May 6, 2018--Sixth Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
Second Reading: First John 4:7-10
Gospel: John 15:9-17

The night before he was killed ,Jesus commanded his followers to love one another. This love is not the same love we, hopefully, feel for our child, our fiancé, spouse, mother, father and best friend. Jesus commands and inspires love that is less instinctual than it is decisive. This love is for all humanity and for EACH person, a love we act upon and show with our eyes and every gesture out of intention to do the right thing and to be the best version of ourselves. This love shows NO partiality.

How can we possibly love people who have done us harm? How can we possibly love someone who has hurt people we love? How can we really love rather than merely pity starving people in Syria, Eritrea, Yemen and Afghanistan? How can we genuinely love people with whom we disagree on key issues? How can we love those we fear?

Those are just some of the questions we take to God, to sacred scripture, to inspiring writers, listening to heart tugging speakers, prophets of today and to our spiritual companion(s). Together we come to discern a power not of this world, a force of love that is indescribable, nonetheless REAL. Thomas Merton knew that kind of love, an oceanic oneness with all humanity. I know this love. It is palpable and all-encompassing and completely of God. Jesus’ Holy Spirit is the fount of this love flowing through each of us all the time. God loves you and loves through you. Thanks be to God!