Reflection for 6th Sunday of Easter: May 9, 2021

Reflection for 6^th Sunday of Easter: May 9, 2021

(Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48): This reading begins with Peter’s having to clear up Cornelius’ mistaking Peter as being divine or having super-powers. Peter had to clarify his status and role and reassure him (Cornelius) that Peter was a mere mortal being used as God’s instrument of healing and evangelization. Then, Peter validates Israel’s status as God’s favored nation, but qualifies this to state that this primacy of Israel doesn’t imply that God doesn’t will to open the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ to all the nations. Peter offers reassuring words: “Rather, in every nation, whoever fears Him and acts uprightly is acceptable to Him.” In the final section of this passage we are shown that the Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles, as witnessed by circumcised Jewish Christians. Thus, Peter and the Christian community there conclude that there is no valid argument against Gentiles’ being baptized, given that they had already been shown to have received the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

(Psalm 98: “The Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power.”): This psalm, as the first reading does, emphasizes God’s special Covenant with Israel, while celebrating the salvation of all the nations; noting that “all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.” Once again, we rejoice over the mercy and generosity that God has shown to all the world, without partiality.

(1 John 4:7-10): This beautiful passage strongly affirms and proclaims that the essence of God is love, such that knowledge and experiences of loving and being loved are essential for knowing and understanding God. As the passage begins: “Brothers, let us love one another,” the author suggests that unless we are loving in relationships, we won’t be open to God’s Presence and guidance in our interactions with others or to God’s desires to reveal Himself to us, via love. Jesus is proclaimed as the ultimate expression of God’s Love. To know Jesus is to know Love which is God, Himself in the Holy Trinity. 

(John 15:9-17): Jesus offers us the revelation that the Love His Heavenly Father has for Him, (Jesus) is reflected in the love which Jesus has for us. Jesus pleads with us to “remain in His love,” noting that this means that we must keep His Commandments in order to do so. Jesus reveals here a mystical truth; that obedience to God’s Commandments brings wisdom, serenity, peace and a joy that cannot be experienced by those who live in disobedience to God or outside His Will.

Once again, Jesus affirms that our relationship with God is totally characterized by love, which needs must be evidenced by our loving relationships with one another. Since God is love and is in all, therefore we must love all, regardless of our personal preferences. Our love for God and for one another is a decision and not a feeling. Feelings are tentative and subject to change with variation of moods, while a love based upon a decision and firm commitment is enduring and much more worthy of trust. Therefore, Jesus is hereby giving us a command to decide to love, not a suggestion or command that we must necessarily feel love. Only after prayer and contemplation can we decide to love, despite hurt or angry feelings. When we decide to love anyway, despite feelings, we experience a joy and freedom that we might otherwise never know. It is liberating. 

As Jesus relates, He is our best friend, Who chose us before we chose  Him.

Let us be glad!
Deacon Matt