May 6, 2018

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.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018