6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 2 / (White)
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
1st Reading : Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius went to him, fell on his knees and bowed low. But Peter lifted him up saying, “Stand up, for I, too, am a human being.” Peter then spoke to them, “Truly, I realize that God does not show partiality, but in all nations he listens to everyone who fears God and does good.
Peter was still speaking when the Holy Spirit came upon all who listened to the word. And the believers of Jewish origin who had come with Peter were amazed, “Why! God gives and pours the Holy Spirit on foreigners also!” For indeed, this happened: they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter declared, “Can we refuse to baptize with water these people, who have received the Holy Spirit, just as we have?” So he had them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. After that, they asked him to remain with them for some days.
2nd Reading: 1 Jn 4:7-10
My dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves, is born of God and knows God. Those who do not love have not known God, for God is love. How did the love of God appear among us? God sent his only Son into this world, that we might have life, through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that, he first loved us and sent his Son, as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Gospel: Jn 15:9-17
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love! You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you! There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends; and you are my friends, if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants anymore, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.
You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
This is my command, that you love one another.
Lectio Divina
Read: Cornelius falls at the feet of Peter, but Peter lifts him up and declares their mutual equality. John meditates on what love truly is – that we have been loved by God. Jesus declares his disciples to be friends and invites them to share in his love and share it with others.
Reflect: One of the core temptations of human beings is the desire to create difference from others, placing oneself on a pedestal and, consequently, demand adoration and awe. Given that we also have the impulse to adore and worship, it has led many to become superhuman god-men in the world. Peter resists this temptation and declares equality with Cornelius and his gentile brethren. In doing so, he truly imitates the incarnational love of God who discards difference and embraces similarity and equality with humanity (cf. Phil. 2:6-8). And on such common ground, love is born. Christ would rather have us love him more as a familiar friend than adore him as a distant deity. Such love of God would also open our hearts to love our brethren on equal footing.
Pray: Pray for the gift of seeing common ground with others so that you can love them as your own.
Act: Reconnect lovingly with someone who has been estranged from you for long.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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