No Greater Love ~ Mothers' Day ~ Sixth Sunday of Easter

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

1 Jn 4:7-10

Jn 15:9-17

We are reminded once again in John's gospel that it was love that caused the Father to send His Son to free us from our sins.  It was the Son's sacrificial death on the cross that showed the depths that Love can take.  Jesus wants us to follow His example... to walk in His footsteps, to keep His commandment so that His joy "may be in you and your joy might be complete."(Jn 15:11)  And what is that commandment?  None other than:  "...love one another as I love you." (Jn 15:17)  This kind of love is so great and so unselfish that a person would be willing to lay down their life for another!  Just as Jesus did for us.

This is a tall order and not as easy as it appears.  An unselfish love means that one is willing to give up one's own aspirations in order that another's needs can be met.  An unselfish love also promotes unity among people despite their differences.  Love also emphasizes equality among people...  Jesus was very clear in saying that we can no longer be called slaves who do not know what their master is doing.  No, Jesus calls us His friends because:  "I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."  (Jn 15:15)  Jesus gave this gift to His disciples even though they did not yet understand everything implied in the telling.

Did they understand that Love is THE attribute for God?  John tells us that in his first letter.  If you love, you know God.  If you are unable to love, you cannot know who God is...  So the big question becomes: How does one learn to love?