Sixth Sunday of Easter: B: May 9, 2021

 JESUS' COMMANDMENT OF LOVE

First Reading: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35 and 44-48

Second Reading: 1 John 4: 7-10

Gospel Reading: John 15: 9-17

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid account of the baptism of Cornelius, a  non-Jew and a Roman Centurion with his family is given. While St. Peter was speaking to them about Jesus and His  ministry Holy Spirit came down on them. This incident explicitly showed to the Apostles that God is not selective in His love. His salvation is open to all peoples and all nationalities. 

  *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. This is probably the most important statement made about God: that God is love in its fullness. The proof of God's love for humankind is that He sent His only Son into the world to give us eternal life and make expiation for the sins of the whole humanity. 

Love one another  as I have loved you.                                               Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus expresses His love for His disciples. In return their love for Him should be expressed by keeping His commandments. Jesus is not speaking about the ten commandments which were given to Moses by the Lord God on Mount Sinai. In the Gospels we have definite guidelines so as to keep His commandments in our day to day lives. It could be summarised in the following manner:                                                                                          1. Do not return evil for evil. Nothing is achieved by  revenge and retaliation. 2. Do not judge others. Leave the judgments to God. 3. Do not worry about food and drink and cloths as if these are the most important things in life. Our first concern should be to live as Christ wants us. 4. Do not look back once you have decided to follow Jesus. 5. Let your light shine before people. 6. Love your enemies. Not  just your friends and cronies. 7. Give and you will receive in abundance. 8. Forgive everyone who sins against you. 9. Take this bread and eat it. Take this  cup and drink from it. Eucharist is the primary nourishment to live as followers of the Lord. 10. Finally, love one another as I have loved you. If we follow these dos and don'ts then probably we will be able to fulfill the commandment of love. 

"Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks you. Will you be that one to Him?" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.