Reflection for May 5, 2024

Sixth Sunday of Easter (B)

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 | Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 | 1 John 4:7-10 | John 15:9-17

​The central message in this weekend's readings revolves around the concept of God's love. The first reading in Acts emphasizes that God's love accepts us as we are. Similarly, the second reading from John's epistle urges us to show love not only to the lovable, but also to those who are difficult to love. Lastly, the Gospel instructs us to embrace and live out Jesus' love in our daily lives.

​Dexter and Nathalie, childless couple, visited a care home in Tagaytay City which housed children for adoption. The social worker brought out all the children who were recently bathed, well dressed, properly schooled in manners; for this couple's study. As they passed down the line and spoke to each child, they did not find the one they were looking for to adopt. They asked the social worker: "Do you have any more children?" He replied: "Yes, Ringo. But he has not been cleaned up or dressed for viewing today." They said immediately: "That's alright, can we see him?" After a few minutes, the child was brought out and stood with the rest of the children. He was dirty, face unwashed, hair uncombed; clothes ragged and torn, no shoes; and his head was bowing down in shame, as he stood next to the other children. After a few minutes of somber discussion; and wiping the tears from their eyes; they said to the social worker: "We want Ringo!" Surprised, the social worker replied: "But this child is not as clean as the other children; he's unmannered, and unloved by his own parents." He continued: "And we have been unable to get him to behave; why do you want him?" Nathalie replied: "This child, whom almost no one else wanted will be our greatest joy. To care for him and to raise him to become a good person is what we’re on this earth for." Embarrassed, the social worker asked, "Do you want us to clean him up?" Dexter replied, lovingly: "No, we want Ringo just as he is right now."

This is how God perceives us. He, much like Billy Joel, sings lovingly, "I said I love you and that's forever, and this I promise from the heart. I couldn't love you any better; I love you just the way you are." The first reading from Acts briefly reminds us that God's love, embodied in Jesus, extends to people of all nations. When Peter witnesses the Holy Spirit embracing the faith of Cornelius and his household, he declares a profound truth: "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears God and acts uprightly is acceptable to God." Peter's understanding and actions transcend the divisions of "clean and unclean" and "Jew and Gentile," because God's purpose is to unite Gentiles with the Church family.

Five year old Joy was in a heated argument with her older sister Jill about who was going to get the last brownie. Their mother Laurice overheard the loud discussion in their kitchen and came in to resolve the conflict. Her two girls were obviously very distraught about getting that final treat. Sensing the need to teach a deeper truth, the mom asked her children that ever-relevant question: "What would Jesus do?" Jill immediately answered, "That’s easy, Jesus would just break the brownie and make five thousand more!"

Our second reading delves into the profound truth about God — "God is love." This serves as the foundation and incentive for the reciprocal love expected within the Church community. Our existence is to embody love, as God Himself loves and desires this love to be shared among His followers. It's simple to love those who reciprocate our affection. That's something anyone can manage. However, we are called to love even those who don’t return our affection — those who may harbor animosity towards us. These are the individuals who test our patience, aggravate us with insincerity or impulsive behavior. They may be the supervisors summoning us to work on holidays, a partner who betrays our trust, neighbors spreading rumors about us, or a president who has failed to bring down prices of rice to 20 pesos per kilo. They are the ones we find most challenging and disagree with vehemently. Yet, we are still called to love them. However, this is often easier said than done! To love someone is to give them the power to break your heart, but trusting them not to. Do you plan to love? Be prepared to get hurt. Let us take the good advice of Ed Sheeran as he sings, "Loving can hurt sometimes, but it's the only thing that I know. And when it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes, it is the only thing that makes us feel alive."

Two sisters, Charity and Charmaine, went to Luisa, their mom, to settle a longstanding disagreement. Luisa got the two to reconcile their differences and shake hands. As they were about to leave, he asked each one to make a wish for the other. Charity turned to the other and said, "I wish you what you wish me." At that, Charmaine threw up his hands and said, "See, mom, she's starting up again!"

Today's gospel passage, found in the closing words of Jesus to his disciples in John’s Gospel, emphasizes how believers respond to God's offer of salvation through love. Jesus powerfully states, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love." To abide in Jesus' love means prioritizing love in all our actions. Love is at the core of God's being, even evident in His judgments. Likewise, we're encouraged to live lives guided by love: being patient, kind, humble, avoiding envy or boasting, showing respect, managing anger, celebrating truth, shunning evil, and maintaining trust and hope in God. Living in love connects us to God, leading to salvation and eternal life. We're prompted to actively engage with the world, demonstrating respect, compassion, and, above all, love. Got it? Awesome! Just as the song by Jackie DeShannon goes, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of! What the world needs now is love, sweet love; no, not just for some but for everyone." Now, go out there and spread some love when you hit the streets!

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