6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR B)

1st Reading           Acts 10: 25-26. 34-35. 44-48

Psalm                      98: 1 .2 -3ab. 3cd-4 (R. cf. 2)

2nd Reading        1 John 4: 7-10

Gospel                   John 15: 9-17

LOVE MUST PROMOTE LIFE.

Brothers and Sisters, we launch into the 6th Week of Easter, with its Sunday being the first Sunday of May. Familiar to many Catholics and non-Catholics alike, May is a month dedicated to the praying of the Holy Rosary. The first thing we have to start thinking about is how to make the best out of the month with the praying of the Rosary so that we grow in our spiritual life. In May, let us strive to seek Mary's maternal aid as we so desire to become more and more conformed to Christ's image.

In talking about growing in the spiritual life, which also affects every aspect of our lives, the Gospel passage for this Sunday (Jn. 15: 9-17) gives us a very vital tool. Let us, however, note that the passage we are reading is a continuation of last Sunday's reading (Jn. 15: 1-8). This is "lectio continua". Last Sunday, we established that *growth in the spiritual life needs to be guided*. This Sunday, we look at the principal and driving force of guidance in the spiritual life — LOVE. Jesus said in this regard that "remain in my love" (Jn. 15: 9b). Last Sunday also, Jesus said, "remain in me" (Jn. 15: 4, 7). He is specific by asking us to remain in his love. The question stands now as "How would we remain in his love?". This is answered by Jesus himself when he said, "If you keep my commandments, you shall remain in my love" (Jn. 15: 10). This means that anyone who keeps his commandments remains in his love. This begs the question of the relationship between love and keeping commandments and what that commandment is.

Let us look at what that commandment is. Jesus again gives the answer and says, "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you" (v. 12). This implies that to remain in Christ's love, you need to love as Christ loved you. Remember that Jesus said these same words in Jn. 13: 34. Also, this is the same assertion found in Leviticus 19: 18, "Love your neighbour as yourself." Who is the "one another"? The Greek word used is "allēlōn", and this could be seen within the context of a reciprocal giving. This means that what you have you give to the other while the other gives you what he has. The basic thing we have common to all is the fact that we are human beings. Loving one another implies giving yourself as a human being to another who also gives himself back as a human being, but without discrimination. This idea is carried by Lev. 19:18, which uses the Hebrew word REA' to mean a neighbour. That word could be translated as "a fellow citizen". This is one who is in familiar ties with you. The only thing that makes all of us a family is our being human. Therefore, the Greek and Hebrew understanding does not introduce any discrimination. We are to love everyone without distinction and discrimination. 

The point now is, "What is that love that I am supposed to give out to everyone without distinction and discrimination so that I can remain in Christ's love?" I want to propose that we can understand this in the light of last Sunday's passage since what we are reflecting on is a continuation from where we stopped last week. 

You love yourself when you choose to remain in Christ when you allow yourself to be guided by God, the vinedresser, and nourished by Christ, the Vine, because you are a branch. Loving your neighbour will entail ensuring that he is  also guided by God, the vinedresser and nourished by Christ, the Vine. Remaining in the vine as a branch is attached to the tree points to the giving of life from the tree. Similarly, the love of a neighbour, by ensuring that he remains in the vine, points to the fact that you seek the continuation of your neighbour's life. This is because, to love your neighbour is to bring him closer to the source of life, the Vine. Therefore, a love that does not seek to promote life is deadly; it is hatred. Love must promote life.

The things we do to ourselves to promote our own lives and not lead us to death and not being cut off from Christ, these we are to help others do. Of course, what is contrary to God's law leads to destruction. It only means that only what is in relation to God's commandment leads to life. These are the things we ought to bring to the doorstep of everyone without distinction and discrimination. We are sure that others will also help us to be right with God if we help them to strive to be right with God. 

We pray that we may love as Christ loved us and that our love for one another will further their lives and ours. May Mary, mother, most amiable aid us to love without distinction and discrimination. 

Pax et Bonum 🙏❤️🕊