May 5, 2024 - Sixth Sunday of Easter
May you continue to experience the love GOD has for you, especially as demonstrated in the life, ministry, teaching, example, death, and resurrection of Jesus and may you model that love in your concern for others.
We have all heard of philanthropists. Those are people who demonstrate a loving concern for others usually by making donations of money to charities. It comes from two Greek words: φιλια (philia - love of duty and relationship) and ανθρωρος (anthropos - human). The word implies that the philanthropist is a true humanist (which is positive, but may imply that person is gaining something from their acts, such as a tax break or recognition from others).
I thought the word “agapist” is a better word. I did a little research and found that there is a website called “agapist.” I also found the definition of “agapism” in Wikipedia. Both words come from the Greek word αγαπη (agape) which means “unconditional love” or that type of love GOD has for each human. It is a total, selfless love. Its focus is on the other person. It is distinguished from other Greek words for love which are positive, but have a certain self-interest involved. We are called to love with αγαπη (agape) love – totally unconditional love for another.
Next Sunday, May 12, 2024, will be Mother’s Day in the United States. Let us begin our celebration of Mother’s Day throughout this week, this month, and always. Let us honor our mothers who have shared the GOoD News of GOD’s love with us through their loving care of us. In my prayers today and throughout this week, I will remember all mothers, especially my mother and my two grandmothers. I also remember those other women who have cared for me and shared GOD’s love with me through their concern. May GOD continue to gift all mothers, living and dead, with the Holy Spirit so they can continue to be loving examples of concern and care for others. During this month of May, we also honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother also.
May you continue to experience the love GOD has for you, especially as demonstrated in the life, ministry, teaching, example, death, and resurrection of Jesus and may you model that love in your concern for others.
We have all heard of philanthropists. Those are people who demonstrate a loving concern for others usually by making donations of money to charities. It comes from two Greek words: φιλια (philia - love of duty and relationship) and ανθρωρος (anthropos - human). The word implies that the philanthropist is a true humanist (which is positive, but may imply that person is gaining something from their acts, such as a tax break or recognition from others).
I thought the word “agapist” is a better word. I did a little research and found that there is a website called “agapist.” I also found the definition of “agapism” in Wikipedia. Both words come from the Greek word αγαπη (agape) which means “unconditional love” or that type of love GOD has for each human. It is a total, selfless love. Its focus is on the other person. It is distinguished from other Greek words for love which are positive, but have a certain self-interest involved. We are called to love with αγαπη (agape) love – totally unconditional love for another.
Next Sunday, May 12, 2024, will be Mother’s Day in the United States. Let us begin our celebration of Mother’s Day throughout this week, this month, and always. Let us honor our mothers who have shared the GOoD News of GOD’s love with us through their loving care of us. In my prayers today and throughout this week, I will remember all mothers, especially my mother and my two grandmothers. I also remember those other women who have cared for me and shared GOD’s love with me through their concern. May GOD continue to gift all mothers, living and dead, with the Holy Spirit so they can continue to be loving examples of concern and care for others. During this month of May, we also honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother also.
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050524.cfm
Saint Hilary of Arles: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-hilary-of-arles
Readings: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4;
1 John 4: 7-10; John 15: 9-17
Today’s readings remind us of the calling each Christian has received to be like Jesus – by being an apostle (one who is sent), an evangelist (a bearer of GOoD News), and a philanthropist (lover of others) or better yet an “agapist” (unconditional lover of others). The concept of a Christian vocation (calling from GOD) is not limited to clergy, those in religious orders, or paid church staff members. All who consider themselves disciples (disciplined followers) of Jesus are called to carry on His mission and ministry.
The events in the First Reading must have been mind-blowing for the early Jewish Christians. They had already had to wrestle with the concept that Gentiles could be believers in Jesus, that is, if they became members of the Jewish-Christian community. In today’s reading, some Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit before or without becoming Jews, even before becoming “official” Christians through waters of Baptism. The leaders of the fledgling Church had to reconcile themselves with the concept that GOD can choose and gift anyone with signs of faith, and that GOD is not limited by earthly constructs such as “official membership” or “humanly established systems of operating.” Once GOD has shared the divine gift of the Holy Spirit and called individuals to be part of the believing community, no one can object.
The psalm reminds us that the saving power of GOD is to be proclaimed to all peoples in all nations. How appropriate is it for us to hear this psalm as we contemplate the apostolic or missionary calling that each of us has received. The saving power of GOD can reach all peoples through the living out of the GOoD News in the loving service and lives of believers. This is the first and best way for people to experience the evangelion (GOoD News), through the loving service and care that believers show to each other and to those who still need to become familiar with the Message of GOD’s love.
