Sixth Sunday of Easter

Reflection on Scripture

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples so, they would understand the reason He had to suffer and die for the sins of the world. But, in the same context, He commands us to love one another. What do Jesus’ words mean for us hearing this Scripture today.

Most of us will not be called upon to sacrifice our lives as Jesus did. However, we are all called to lay down our lives out of love for God and our brothers and sisters in a profound but different way.

From birth to about two years of age, our parents responded to everyone of our needs. Initially, we would cry when hungry or we needed a diaper change. In time, we learned very quickly that crying or making a fuss would solicit a reaction from our parents that would place us at the center of their universe. By two years old, we become very spoiled and controlling and well on our way to being spoiled brats.

Our spoiled behavior is suddenly challenged when we are introduced to the word, “NO”. However, the desire has been placed in each of us to desire self-centeredness as opposed to self-giving. Today’s Gospel is our spiritual no.

To mature in the Christian faith, we will experience the movement away from self-centeredness to self-giving and the realization that what we have and what we possess is a gift from God meant to be shared. It is not only our material possessions that we share but our presence to others as an outward sign of our love of God and love of them. To mature means to set aside our thoughts and desires of being first, of being the important one in the room, and thinking that we are a legend in our own minds. Peter corrected Cornelius for bowing down at Peter’s feet because Peter himself is only a human being. Likewise, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all present that day, both Jew and Gentile. The true Christian bows before their brothers and sisters to show them dignity because God has loved us all first.

St. John of the Cross tells us if we want the All (God), then we must give all (ourselves) by desiring nothing for ourselves. This is true Christian love that separates all who believe in Jesus from non-believers and is the sole criteria that leads us to keeping His commandments and attaining to eternal life.

Deacon Phil