerise ourselves everyday thinking that we truly love our brothers and sisters. We can even congratulate and praise ourselves for the love that we have for one another because we visit them from time to time, lend them a bit of money now and then, pray a 2min-prayer when they are in distress. But can we really give a kidney to a fellow church member? Many of us would not even do the preliminary blood tests in fear of hearing that they are a match. “If I give my kidney now, and tomorrow my wife or child needs one, what will I do? And if I lose the only one I have left, who will help me? I’m only 31!” Some will even say that this priest could do such a thing because he had no family to think of. Let’s not forget that two pastors have also done the same. We are still very far from the Christian ideal and the way to love is very tedious...

These men of GOD have exemplified what Christian love is; and those who know how serious the surgery they underwent is, are also aware that, in a way, they have actually given their very life to save their own.

2Co 4:8-12, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”

Have a great week. May the love of Christ, which has been liberally poured into our hearts, find full expression henceforth. GOD bless you.

You can read the original story here.