"JESUS' COMMANDMENT OF LOVE"
First Reading : Acts 14: 21-27
Second Reading: Apocalypse 21: 1-5
Gospel Reading: John 12: 31-35
* First Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. This passage narrates the various missionary journeys of Saints Paul and Barnabas. During their journeys, they retrace their steps, encouraging the little communities of Christians which they had lovingly founded. The new disciples were encouraged to persevere in faith in the Lord Jesus in order to face persecutions and sufferings in future.
* Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. This passage describes the vision of St. John about the new creation and the final union of all the faithful with the Lord Jesus. The new world order that awaits us offers us peace and happiness in the company of the glorious Lord.
"Love one another even as I have loved you"
Today's Gospel passage is from St. John. In this passage Jesus asks His disciples and all of us to love others as He has loved us - to love unselfishly. To really love someone is to put the other person first. The parable of the good Samaritan graphically explains this message. It is simple and at the same time frightening. How many of us could do this in reality? We are happy with a few kind words and gestures- a commitment or two - and we have a good conscience. True love like true friendship is more difficult. It calls for an effort and it causes pain. It is not enough to say I love you or to say I care for you and do nothing about it. The deepest pain comes when our love is not returned or ignored by the person we love. Then it is hard to go on loving such a person. Often we flatly refuse to love those whom we consider - for some reason or other - unworthy of our love.
But to be true followers of Jesus we are singled out and are identified by our love for one another. Jesus demands that kind of love from each one of us.
"Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks you. Will you be that one to Him?" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"I asked Jesus, "How much do you love me ?" And Jesus said, "This much" Then He stretched out His arms and died." - Anon
First Reading : Acts 14: 21-27
Second Reading: Apocalypse 21: 1-5
Gospel Reading: John 12: 31-35
* First Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. This passage narrates the various missionary journeys of Saints Paul and Barnabas. During their journeys, they retrace their steps, encouraging the little communities of Christians which they had lovingly founded. The new disciples were encouraged to persevere in faith in the Lord Jesus in order to face persecutions and sufferings in future.
* Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. This passage describes the vision of St. John about the new creation and the final union of all the faithful with the Lord Jesus. The new world order that awaits us offers us peace and happiness in the company of the glorious Lord.
"Love one another even as I have loved you"
Today's Gospel passage is from St. John. In this passage Jesus asks His disciples and all of us to love others as He has loved us - to love unselfishly. To really love someone is to put the other person first. The parable of the good Samaritan graphically explains this message. It is simple and at the same time frightening. How many of us could do this in reality? We are happy with a few kind words and gestures- a commitment or two - and we have a good conscience. True love like true friendship is more difficult. It calls for an effort and it causes pain. It is not enough to say I love you or to say I care for you and do nothing about it. The deepest pain comes when our love is not returned or ignored by the person we love. Then it is hard to go on loving such a person. Often we flatly refuse to love those whom we consider - for some reason or other - unworthy of our love.
But to be true followers of Jesus we are singled out and are identified by our love for one another. Jesus demands that kind of love from each one of us.
"Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks you. Will you be that one to Him?" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"I asked Jesus, "How much do you love me ?" And Jesus said, "This much" Then He stretched out His arms and died." - Anon
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