Readings:
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21
Love is the
Fulfilment of the Law
1.
Christ
told his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I
will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you
always, the Spirit of truth.” (Jn. 14:15). Our love for Christ is made
manifest in our obedience to His commandment of love. But why does Christ
equate our love with the keeping of his commandments? What are these
commandments? Listen: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I
have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you
are my disciples if you love one another.” (Jn. 13:34-35). The timing
of this discussion is of note. This took place shortly before his arrest.
Knowing that he would soon be taken away, Christ urged his disciples to love
one another. We are identified as followers of Christ by the way we love one
another. Hence, the disciples were called Christians in Antioch because of
their life in Christ. The commandment to love is not new; the children of
Israel were told, “Love your neighbor as yourselves.” (Lev. 19:18).
To his disciples, Christ said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Hear him,
“Greater love than this no man has that a man should lay down his life
for his friends.” (Jn. 15:13). Christ’s love is agape love.
2.
Agape
is the highest form of love. It is God’s love for man and man’s love for God.
Christ’s love for us is sacrificial, redemptive, merciful, and gratuitous. He
died so that we may live in freedom and peace. Agape love seeks nothing in
return. It is an overflowing love of God working in the lives of men. Because
of Christ’s love, the early Christians chose to live together, sharing what
they had in common (Acts 2:42-46). A true Christian is not only interested in
his own salvation, but also deeply concerned about the salvation of others.
Merely giving alms does not constitute the virtue of charity. Being interested
in Church matters and parish activities, to strengthen the faith of members, is
the obligation of every Christian. The early Christians proved their undying
love by accepting hardships and martyrdom for the faith. This love is patient
and kind; not jealous or pompous. It is not inflated or rude; it doesn’t seek
its own interests; it is not quick-tempered, nor does it brood over injury. It
doesn’t rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all
things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. It never
fails. (1 Cor. 13:4-8). This is the kind of love that draws people to
Christ.
3.
Because
the Apostles were filled with the Spirit, they were not defined by their
particular apostolate but shared equally in the mission of preaching the
Gospel. In the first reading, for instance, Philip, one of the seven deacons
designated to share food, preached Christ in Samaria. The manifestation of
which was the signs and wonders he worked in the city. Sick people were cured.
When Peter and John arrived in Samaria and saw the glory of the Lord, they
prayed so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. When we obey the commandment
of love, miracles happen, and joy and peace are restored and experienced.
4.
The
Spirit will teach us to love as Christ loves and to forgive as he forgives us.
There are broken families in our society that would not have experienced
brokenness if family members had lived in love. Marriages failed because
spouses forgot the meaning of love and friendship. Men, women, and children are
in jails and on the streets because their caregivers failed to keep the
commandment of love. Thousands are poor, hungry, oppressed, enslaved, victims
of sex trafficking, and victims of wars because people refused to love them. Some do not know Christ and his teachings because we failed to show
them love and point them to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When there is
love, our families, institutions, Country, and the world will experience it, because
love is the one creative force that can transform the world. It enriches the
recipient without impoverishing the giver. Hence, Mother Theresa reminds us to “Spread
love everywhere you go, first of all in your family. Give love to your
children, to your husbands, and to your next-door neighbors.” Truth be
told, if there are problems in our families, it could be that we have forgotten
to obey the commandment of love. If our churches are empty, it is because we
have failed to show love. And if there are problems in our homes, schools, workplace,
our communities, and our nation, it could be that we have ignored, failed, or
forgotten to put the commandment of love into practice. So, the time to keep
that commandment is now! If today you would listen to his voice, harden your heart.
(Ps. 95). May God give us the grace to show how much we love him, by keeping
his commandment of love; and may the Eucharist we celebrate lead us to discover
the Lord of love and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