The author of the First Letter of John also speaks to us of this same message by calling us to love one another. We are enabled to love others because GOD first loved us. In fact, GOD and the act of loving are synonymous. The very nature of GOD is first and foremost love. GOD is love. Because GOD is love, GOD radiates love to humans, first by creating them and then by empowering them to love as they have been loved (hopefully, by other humans and primarily by GOD). Life – human life and divine life – flow from the Love Who is GOD. That loving life – the sharing in the loving life of GOD – is what each human longs for and with which each of us can be blessed.
In the Gospel today, we are once again present at the Last Supper. Jesus (in the passage we heard last Sunday) has just told His disciples that they are the branches attached to Himself, the Vine. They are given the life force (love) which will enable them to bear fruit. The fruit they are to bear is the loving service of others – even to the point of laying down their lives for others – just as He, the Master-Teacher, is about to do by His death on the cross. They are elevated to a level of not being slaves, but friends who freely serve others, just as He, the Master, has served them by washing their feet and sharing His very life and love with them. They are to imitate Him and remember Him by doing what He has done.
As I reflect on the readings and my experience of being an active part of various Christian communities for over sixty years, I remember using an image of the Church as an institution headed by the pope and bishops and priests who told all the rest of us what to do. It was highly organized and had its power limited to those on the top. As I have experienced the Church, especially in the latter part of my seventy-something years, I see GOD revealing the divine saving power (as mentioned in the psalm) in ways similar to the manifestation mentioned in
the First Reading when the Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles who sought to have a part of GOoD News even before receiving Baptism. The manifestation of the divine “saving power” has made itself known in the expansion of the role of the apostolate of all believers. I can see that even the clergy shortage and other modern crises in the Church are ways of GOD reminding us that the mission and ministry of Jesus is the role of each and every believer. GOD has chosen each of us to proclaim the GOoD News of GOD’s love. This is not just the role of the ordained, the members of the religious orders, or the paid staff members of a church. And there are some people who will never hear the GOoD News except through the care and kindness of ordinary (non-clerical and non-professed religious) people of GOD.
Through my work in Stephen Ministries, I have also seen this same empowerment of all believers happening in various Christian churches. GOD is calling forth “the laity” – “the people in the pews.” All believers are part of the apostolic people of GOD. We have been loved by GOD. As we realize how much we have been loved by GOD – especially in and through the ministry, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – we have no other choice other than to share that GOoD News with others by our loving service of them. We are called and empowered to
“love one another as He has loved us.”
We are people who have been chosen by GOD. We are called to continue the work and ministry of Jesus. We have been loved. Because GOD, Who is Love, cannot be limited; the overflowing of GOD’s love reaches out to all creation, especially to human beings. Once we have experienced GOD’s love, it should flow out of us, just as it flows out of the very nature of GOD, just as it flows from the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We are called to love because we have been loved. We should consider it our privilege to announce GOD’s love by our caring service of others. And as each of us ministers to others, then the words of today’s psalm will echo through us, “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our GOD. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.”
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever loving. Through Your GOoDness, You call us to share in the love which flows from Your very being. You have always desired that others experience Who You are – Love. Your act of creation was a sign of Your love. You manifested another aspect of Your love by being willing to forgive not only Adam and Eve, but ever other sins committed by the people to whom You had lovingly given life. We come before You, seeking Your forgiveness for not loving You and not following Your command to love others. In the fullness of time, You lovingly sent Your Son to be Love Incarnate. Jesus lived, preached, acted, and taught Your loving GOoD News. He ultimate laid down His life as a sign of love and service for us. On the night before He died, He gathered His disciples around Him and commissioned them to continue His ministry (service) not as slaves who are required to act, but as loving friends who desire to serve. We thank You for enriching our lives through the love we have received from others who have shared the GOoD News of Your love by their lives of loving service to us. We also thank You for choosing us to continue the ministry of Jesus by our loving and serving those whom You have entrusted to our care. We lift up this prayer of praise and glory to You, in the name of Your Son, Jesus, our Master-Teacher, our Lord and Savior, our Lover, Who continues to love us as He is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: God Has Chosen Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45TlN8BeASo
Why Have You Chosen Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90iHUVcqhkI
No Greater Love by Don Moen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl2xgLXgyUo
Video of the Day: St. Hilary of Arles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxh46pEI8bM
SAINT OF THE DAY - Hilary of Arles - May 5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfPLq5RoeCY
© rjk, 12-05-22
Saint Hilary of Arles: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-hilary-of-arles
Readings: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4;
1 John 4: 7-10; John 15: 9-17
Today’s readings remind us of the calling each Christian has received to be like Jesus – by being an apostle (one who is sent), an evangelist (a bearer of GOoD News), and a philanthropist (lover of others) or better yet an “agapist” (unconditional lover of others). The concept of a Christian vocation (calling from GOD) is not limited to clergy, those in religious orders, or paid church staff members. All who consider themselves disciples (disciplined followers) of Jesus are called to carry on His mission and ministry.
