Love one another as I have loved you

Acts 15:7-15, Jn 15:9-11. A great spirit of enthusiasm was found in Peter and Paul when they found themselves among the Gentiles. What Jesus wanted from His disciples was found among foreigners even before their baptism. Peter recognised a second Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on the household of the Roman, Cornelius, just as when the Pentecost Spirit came to the group gathered in the upper room. So, he at once baptized those pagans in the name of Jesus Christ. All the whole laws and rules, regulations and customs, practices and actions required by the laws of Moses ultimately stemmed from this core and essential commandment of love that Jesus speaks of in today's Gospel. However, over time, the practice and the external appearances of these rules and regulations took more and greater importance than the essence and core of the Law itself, which is love.

Those people who wanted to impose the harsh fullness of the laws of Moses on all the believers wanted to do so because they put the appearances and external applications of the Law over true obedience and adherence to the Law of God, the Law of love. They had forgotten that God does not seek or desire all those external appellations and excessive showcasing of one's faith. Today, we are challenged to be true bearers of God’s love in our lives, through our every action, word and deed. We are invited to commit ourselves in everything to follow the will of God and to be filled with love in all things, in all that we do and in our every actions. We are called to live our lives with real and genuine faith.

May the Lord come to us with His untiring strength, end the conflicts which divide our world and reveal in our lives the loving-kindness of God! Amen!! Good morning, Peace be with you!!!