Monday, October 26, 2008 Lagura: Loving God, others and self By Fr. Flor Lagura, SVD in the service of the word
ST. Thomas Aquinas, whom the Church dubs “Doctor Angelicus or the Angelic Doctor” due to his sublime knowledge, once said, “Grace does not destroy nature, it perfects it.” In God’s infinite wisdom and boundless love each of us can have a glimpse at, might even understand the commandment the Lord gave us: to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves.
In the light of our God who is love, a boy, named Ambo, saw and practiced in his own way the divine precept to love. It happened in this manner.
Envy for his younger brother, clearly his father’s pet, clouded his better judgment, embittered his heart and darkened his soul. One day Ambo decided to pick a quarrel with his sibling, calling him names—something which was strictly taboo in the family. As the fight escalated, the two of them stooped down and hurled stones at each other with fury until one stone finally hit his brother’s brow. As his brother howled in pain while blood trickled down his face, Ambo realized the “crime” for which he would be surely and roundly punished.
The culprit feared his father—a boat captain known for his awesome command as well as sternness to his men. He also possessed a colorful sailor’s language, which he often punctuated with volleys of oaths. So, when the father came inside the room and as the boys’ mother acted as prosecutor reciting, along with the “crime” Ambo recently committed, a whole litany of “sins,” the accused feared the worst would come.
When the mother furiously stormed out of the room, Ambo’s father gently closed the door behind him and beckoned to the two boys to approach him. Then firmly hugging them close to his enormous belly, he tickled them with his beard till the children laughed and gasped for breath. The father merely said, “You know, you two should not be fighting each other; I love you both.”
Years later, remembering and relishing his earthly father’s love which provided a glimpse into the love of God, Ambo went to a seminary to be a priest. However, his superiors declared him unfit. His dream world shattered, he bitterly led a hermit’s life. He also died alone.
But during his funeral the family was surprised to see many of the city’s forgotten and forsaken troop inside to see the casket of a man who for years befriended and cared for them.
Ambo’s love for them came from the strength of realizing that an earthly father, and more so, a heavenly Father, loved him. Because of the wonder of God’s love seen in those persons who love, we can and do become not only good but truly transformed.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-39.
