AS THE FATHER HAS LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVED YOU
(A biblical refection on THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – May 13, 2012)
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17
First Reading: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48; Psalms: Ps 98:1-4; Second Reading: 1Jn 4:7-10
The Scripture Text
“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.” (Jn 15:9-17 RSV)
Some mighty powerful thoughts can be expressed in very tiny sentences. Here, I would like to cite two examples only on the subject of love. Both sentences have only three words. The first is: “I love you.” When those words are spoken sincerely and intelligently, they are about the three nicest words you could ever hope to hear. But if said thoughtlessly or worst, deceptively, they have no beauty and become bearers of serious harm. This sentence is one of the most used and abused, producing both happiness and pain. Whether saying it or hearing it, be sure you understand it. Remember the old adage, “You can be kissed by a fool and fooled by a kiss.”
Love is one of those mysteriously fundamental words whose full meaning is difficult to understand and explain, for it has many meanings.Saint Paul struggled to define love. The best he could do was to supply adjectives explaining what love is and what it is not. He said love is patient and kind. He said it is not jealous, nor snobbish, never rude nor self-seeking (see 1Cor 13:4-7).
In the second reading of today’s Mass, Saint John, the apostle of love with his deep searching mind, gives a beautiful definition which is the second powerful little sentence: “God is love.” John develops his thoughts: “He who abides in love, abides in God and God in him.” This profound passage has been set to music and is often sung as a refrain at liturgical celebrations, especially at penance services. When sung well the lyrics and melody evoke noble sentiments in us.
That “God is love,” is a thought that could well dominate this Sunday’s liturgy. There is a strong modern feeling that sex is love, without which there can be no complete love. What do you think? Some brag triumphantly, “We went all the way.” That statement indicates that there is no further one can go. Not true! Sex is obviously a good and necessary part of human existence, and without it we would be one generation from the end of humanity. However, sex is not love but the expression of love. Sex is an occasional union; love is a constant one. Sex can grow weak, even die; genuine love does not. Love alone can take you all the way.
Now, even in my old days I still hear people talking about free love. What in the world is that? Love is a many-splendored thing (remember the old popular song of the 1950’s?), but clearly it is not free at all! True love is very demanding. It causes each lover to make many personal sacrifices for the sake of the other. Love, like the invisible yet irresistible force of gravity, pulls one into the world of another. It is neither free nor carefree. I has a million strings attached.
Various books, magazines, movies, television programs as well as stuffs which we can access through internet cheaply splash the word “love” across their titles and in their stories. These could be called exhibitions, orgies or sensationalisms, but all fair-minded people should shout, “Don’t call it love.”
In our efforts to purify the environment by promoting clean air and water, we should not forget that love also needs to be purified for it is a thing of beauty, blessed with lasting intrinsic value. Too long have we dragged it through the gutters of society. “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1Cor 13:13).
Short Prayer: Heavenly Father, ever-living God, help us to celebrate our joy in the resurrection of the Lord and to express in our lives the love we celebrate. We pray this, in the most precious name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
