John 15:12-17 Love one another as I have loved you

"There is no greater love than this, to lay down one's life for a friend." 

There are so many images that come to mind when I reflect upon this one sentence.  I think of the stories that we read about people acting as heroes to save another's life, even at risk to their own.  Whether it is Wesley Autrey or Christopher Knafelc who jumped onto tracks to save someone; or Arthur Bloom who uses music to help injured soldiers readjust and take back their lives; and there are so many thousands of examples of men, women, and children who go out of their way to save others at personal sacrifice.  They have laid down their lives for loved ones and friends. It is profound to think about these people that we see in the news, and then to read today's Gospel reading.

Jesus laid down his life for us at great personal sacrifice because he loved us, because it was the right thing to do, because it was the Father's will.  Jesus loves us.  He asks us to follow his commands to love God and love each other, and in doing so, we are his friends and have all the love, mercy and compassion that go with that.  If  we can do nothing else in our day, let us at least smile at a stranger.

"This I command you: love one another."

John 15: 9-11 Keep in my love

As a communication tool the social media isn’t bad, but it also highlights that human need for love and acceptance.  It is what many of us in this life are searching for.  Our families and friends hold that key to love and acceptance, yes.  However, our relationships prepare us for that great relationship between us and our God, who is love, compassion and mercy.  Jesus reminds us, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.”  That love is so complete and encompassing.  If we think of those greatest joys and times that we were filled with deep love for others around us…how they would pale in comparison and almost seem like suffering to what we receive from our Heavenly Father through Christ. 

How do we remain in Christ’s love?  He tells us, “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.” What are his commands?  Put simply, love God with all your heart, mind, and soul.  Secondly, love your neighbor as God has loved you. 

Matthew 5:20-26 A New Heart

Today's antiphon:
"Cast away from you all the crimes that you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and spirit."  (Ez 18:31)

Jesus is calling us not just to follow the Law, but follow the spirit of the Law.  Jesus recognized that people were following the rules set for for them by the Ten Commandments, but that was it, they were missing the Spirit of the Law.  That Spirit is why we have the laws, because they were intended to help us form a good conscious, yes, to know right from wrong.  The Laws were also intended to help us form good relationships with each other as our brothers' keeper because we are all members of the world and as such our relationships are interwoven and complex.  Think about it.  Who helped to make your clothes?  You've never met them, and yet they have impacted your life significantly.  Or what about the food that you eat?  You probably haven't met most of the people responsible for it being on your plate, but they have impacted your life. 

Jesus is reminding us that yes, we can follow the Law and be good people.  However he is calling us to go beyond the letter of the Law and acknowledge that we have a greater responsibility than just what the Law calls for.  We are called into communion with each other and in doing so, with God.  When we can see the face of God in others, then we know that we are close to being who Jesus challenges us to be because our hearts are changed.  He is calling us to a new beginning.  It isn't an easy road and if we struggle today, then we always have tomorrow to try again.