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 conversion and baptism of Cornelius, a non-Jew and a Roman Centurion with his family is given. While St. Peter speaks to them about Jesus and His ministry, Holy Spirit comes down on them. This incident explicitly reveals to the Apostles that God is not selective in His love and He wants everyone to be saved. His salvation is open to all people and all nationalities.
*Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John makes a very important statement 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 deep love for His beloved disciples. In return, their love for Him is to be expressed by keeping His commandments. Jesus in this context 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 and sign-posts so as to keep His commandments in our day to day lives. They could be summarized 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 judgements to God. 3. Do not worry about food , drink and cloths as if these are the most important things in life. Our primary concern should be to live as Christ wants us to. 4. Do not look back once you have decided to follow Jesus. 5. Let your light shine before everyone. 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 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 do's and don'ts then probably we will be able to fulfill the commandment of love given by the Lord.
"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
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