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Gospel: John 13: 31-35
When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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One of the best-known columnists in America today is David Brooks, who’s written several insightful books on character and morals, including, The Second Mountain.
In this book, Brooks suggests that there are two mountains which most people encounter in their lifetime.
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The first mountain that looms before us is the mountain of success.
Finish high school, graduate college, start a career and climb the company ladder. Grow in the eyes of the world.
Countless studies have shown, however, that when people reach the top of that first mountain, the view is ultimately… unsatisfying.
While hard work is a good thing, and success is a blessing, if we focus exclusively on climbing that first mountain, then we’ll never be fulfilled. We’ll still hunger for something greater; deeper.
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Enter the second mountain.
Brooks calls this the “eulogy mountain.” What will people say about us when we’ve reached the end of our journey?
They won’t care about the car we drove, the size of our home, or the fabric of our suits. They’ll consider whether we led a meaningful life.
Were we generous to those in need? Did we love other people? Did we forgive with ease? Were we a reliable friend? Did we invest time in our family? Did we find our purpose? Were we faithful to God?
The second mountain addresses the deeper questions – and yearnings – of life.
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In today’s Gospel, Jesus commands us, “Love one another the way that I have loved you.” You might say, he’s moving our attention towards that second mountain, which of the two, is the only mountain he ever climbed.
The Lord never accumulated wealth, status, or property. He never went to college or wrote a book. He healed without cost. Forgave without limit. Touched the untouchable. Rebuked the corrupt and blessed the peacemakers.
When people tried crowning him an earthly king, he vanished from their midst.
His sole focus was doing his Father’s will, even to the point of sweating blood in a garden at midnight. Hours before his death, Jesus gave his disciples the only thing he had left – his own Body and Blood, which would soon be nailed to a cross.
Even while drawing his final breath, he prayed for his persecutors, those who mocked and spit upon him, begging, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
That cry was rich in mercy, kindness, gentleness, and compassion.
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Three simple words, the words of a man facing death: “Love one another.”
Words which are simple enough for a toddler to memorize and appreciate, yet are profound enough that the most mature believers can be repeatedly embarrassed at how poorly they understand them or put them into practice.
It’s a type of love that can never be paid back, only paid forward.
It’s a love which, in the words of Saint Paul, “is not rude, does not seek its own interests, does not brood over injury… but bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.”
It’s the standard by which every Christian strives to live his or her life.
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Some of you may know that today I celebrate my 40th birthday… and in a matter of days I’ll also celebrate my 10th anniversary as a priest!
Such major milestones in my life have caused me to reflect on the effort I’ve put into climbing that “second mountain.”
We might call it, “the mountain of love.”
While I’ve not had the experience of raising children, worrying if they’re safe and happy; stoking the fire of a marriage to keep it burning bright; working long hours to pay for college, medical bills, or a home; nor worried about hearing those words, “You’re hired,” or, “You’re fired.”
I have spent a quarter of my life celebrating Mass, baptizing, marrying, preaching, anointing, healing, absolving, consoling, and burying God’s people.
Half of those days – some 1,800 – have been spent here, often at this altar, breaking bread with you and for you.
It reminds me there’s one universal task, which we’re all held accountable to in the end, each in our own way: “Love one another.”
I’m humbled and grateful to say I have both given and received such love from so many people in so many places over the last 40 years, but most especially here as a priest in this community of faith.
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While some gathered here today still may have much to accomplish in terms of pursuing academic excellence or growing in their career, both of which are wonderful things, it is my hope that we can also climb that “second mountain” together.
It’s the only mountain God ever climbed.
May we love one another the way that Christ has loved us.
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Image credits: (1) Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (2) Today’s Catholic (3) Tempaper