All love in action begins with Jesus’ love and action. He’s not only our model, our pattern, our way, and our good shepherd. He’s also our gate, both to the Father and to loving others as He loves. It’s his mercy, courage, and patience that fills our weakness and makes our love supernaturally effective. The Gospel of John tells us that to those who receive Him, who believe in his name, He gives power to become children of God. Elsewhere in the Gospel, Jesus says to his disciples, “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” (Mt. 10:40)

A life of love in action has a lot to do with receiving Jesus and others. It’s a lot about practicing the gift of hospitality, living in expectation of the unexpected visitation of God. Jesus tells us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” (Rev. 3:20) If you want to practice hospitality, you need to be open to having your day interrupted. Jesus interrupts us so that we can welcome Him into our lives in new ways and to welcome his mercy. He also interrupts us to call us to welcome others with Him.

We have a convent in the Bronx and it’s right next to a school. One time, a kindergartener asked a sister, “What’s on your head?” So, the sister started talking about veils and brides and weddings. She finished by saying, “Well, as a sister, I wear a veil because I’m married to Jesus.” The little girl, as only a Bronx five-year-old could, slammed her hands down on the cafeteria table and said, “He chose you?!”

Thanks a lot, kid. Don’t think I don’t ask myself the same question every time I look in the mirror? But it’s true! Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, chose me. And you know what? He chose you, too. He gave Himself completely. He suffered the humiliation and pain of the cross for you. Why? Because He loves your love. He values your unique, unrepeatable love. If you don’t love Jesus with your love, no one else can.

Jesus associates Himself with the lowliest, the vulnerable ones, the helpless in our midst. He says, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.” (Mt. 25:40, NIV) Each of you has particular and personal gifts that God has given you—spiritual gifts, gifts of nature, gifts of grace. Some of them are remarkable gifts, and some of them are very humble. Each of them matter. Each of them is needed.

One of my sisters was accompanying a pregnant woman whose baby was very sick with indications that her genetic abnormalities would require intensive lifelong care. The doctors were pressuring her to abort. She didn’t want to, and yet she knew that she did not have the resources to parent this child.

After months of praying and searching, no family was found to adopt this little one. Very late in the pregnancy, one of our priest friends announced from the pulpit one Sunday what the situation was, and that this baby needed a family willing to adopt her.

Within 24 hours, seven couples came forward asking to adopt her. Seven couples within 24 hours were willing to allow their lives to be interrupted at short notice by a baby who would need lifelong care. It’s a privilege and honor to go out of our way to serve Jesus in those who need a welcome.

Every day Jesus shows up through your yes to love, whether it’s a neighbor asking for a ride, or the opportunity to hold our tongues. Jesus is consoled by our willingness to offer our sufferings to Him for others who don’t know Him or who might be tempted. In every act of love to which we say “yes,” Jesus Himself is loved.