Whoever said “talk is cheap” has clearly never sought advice from a lawyer before. But it’s true that actions speak louder than words. We are more sceptical about things than we used to be, and we tend to challenge assertions and seek proof of the integrity of what someone is saying. Often, we are told to “put our money where our mouth is” or demonstrate that “we have skin in the game” to show our commitment to something or other. We are far more likely to judge a person by what they do rather than what they say. It’s a well-known fact that Christians are called to love others, but the world judges us by our actions rather than our confessions. We are seen as hypocrites and news stories about the wealth of churches, or their pastors, only serve to reinforce this perception. This is the point made by our readings today.

Our gospel reading comes from John where Jesus refers to Himself as “the good shepherd”. The good shepherd is a biblical figure who commits themselves out of love to care for the people of Israel. Jesus states that He loves us so much that He will even give His life for us. He shows His love for us by doing exactly that. Caring for us is not a job for Him, He does it out of love not obligation or reward. This is how we know what love is according to our second reading, the first letter of John, that Jesus died for us. But the author of this letter goes on to say that if we have material possessions and we see another in need and we do not help them, how can we say we love them? He encourages us to not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

On a day when we remember the sacrifice of the ANZAC’s, we need to consider the sacrifices we make as Christians. The commandment to love others involves showing love which involves a sacrifice. We may sacrifice money that we could spend on ourselves to help others who have less. We may sacrifice time that we could spend on ourselves to be with others who need us. We may sacrifice our “right” for revenge when we forgive someone. The call of Christ to follow Him involves a sacrifice. Are we willing to do this or is it easier to say we love than to actually show love? How many “Christians” with investment properties, savings portfolios, and large amounts of disposable income say they love others but refuse to help those in need? How many are only concerned that their comforts are preserved? We profess to be followers of Jesus; Jesus asks us to prove it. May we not simply “love with words or speech but with actions and in truth”. If we are stepping over homeless people to get into our comfortable churches, something is wrong.