Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-4
1 Jn 4:7-10
Jn 15:9-17

Love

In the first reading for Sunday, we see the new community of Jesus expanding to include gentiles as Peter says, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” Cornelius, a gentile, and his family are baptized and the Holy Spirit comes upon them.

The second reading from 1 John expands the importance of inclusion very clearly when he writes, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” We are to love one another regardless of who the other is. This is not always easy but we are called to see the face of Jesus in all persons we interact with, and with love, be the face of Jesus to all we meet.

The message to love cannot be any clearer than the words of Jesus in Sunday’s gospel. Read the words several times and reflect on the message of Jesus.

Jesus said to his disciples: 

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."

We are often mistaken in thinking that we have to do great acts, give away all we have or strike our breast in sorrow before God will love us. The gospel is clear – we are chosen by God. Nothing we do can earn God’s love. It is freely given. God doesn’t need our love; God’s love for us is unconditional. But in order to get more out of God’s love, we have to give it away. The more we give, the more we have. It is up to us to respond to God’s love, and through our lives, pass that love on to others. It goes without saying that it should be an inclusive love freely given to all we meet.

Jesus is giving us a high calling that is not easy. How can we do this? Well, we can’t do it on our own. It is only the love of God working in us that makes it possible for us to truly love. Jesus said, “Remain in my love.” This is the key. We need to realize that we have God’s love within us and that we are in a deep personal relationship with Jesus when he calls us friends. When we try to live good lives and align ourselves with God’s will for us, we will be able to love ourselves and others. It will then be amazing what God can and will do through us

How can you come to own and practice this little prayer – “God, help me to know your love and share it with others.”

Reflect on how well you love people in your life in a self-giving, active way. Who do you need to love better? Ask God to help you love them as He loves them.