Young Adult Scripture Reflection

DAY SIX: REMEMBERING THE UNEMPLOYED AND ALL WHO BEAR ECONOMIC BURDENS FROM THE CRISIS

(Joe Oliveri)

Scripture: 

1 John 4:7-11

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

Reflection

I lived through the time known as “the Great Recession” and never really understood what that meant. I was still a high school student, someone just realizing they made hair products to help your hair look better (who knew?). I  hadn’t begun to grasp what the economy was. 

As a young adult, I became more  aware of the economic hardships in this country. This is a country I once thought was the richest in the world, until I went to the urban homeless shelters to see people who lived a different reality. Now, in this crisis, everyone is affected. In a way, it shows us how in the Body of Christ, we truly are interconnected. Admittedly, it is sad to see a pandemic be the way this is revealed.

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We are all connected economically, just as we are theologically. In our society, we depend on one another’s work and ingenuity. When this system takes a hard hit, our world crumbles. People start thinking in survival mode (stocking up on way too much toilet paper) and become more inwardly focused. Things can become very divided in a new economic reality.

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However, the first letter of John tells us that God is love, that God sent his only Son out of love, to teach us to love, and to make it possible for us to love. Indeed, love loves and begets more love. Those who did not love could not come to believe in Jesus. They resisted love, and in so doing begat hate, which in turn divides the Body of Christ.

All that to say, concern for our wallets and for the direction of the markets should not ultimately direct our hearts.

We need to step back and realize everyone is going through hard times now. If that bums you out, also realize that God is love, has redeemed us, and given us the gift of participating in his love, especially now!

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As we all are dealing with the impact of COVID-19, I think of a Fred Rogers quote I keep in mind. When he was a boy, he would see similar scary things on the news and be worried. But his mother would say, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” 

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I see Christ in those who help in time of need. That is the love of God incarnate. Love became a person so that more people could become Love. It’s beautiful if you really pray with those words slowly. You could be one of those helpers, a person who receives love and can only give it in return, not hoard it for oneself.

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We or someone we love will be affected financially by this pandemic. But do not forget that before this, before time and space, you, all of us, were loved. And by that love, we must love in return.

Reflection Questions

1. Being cooped up all day might limit our ability to show love to others. Have you thought of other ways to express love to others at this time? Name a few you have done and some you’d like to do.

2. Love is especially revealed in how we treat the poor, those down on their luck and have no immediate way to recover. But how can we still love even when we might be one of those affected by the job layoffs or businesses closing down? How is God calling you to look more outward than inward?

Joe Oliveri is the Director of Alumni Relations at Saint Meinrad Archabbey. He has a master’s in Pastoral Ministry from the University of Dayton and lives in New Albany, IN with his two cats. He and his fiancée, Meghan, await their wedding day this summer.