Banner of Love
About a month ago, I was asked to reflect on what is my image of God. The first thing that came to mind is the campfire song Father Abraham. It goes something like Father Abraham had seven children, seven children had Father Abraham… Now, reflecting on today’s Gospel, the first thing that came to mind is the song Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. For those who know these songs, I’m sure you’re humming them now or hearing them in your head. 😊
I first learned these two songs in school when I was about seven or eight years old – many, many moons ago. We loved singing these in class, maybe because of the playful choreography while singing, or maybe because it was fun and easy to sing. Apart from those two, we learned more songs that we sang during mass and during celebrations like the feast day of our blessed mother.
I do not deny that growing up I felt that the way religion was taught to us in school was too cerebral, too academic. At the end of every school term, our report cards had a numeric grade for religious studies. On the contrary, the songs softened and balanced our spiritual growth. The songs we learned and sang taught our hearts to give praise and worship to God.
It is said that the longest distance in the world is from the head to the heart. So, while singing Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, his banner over me is love, sweep your arms overhead in a wide arc to form an open heart, and remember our Lord’s reassurance: “Do not let your hearts be troubled… believe in God, believe also in me” (Jn 14:1)
Lord Jesus, when my heart is troubled, strengthen my faith. Teach me to recognise you as the way to the Father, the truth that sets me free, and the life that does not end. Make your love bear fruit in my choices and actions. Amen.
Randy Reyes
