Readings: Acts 10:25-26, 34–35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17
The first reading:
In Acts 10:25-26, Peter encounters Cornelius who falls at his feet in reverence. However, Peter stops him, saying “Get up stating that he himself is just a man” This highlights Peter's understanding that he is not to be worshipped but to direct reverence to God alone. Verses 34-35 portray Peter's realization that God shows no favoritism but accepts people from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
Verses 44-48 describe the Holy Spirit coming upon Cornelius and his household, evident by them speaking in tongues and praising God. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit is not limited by cultural or ethnic boundaries but is freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
The second reading:
In 1 John 4:7-10
The passage starts with an exhortation to love one another, highlighting that love comes from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The passage continues by contrasting love with its absence, stating that whoever does not love does not know God because God is love. The pinnacle of the passage is found in verse 9, where it declares the ultimate demonstration of God's love: sending His only Son into the world to provide salvation for humanity.
Finally, verse 10 emphasizes the initiative of God's love, stating that it is not our love for God that saves us, but rather God's love for us.
The Gospel John 15:9-17
John 15:9-17 is a significant passage where Jesus speaks to his disciples about love, friendship, and the nature of their relationship with him and with each other. Here's the passage:
"9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 l no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: “Love each other."
These are the readings and the Gospel for the 6th week of Easter. They teach us to believe in Jesus Christ and worship God only. Love comes from God, those who love, know Him and His love for us . Love one another as God loves us all, this is His command.
God is an impartial God and shows no favoritism to particular people. He loves all His children equally. His love is agape. He gives us His love in order to fill us with the Holy Spirit. Through worship, prayer, obedience, loving others and giving to those in need, we deepen our faith and our relationship with Him. We must examine our own biases in order to embrace the diversity within the body of Christ. God expects correspondence between faith and behavior, therefore, it is important to have an examination of our actions so that it is pleasing to God. Our second reading shows us to love others selflessly and unconditionally just as the love He has shown to us. John tells us God is love and that love comes from God. He sent His only Son into the world as a sacrifice for our sins. Christ has not only forgiven our sins, He gives us Gods love so shall we share love with others. We must be loving and forgiving as God is forgiving and loves us. In receiving this blessing, we will be called to love all without any exceptions, as Jesus did. The readings show love is God’s nature and serves as the foundation of our faith. Today’s Gospel speaks of the teachings of Jesus… love, obedience, friendship and purpose in his mission. It challenges believers to incorporate self-sacrificial love, abide in Jesus’ love and fulfill their purpose to bearing lasting fruit through love and obedience to His commandments. Jesus wants us to know that we are branches that cannot stand alone. If we remain faithful to Him our life will prosper and bear much fruit. I pray this week’s readings further inspire us to deepen our faith and our relationship with the Lord, love others unconditionally, discarding any prejudices, in order to go out and spread the good news to all. We worship God and put nothing above Him. God has unlimited love for us all and so we shall for all.