What I command you, is to love one another

Acts 10.25-26.34-48, 1 Jn 4:7-10, Jn 15:9-17. On this Sixth Sunday of Easter Year B, the Church invites us to relive, appreciate and replicate the universal love of God. Today's first reading is an account of the conversion of Cornelius and his family and how they received the Holy Spirit. As Peter described it: “God does not have any favourite.” God wants everyone who would sincerely believe in Him to be saved and participate in Him through the Holy Spirit, for His love does not discriminate. While today's second reading develops on the universality of the love of God and the need to replicate it as Christians. Today, we are enjoined to remain in this love and to love one another as Christ loved us. Being created in the image of God, we must exhibit this love. When we love we are truly being and acting like God. When we love sincerely, we testify that the Spirit of God dwells in us.

Also, today's Gospel presents us a command to love: “What I command you, is to love one another.” As a command it means that we do not have any option than to love one another because we are products of love. This love flows from God to Christ and from Christ to us. A simple imagination will show us the great wonderful possibilities if we are able to do it: because of love, enemies are reconciled, warring countries re-establish peaceful and harmonious relationships, families are united and happy, the poor and hungry are attended to, criminals mend their ways, resources and blessings are generously shared among people, the truth is proclaimed, justice and peace prevail, kindness and generosity rule in society. Until now, many would think that this sounds so utopian, so ideal and unreal. However, that is because we just do not give love the chance to work. Yet, we must remember that at one point in human history, this was proven true and achievable. The early Christians did this and it was recorded that: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own… There was no needy person among them” (Acts 4:32.34). As Christians, we should be reminded that it is the greatest command of Jesus: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another (Jn 13:34).

May the Lord help us to love Him with all our might and love others unconditionally without discrimination! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!