The Command of Love

It seems there are those weeks where the Mass readings have a central theme and sometimes you feel there is a sense of urgency when those themes are repeated. This week the focus has been on "Love." For three days we have been listening to the 15th chapter of Saint John's Gospel. On Wednesday, we heard the gospel from last weekend, "The Vine and the branches..." Then, yesterday and today, we have listened to the gospel passages about love. As a preview, we will also listen to the passages on love this weekend, especially if you hear the gospel from the Sixth Sunday of Easter. In John 15:12-17, Jesus says right at the beginning, "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you." The passage concludes with Jesus saying, "This I command you: love one another." Twice, Jesus reinforces the gift of love is a commandment. He even says that elsewhere in the gospels when he is questioned about what the great commandment is. At that time the Lord tells us the great commandment is to love God and to love our neighbor as ourself. Love is a beautiful gift and it is also a challenge! Maybe we find it difficult to show our love to someone or sometimes people struggle in their relationship with God and may find it hard to love Him. God loves us unconditionally! In fact, God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to be our Savior. Jesus is the ultimate example of this verse, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." Jesus gave his all when he was nailed to the cross. That love extends to the resurrection because our Lord wants us to share in his gift of eternal life. Love is a key component in our lives and in our relationships and maybe that is where the urgency comes from. We live in a world that needs love. Perhaps that love needs to happen in our own communities, families, and churches. If we are going to preach love, we need to live it. As the song says, "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love..." Let us pray that the love of God will flow through our minds and hearts and radiate toward others. Love is a great gift and we need to share it now! Have a blessed day!!!