Posted on 05/07/2021 8:53:19 AM PDT by MurphsLaw
FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER
JOHN 15:12–17
Friends, today’s Gospel instructs us in the way of loving others with God’s love. The whole of the Christian life is on display here: God is love. In other words, God is a self-emptying gift on behalf of the other. But this means, paradoxically, that to have God is to be what God is—and that means giving one’s life away.
Now we see the link that Jesus suggests between joy and commandment: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you." Now we begin to understand the laws, commands, and demands of the Church. All are designed to make us more adept at giving ourselves away—more adept at love.
Don’t steal; don’t kill; don’t covet your neighbor’s goods or spouse; honor your mother and father; worship God. All of these commands—positive and negative—are meant to awaken love in our lives.
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