MUTUAL LOVE SERIES – “Love one another with mutual affection” (08/14/2025)

In Paul’s instructions to us about the duties of discipleship in Romans 12, his second imperative in verse 10 is “Love one another with mutual affection; show honor to one another.”  As believers in Jesus Christ, Son of God, we recognize that we are family. We are daughters and sons of the Father Almighty and brothers and sisters of Christ. We are called to look upon one another as family, loving one another with mutual affection and respecting one another.  

Thinking about those around us in our neighborhood, in our community, in our church, in our area as “family” brings things to a whole new level when we consider who we are and what we are called to believe and live. And as I thought of it, two memories came to mind of events in our history in this country of individuals who saw loved others as “family”.

It was 1918. A boy with polio and leg braces needed help getting up the stairs at the home. An older boy hoisted him up and began climbing the stairs. Father Flanagan, the founder and resident authority called to the older boy, Whitey, asking him if he could handle the task. Whitey, responded, “He ain’t heavy, Father, he’s my brother.”

Many of us know the story, perhaps we’ve seen the black and white film starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney made in 1938. It was mainly through that movie that the world came to recognize Fr. Edward Flanagan and his efforts to provide for homeless and underprivileged boys by providing them with a home, an education, and opportunities.

Boys Town was founded in 1917 in Omaha, Nebraska. When it outgrew its original boarding home, it was moved outside Omaha and became its own community. It still exists. It has grown from a modest beginning to a community that boasts its own police department, fire department, post office, church and homes. In 1979, Boys Town began accepting girls into the homes. Thousands of young people have been helped over the 100+ years of Boys Town’s existence. And their motto remains the same, “He’s not heavy; he’s my brother.”  

Fr. Flanagan believed that the youth he encountered who were in such need were “family” and he approached the situation from that perspective. And the youth who came to call Boys Town home came to feel like family but also to recognize the needs of others and respond. It started small, but it is still making a difference to this day.

Then there’s the story of a promise made in a desperate prayer in the early 1950s when a struggling comedian, singer and actor prayed, “Show me the way in life and I will build a shrine.” Shortly after he began his prayers, jobs started opening up. Danny Thomas found himself in roles in movies and on television. And he knew he needed to keep his promise.

He approached his spiritual mentor, Bishop Samuel Stritch who was bishop of Danny’s hometown, Toledo, Ohio. He had confirmed Thomas as a youth in 1921. Bishop Stritch and Thomas discussed opening a hospital for children. The bishop recommended Memphis, his own hometown. And the dream began.

Thomas spent over a decade raising money to found, build and open St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a non-profit medical center dedicated to finding the causes of cancer and developing effective treatments. Thomas’ mantra in raising money for the cause was “No child should die in the dawn of life.” And Thomas dedicated the hospital to St. Jude, the patron saint of hope in hopeless situations.

In 1962, Thomas opened St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis with the help of Dr. Lemuel Diggs and a close friend, Anthony Abraham. Families were encouraged to bring their children for diagnosis and treatments at no cost to the families. The costs for travel, housing , food, and treatment were covered so the families could focus on loving their children in those difficult times. And Thomas’ dream grew as the needs of families from across the country were being addressed.

In 1979, Danny Thomas’ own 11-year-old son died of leukemia. Thomas’ efforts for the children of other parents intensified as his understanding of the need in the midst of such suffering grew. Over the years, there have been another 8 affiliate clinics built across the United States. 

Fr. Flanagan understood as do those who to this day support Boys Town. Danny Thomas understood as do those who to this day support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. They understand the love we are called to have for one another, a familial love where we feel called to honor and uplift one another, where we understand personal sacrifice in order to meet the very real needs of another.

We aren’t all called to be Fr. Flanagan or Danny Thomas, but we are all called to love one another as family. This day as we go out, let us do so recognizing the struggles of our brothers and sisters. Let us be willing to do what we can to help, to respect them in their struggles, and to love them as our LORD Jesus Christ loves them.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.