May 05, 2024; 6th Sunday of Easter (Year B)

                                 Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 Jn. 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 

Love beyond all Frontiers.

1.      In the first reading, we see Peter, a Jew, in the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Jews had nothing in common with the Gentiles. The Gentiles were not considered fit to be admitted into any place of importance, not to mention the kingdom of heaven. Peter’s presence in the house of Cornelius was, therefore, considered taboo, scandalizing, and very offensive indeed to the Jews. To that point, Peter said, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean. And that is why I came without objection when sent for.” (Acts 10:28-29). Peter continued: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is accepted to him.” (Acts 10:34-35). While Peter was preaching “The Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit would have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.” (Acts. 10: 44-47). Peter then asked, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?” (Act. 10:47). Cornelius and his household were baptized.

2.      The division, hatred, and barriers in our world are caused by man’s inhumanity to man and our inability to keep the commandment of love. By placing limitations on love, we create hatred among people. The fact that many people think they are better, more intelligent, talented, richer, and better endowed than others, doesn’t make them right. This way of thinking can foster violence and bloodshed among brothers and sisters. The belief that one race is better than or superior to others makes it hard, if not impossible, to love. Hence, St. Paul exhorts us, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28). And Christ admonishes: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love.” (Jn. 15:12). While John pleads: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” (I Jn. 4:7-8).

3.      God’s love transforms and redeems us. He loves us sacrificially through his Son, who gave up his life for our sake. He reminds us: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (Jn. 15:13). There is so much misunderstanding and mistrust in our society because we have not kept the commandment of love. Christ demonstrated this to his apostles when he said: “You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn. 13:12-15). The disciple must walk in the master’s footsteps; hence, the Apostles were so convinced of their discipleship and the teaching of their master that they were not afraid to die for others as their master did. No mountain was high enough for them to climb, and no barrier could prevent them from bringing the gospel of Christ to the ends of the world. Hence, Peter went to Cornelius’s house, a Gentile, to preach the gospel of salvation to him and his household. God took the initiative and proved to them that salvation was open to all, regardless of race, origin, and tribe. All are welcome in God’s house.

4.      John tells us that God is love; to love is to communicate with God. This love goes beyond every frontier and binds us together. St Paul urges, “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Rom. 13:8). At the end of our life on earth, we will be judged on love!

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP