Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Rv. 7:9, 14-17; Jn. 10:27-30
Love one another as I have loved you!
1. Today's Gospel reading demonstrates that Christ saves us from the Cross. “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” (Jn. 12:32). On the eve of his death, Christ addressed his Apostles thus: “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” (Jn. 13:31). Christ was glorified because he was obedient to his father. “Christ Jesus did not regard equality with God but emptied himself and found human in appearance; He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him.” (Phil. 2: 5-11). Christ wanted his apostles, and by extension, all of us, to emulate his self-sacrificial love and share the same with the world. “This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:35).
2. Christ, the new Moses, gave his disciples a new commandment: Love one another. St Augustine asked: “But wasn't this commandment already part of the ancient law of God, where it is written You shall love your neighbor as yourself? Why, then, is it called a new one by the Lord when it is really so old?” Leviticus 19:18 encourages the Israelites to “Love your neighbor as yourselves.” But Christ commands, “Love one another as I have loved you.” He loved his disciples by dying on the Cross for them. “Greater love than this no man has that a man should lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn. 15:13). According to St. Augustine, “Christ's love renews us, making us new men, heirs of the New Testament, singers of the new song. This is the love… that renewed the blessed apostles. This is the love that is now renewing the nations. From among the universal race of man, which overspreads the whole world, is making and gathering together a new people, the body of the newly married spouse of the only begotten Son of God.”
3. This agape love made the early Christian community live together, sharing everything in common (Acts 2:42-46). It drove missionaries to the ends of the world, proclaiming the good news. It made men and women die martyrs for the sake of Christ. The early Christians experienced God’s love and could not keep it to themselves. Instead, they did all they could to teach and baptize others to share in God's abundant life and redemptive love (Mt. 28:19). Hence, during their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas encouraged the converts with these words, “We must undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Yes, an authentic Christian is not only interested in his own salvation but also profoundly concerned about the salvation of others. Merely giving some alms does not constitute the virtue of charity. Compelling interest in Church matters and Parish activities intended to strengthen the members’ faith is the obligation of every Christian. The early Christians proved their undying love by accepting hardships and even martyrdom for the faith. We can show our love for others by courteous correction of an erring person, words of encouragement to the suffering, and above all, through our prayers.
4. Christ wants us to accept and practice his new commandment of love. To love as he loves and forgive as he forgives us. We must always think of others before ourselves. This explains why a woman at the bedside of her unconscious fiancée will not give up hope but prays day and night for a miracle of healing. To love as Christ urges makes it possible for mothers whose children are killed by drunken drivers to forgive the killers. They chose the freedom of forgiveness and love over brokenness and grief. Many broken families would not experience brokenness if family members lived in love. Thousands of men, women, and children in jails, hospitals, and street corners, would not be there if cared for by those who should love them. Many poor, hungry, oppressed, and victims of war and riots found themselves in those situations because they were not loved. Even more shocking, thousands are suffering and are uneducated because their elected leaders are too selfish and corrupt to spend money on their education and wellbeing. Thousands live without Christ and His teachings because we have failed to exercise charity. Love, the distinguishing mark of Jesus’ kingdom, should spring from our own hearts. When we love, its ripple effect spreads to families, institutions, countries, and the world. The Book of the Apocalypse anticipates a new city of joy, peace, and love. John's vision (second reading) can only be realized if we obey the new commandment of love. Love is the only creative force that can transform the world. It enriches the recipient without impoverishing the giver. Therefore, Mother Theresa exhorts to spread love everywhere you go, in your family. Give love to your children, husbands, and next-door neighbors.
5. Let us be reminded that if there are problems in our families, it could be that we forgot to obey the commandment of love. If our churches are empty, maybe we have failed to show love. Suppose there are problems in our schools, workplace, communities, or nation. It is because somewhere, somehow, someone has forgotten, ignored, or failed to put the commandment of love into practice. Therefore, we have not experienced the new city, our heavenly Jerusalem, here on earth. If Christians were to love as Christ commands, our churches would be teeming with people; instead of closing them, we would be building new ones. Let us begin to love genuinely and thus create the kingdom of God. Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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