May 9, 2021: Sixth Sunday of Easter

John Chapter 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also live 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.”

Reflection

Jesus set the ultimate standard for us to follow by his unconditional love for us. In today’s Gospel, we see the deep love that Jesus has for his disciples through his transparency. He tells them everything they will need to know to carry on the mission. Nothing was hidden. They were no longer servants or slaves, but friends. As he gave them the commandment to love one another as he had loved them, he is also commissioning them to further the mission of the church everywhere. By living a life committed to the command to love one another, the indwelling of God is made visible.

As the Gospel continues, the phrase, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you …” almost takes my breath away. God’s deep abiding love calls us to reflect with gratefulness and humility.

Action

Take some time today to reflect on how precious you are to God.