Greetings on this the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 1 Jn 4:7-10; Jn 15:9-17
Summary
The word love is used 21 times in our scripture readings today. In the gospel portion alone, from the lips of Jesus, nine times. In all literature how much has been written of love? Is it not the most important topic of all? Yet its meaning sometimes escapes us. Let’s go through the various expressions of defining love as given us today in sacred Scripture.
In the first reading, we focus on love through Peter’s actions: When Peter, Then Peter, While Peter, and Then Peter.
- Cornelius tried to pay him homage, yet, Get up. I myself am also a human being. Humility.
- Peter proceeded to speak of the open heart of G-d, In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him. Witness. - While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. Prophetic Fulfillment.
- Then Peter, Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have? Taught.
- He ordered, He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Sacramental Grace dispensed.
Love then is humility, witness, prophetic fulfillment, is taught and is sacramentally dispensed.
In the second reading, the Apostle John describes love in another vector.
- Love is of God. Essence.
- Love is a begotten (fathered) by God. Gifted.
- Love is life. Life giving.
- Love is a response to divine love. Response.
- Ultimate love is in the Father who sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Forgiveness.
Love then is the divine essence, gifted to us, a response from us and is forgiving for/to/by us.
In the Alleluia verse.
- Love is keeping his word. Fidelity.
- Live is a dwelling of the divine with us and within us. Indwelling.
In the gospel portion, from the lips of Jesus.
- Love is reciprocal.
- Love is remaining, dwelling.
- Love keeps faithfully.
- Love is Joy making.
- Love is a commandment.
- Love is for everyone, one another.
- Love is all in (lay down one’s life).
- Love is friendship.
- Love is to hear, share, choose, ask from/to/by love.
- Love is to appoint and bear fruit.
Love then is reciprocal, indwelling, Joy making, commanded, for everyone, fully, friendship, chosen and appointed and bears good fruit.
Reflection
In our readings today we see love as not merely a state of mind but a condition of being and the outflow of action. Make no mistake the action can come first too! Did we not read the Holy Spirit came and blessed before baptism (the ordinary sequence)? Do not place limiters on the love of God! Perhaps I can say it this way:
- Feelings, emotions and moods are fleeting realities, responses to stimuli.
- Love is a decision and the resulting actions flowing from the decision. We teach ourselves to love. We have the tools of love imbedded within us directly from the Father.
Personal Reflection
The song!
I will choose christ, i will choose love, i choose to serve.
i give my heart, i give my life, i give my all to you.
How many times must he call my name, and show to me that he is god.
and as a servant he calls to me: "you must serve too."
I will choose christ, i will choose love, i choose to serve.
i give my heart, i give my life, i give my all to you.
Christ my teacher and healer, teach my heart and heal my soul.
and as i walk this road with you: teach me to love.
I will choose christ, i will choose love, i choose to serve.
i give my heart, i give my life, i give my all to you.
And as i look upon your cross, so must i die with you.
and with the death of my own desires, i shall rise with you.
I will choose christ, i will choose love, i choose to serve.
i give my heart, i give my life, i give my all to you.
From YouTube:
From Songlyrics: https://www.songlyrics.com/tom-booth/i-will-choose-christ-lyrics/
First Reading
Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?” He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Responsorial
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Second Reading
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Gospel Acclamation
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
Gospel
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love 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.
This I command you: love one another.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 