Staying in Love

Sixth Sunday of Easter 

06 May 2018

First reading                                                                      Acts 10:25-26, 33-35, 44-48
On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

Second reading                                                        1 John 4:7-10

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Gospel                                                                     John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples,

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved 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 do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.

You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.”

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

All of us have experienced falling in love. A child falls in love with his/her parents, probably the first time he/she sees them. A teenager falls in love with an attractive classmate. An adult falls in love with another individual who shares his/her interests or values.  I guess Jesus' contemporaries fell in love with Him too, and for various sorts of reasons. It could be His gentleness and genuine care for people, especially the outcasts and sinners. It could be His miracles such as healing the sick, bringing the dead back to life, or feeding 5,000+ people. It could be His unconditional and saving love that brought Him to the cross.

Falling in love is one thing, however in today's Gospel, Jesus invites us to something much deeper. The key word in the Lord's invitation is abide or stay (in His love). Unfortunately, not everyone who fell in love with Jesus stayed in love with Him. Remember those people who sang "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday, but shouted "Crucify Him!" on Good Friday? 

And yet, there are those whose love for the Lord endured.Think of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Mary Magdalene and the other women who courageously stood by Jesus as He hang on the cross. Down through the centuries, people fell in love and stayed in love with Jesus, in spite of many untold hardships. I could think of the innumerable martyrs of our faith.

Jesus calls us to a personal relationship with Him where falling in love won't be enough. We must stay in love. And because we are called to love one another, our relationship with others (spouse/partner, child, colleague, etc.) will only be fruitful if we stay in love. Remember those who have been married or have been in a ministry or profession (priesthood, religious, teaching, etc.) for many, many, many years and you get the idea. It ain't easy - some people are unlovable, some keep on hurting us, some have attitudes we cannot take - but the Lord who loves us will never leave us.

Prayer

Risen Lord, thank You for loving us. Strengthen us in our resolve to stay in Your love so that we may love one another as You have loved us. Amen.