Commandment to Love

The WORD today reminds me of God’s commandment to love one another

The readings today are full of love. The first reading shows us God’s love for everyone. Jews and Gentiles. The second reading reminds us that we should love one another for God is love. In today's gospel, we see Jesus telling us twice that we are commanded to love each other. It says:

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

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This I command you: love one another.”

If he says it twice, he must really be serious! And it is not a request or a favor. It is a commandment. That we should love one another. 

He commanded us to love one another. Not just to love him. Our love for God should be lived as we love one another - especially those unlovable. It is easy to love family and friends, those who have been good to you. But God did not say to just love those easy to love. In the same way he died for us, we too should also die of our desires and allow God to love others through us. 

Loving one another does not always entail pain or sacrifice. We can love others by not joining people who treat an annoying or weird person badly. We can love others by sharing our food to those who do not have much. We can love others by lending a listening ear to a friend who is depressed and lonely. Simple things, done out of love, become great actions. 

Who does God want me to love in a personal way today? How can I love him/her? What is Jesus telling me about love? What can I do to make God’s love more real and more alive in this world?

May we heed God’s command to love one another, whatever situation we may be in. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another day to love. Thank you for being patient with me. Sorry for the times I choose who to love. Sorry for loving only those easy to love. Sorry for not loving others the way you want me to. Help me love like you do. Lord, help me love others because I love you. In my own little way, may I remind them of your love. In my own little way, may I make your love more alive in this world.  Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/05/keep-his-word.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/05/love-one-another_10.html

May 09, 2021

6th Sunday of Easter; Blessed Nicholas Albergati

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FIRST READING

Acts 10:25–26, 34–35, 44–48

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” 

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.” 

While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. 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.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 98:1, 2–3, 3–4 (see 2b)

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. or R. Alleluia. 

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. 

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. or R. Alleluia. 

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. 

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. or R. Alleluia. 

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. 

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. or R. Alleluia.

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SECOND READING

1 John 4:7–10

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

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ALLELUIA

John 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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GOSPEL

John 15:9–17

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

“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. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”