SUNDAY MAY 5, 2024
SUNDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER B
Acts 10:25-26.34-35.44-48
1 John 4:7-10
John 15:9-17
RECIPROCATING THE UNIVERSAL LOVE OF CHRIST
The love Jesus gave to the world was not a love for some selected people, or love for some particular clan, tribe, race, sect, religion or creed. The Love of Christ is universal, have no preference or favouritism. All the readings of today point to this universality of Jesus’ love.
Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection was intended to be for all men and women especially those who appreciate and believe and especially those that will come to believe in him.
The fact that rain falls for all and the sun shines for all without having preference for anyone shows that God loves all equally.
It was not surprising when saint Peter came to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile convert and preached to him, and the Holy Spirit came down upon the household of Cornelius. The fact that Cornelius welcomed the messengers of God and the teachings of saint Peter gave credence to their belief in God and in Christ Jesus. And immediately, God manifested his overwhelming love by giving Cornelius and his household the the gift of the Holy Spirit, manifesting in speaking in tongues as also Peter and the other apostles witnessed it and testified. It proves that God’s love is a universal love, and love is his emblem to the world.
To belong to God and rather our claim to be for God must be shown in the love we have for one another. So love is the command we have been given to show our belongingness to God. As Jesus instructs us in today’s gospel, “This I command you, to love one another.” And in another place he tells us, “this is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
The quality of love that Jesus expects from us is not one that seeks to satisfy oneself, or that takes from others, or that gratifies ones ego, sexual quest or anything of self. Because our world sees love from the point of view of emotions and affection alone. Such quality of love is turned to oneself and satisfying oneself. But Jesus gives us the quality and type of love that he wants us to possess and this Jesus also gives to us.
It is love that lays down its life for others. He says, “greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends.” Love is self giving, it is sacrificial, it is to the point of giving up ones life for the benefit of others. It starts from the little things, like in a family. A mother or father sacrifices their comfort, time, resources, pleasures and all to the comfort, safeguard and well-being of his children.
So to love is to die for the other. It is demanding, and absolutely sacrificial. The great sacrifice in loving would pull one to give up his life and never to take from the other. So, in Christian love, we see a radically different teaching on love. Love is not just a mere feeling, or affection, or compassion. It is much more than that.
Love demands forgiving, accommodating, encouraging, fostering unity, oneness and always ready to sacrifice for others. This is the love Jesus shows and expects us to have for one another. Anything short of this can never be described as love.
When we love this way, we show that we belong to Christ and are sons and daughters of God who is love. For God is love.
Heavenly Father, you loved us so much and in Jesus’ suffering and death, you showed us the depth of your love. May we love as you are, sacrificing for others, giving ourselves for the good of others and bringing joy, peace and salvation into lives of people without counting the cost. Through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
