May 10, 2015: Sixth Sunday of Easter

“I love you” can be said in many different ways. (Photo: Sister Diane Mason, left, director of Providence Associates, visits with Providence Associates William Seth Adams and Amy Donohue-Adams during Sunday’s social.)

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
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.
I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.” (John 15:9-17)

Reflection:

Jesus showed us what true love means when He laid down His life for us. He calls us friends and assures us He will love us always. He invites us to remain in His love, a love that brings joy. Jesus promised that If we love God with our whole heart, our whole soul, our whole mind and our neighbor as ourselves, His joy will be in us.

Action:

Notice what a smile comes over a person’s face when someone says ” I love you.” Say it often. Spread joy.