Homilies

The early Christians stood out—not because of unique clothing or special customs, nor because they spoke their own language or lived separately from others—but because they behaved differently. They were ordinary people indistinguishable from their neighbors in all outward appearances, yet they were known unmistakably by one profound truth: the way they loved.

Jesus speaks clearly: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is not our attire, nationality, or language that sets us apart. It is not even the symbols we wear or the places we gather. Rather, it is our willingness to embody love—to make tangible and visible the love that Christ himself has shown us.

When we have doubts about someone’s integrity, we often say, “Actions speak louder than words.” And indeed, genuine love, trustworthiness, and compassion become real to us not through promises or claims, but through what someone actually does.

This is at the heart of Jesus’ words: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Jesus makes clear that following him is not about simply knowing the right words or holding correct beliefs. Rather, true discipleship is revealed in our actions—actions that reflect his own. The context of this Gospel is people asking Jesus to speak plainly and reveal whether he is the messiah. Jesus responds by pointing not to what he has said, but to what he has done. His works—healing the sick, caring for the poor, forgiving sinners—speak clearly and powerfully. They are the signs that God the Father is present, working in and through him.

There is a saying we have all heard countless times: “God never gives us more than we can handle.” While it might sound comforting, it is simply not true. Life’s experiences teach us otherwise. Think of the parent who loses a child, the person diagnosed with a terminal illness, or someone facing the shock of unemployment. In these moments, the burdens are undeniably overwhelming, stretching human strength far beyond its limits.