We always choose to see just the visible, so we tend to do what is only possible.That’s why we get stuck with the old ways of doing things because those are the only things we see which brings us the same result over and over again.
In the first reading John says: I see a new heaven and a new earth. And I see one seated on the throne, he said: “See I am making all things new.” Newness implies seeing that which is invisible, so that we can do the impossible. If we only keep on looking for what is visible to do what’s possible then we end up doing the same old, same old. We need a new
way of thinking. To do that, we need a new way of seeing.
way of thinking. To do that, we need a new way of seeing.
Teacher: "Four crows are on the fence. The farmer shoots one. How many are left?” Little Johnny: "None."
Teacher: "Listen carefully: Four crows are on the fence. The farmer shoots one. How many are left?” Johnny: "None."
Teacher: "Can you explain that answer?"
Johnny: "One is shot, the others fly away. There are none left."
Teacher: "Well, that isn't the correct answer, but I like the way you think."
Johnny: "Teacher, can I ask a question?” Teacher: "Sure."
Little Johnny: “Three women walk into the ice cream parlor and sees Little Johnny. One buys ice cream and smiles and waves at little Johnny. The other buys ice cream and greets Little Johnny: “Hello young lad, you look swell today.” The third buys two ice cream cones and offers one to Little Johnny. Which one is married?"
Teacher: "The one who gives little Johnny ice cream."
Little Johnny: "No. The one with the wedding ring on, but I like the way you think."
We must have a vision into things we cannot yet see. We need a vision to see things in a new perspective. Prov. 28:18 says: “Where there is no vision, people perish.”
In the gospel Jesus leaves his disciples a legacy, he gives them a new vision: “Litttle children, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13)
But Lord, I can love those who love me. I can be kind to those who are kind to me. I see what is visible so I can do what is possible…. But what you ask is to love the other who might not love me, to give myself to those who cannot give back of themselves. That is hard. That seems to be impossible…. and yet the Lord tells us: If you cannot see the invisible, you cannot do the impossible. You have to love one another not because you get something back or you get a happy feeling, but because of faith - something you cannot see nor feel. If you do that then you do the impossible. You have to see what is invisible to do the impossible. And that which is invisible is called love.
Cause when you see love in everything you do for another, then all things are possible. Seeing events in your life, seeing persons in your life with the eyes of love make you see them in a new way. You will see God. John today says: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See the home of God is among humans. He will dwell with them.” When we love one another, we see the God we love in each other.
There were two warring tribes in the Andes, one that lived in the lowlands and the other high in the mountains. The highlnders/ mountain people invaded the lowlanders one day, kidnapped a baby of one of the their mothers, and took the infant with them back up into the mountains.
The lowlanders didn’t know how to climb the mountain. They didn’t know any of the trails that the highlanders used, and they didn’t know where to find the highlanders or how to track them in the steep terrain. Even so, they sent out their best party of fighting men to climb the mountain and bring the baby back home.
The men tried first one method of climbing and then another. They tried one trail and then another. After several days of effort, however, they had climbed only several hundred feet. Feeling hopeless and helpless, the lowlanders decided that the cause was lost, and they prepared to return to their village below. But why do you think they failed in trying to do what was seemingly impossible? If you cannot see the invisible you cannot do what is impossible.
As they were packing their gear for the descent, they saw the baby’s mother walking toward them, coming down the mountain that they hadn’t figured out how to climb. And then they saw that she had the baby strapped to her back. How could that be? Impossible! One man greeted her and said, “We couldn’t climb this mountain. How did you do this when we, the strongest and most able men in the village, couldn’t do it?”
She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Well, It wasn’t your baby. And you do not love him as much I do.” The mother’s love for her baby they did not see, that invisible thing made her do the impossible.So if you cannot see the invisible, you cannot do what is impossible. That is what loving one another means.
References:
Vayalicmf. (2014). Stories for homilies. “Love finds a means.”
Dimaranan, F. (2014). Pan de la Semana. “5th Sunday of Easter year C.”