By Amala William csc –
Readings: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 Jn 4: 7-10; Jn 15: 9-17
In the first reading, Peter puts God at the forefront. He acknowledges that God is the one to be worshipped and not him. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit came to the Gentiles. Peter and the circumcised were amazed at what they had seen. In the second reading we hear God is the source of love and that he loved us at first. So, we ought to love him and his creation in return.
Through the gospel, we receive the invitation to ‘abide in God’s love and to bear abundant fruit’. It explains the consequence of responding to his divine love. Today’s readings reflect upon the theme of love; the love that reaches out to others without any expectation and reward.
It requires us to downplay our status and put God in a prime place. As human beings, love is instilled in us by God, and we must share this love with everybody. This divine love is poured upon us from the cross through Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches about love in several places (Jn 14:15, 1 Cor 13 and 1 Cor 16:14). It is the unavoidable running theme in each book.
In the present time, we come across the term love with a secular meaning. The spiritual meaning of love enables us to let go of our ego and do good to the one who has done evil. Sometimes, it is hard to downplay one’s role and give credit to God or anybody else. I want to be loved by all and they should speak about the work I have done. Yet, I hesitate to give the simplest compliment to others who really deserve it. Jesus wants me to change my attitude and appreciate the good things around me, through which I show my love for the creator and the creation.
On this day, let us pray for the grace to realise the overflowing love of God from which everything came into being. The universe is his handy work, and we all have a role to love and live as a family.