The events in the First Reading must have been mind-blowing for the early Jewish Christians. They had already had to wrestle with the concept that Gentiles could be believers in Jesus, that is, if they became members of the Jewish-Christian community. In today’s reading, some Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit before or without becoming Jews, even before becoming “official” Christians through waters of Baptism. The leaders of the fledgling Church had to reconcile themselves with the concept that GOD can choose and gift anyone with signs of faith, and that GOD is not limited by earthly constructs such as “official membership” or “humanly established systems of operating.” Once GOD has shared the divine gift of the Holy Spirit and called individuals to be part of the believing community, no one can object.
The psalm reminds us that the saving power of GOD is to be proclaimed to all peoples in all nations. How appropriate is it for us to hear this psalm as we contemplate the apostolic or missionary calling that each of us has received. The saving power of GOD can reach all peoples through the living out of the GOoD News in the loving service and lives of believers. This is the first and best way for people to experience the evangelion (GOoD News), through the loving service and care that believers show to each other and to those who still need to become familiar with the Message of GOD’s love.
The author of the First Letter of John also speaks to us of this same message by calling us to love one another. We are enabled to love others because GOD first loved us. In fact, GOD and the act of loving are synonymous. The very nature of GOD is first and foremost love. GOD is love. Because GOD is love, GOD radiates love to humans, first by creating them and then by empowering them to love as they have been loved (hopefully, by other humans and primarily by GOD). Life – human life and divine life – flow from the Love Who is GOD. That loving life – the sharing in the loving life of GOD – is what each human longs for and with which each of us can be blessed.
In the Gospel today, we are once again present at the Last Supper. Jesus (in the passage we heard last Sunday) has just told His disciples that they are the branches attached to Himself, the Vine. They are given the life force (love) which will enable them to bear fruit. The fruit they are to bear is the loving service of others – even to the point of laying down their lives for others – just as He, the Master-Teacher, is about to do by His death on the cross. They are elevated to a level of not being slaves, but friends who freely serve others, just as He, the Master, has served them by washing their feet and sharing His very life and love with them. They are to imitate Him and remember Him by doing what He has done.
As I reflect on the readings and my experience of being an active part of various Christian communities for over sixty years, I remember using an image of the Church as an institution headed by the pope and bishops and priests who told all the rest of us what to do. It was highly organized and had its power limited to those on the top. As I have experienced the Church, especially in the latter part of my seventy-something years, I see GOD revealing the divine saving power (as mentioned in the psalm) in ways similar to the manifestation mentioned in
the First Reading when the Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles who sought to have a part of GOoD News even before receiving Baptism. The manifestation of the divine “saving power” has made itself known in the expansion of the role of the apostolate of all believers. I can see that even the clergy shortage and other modern crises in the Church are ways of GOD reminding us that the mission and ministry of Jesus is the role of each and every believer. GOD has chosen each of us to proclaim the GOoD News of GOD’s love. This is not just the role of the ordained, the members of the religious orders, or the paid staff members of a church. And there are some people who will never hear the GOoD News except through the care and kindness of ordinary (non-clerical and non-professed religious) people of GOD.
Through my work in Stephen Ministries, I have also seen this same empowerment of all believers happening in various Christian churches. GOD is calling forth “the laity” – “the people in the pews.” All believers are part of the apostolic people of GOD. We have been loved by GOD. As we realize how much we have been loved by GOD – especially in and through the ministry, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – we have no other choice other than to share that GOoD News with others by our loving service of them. We are called and empowered to
“love one another as He has loved us.”
We are people who have been chosen by GOD. We are called to continue the work and ministry of Jesus. We have been loved. Because GOD, Who is Love, cannot be limited; the overflowing of GOD’s love reaches out to all creation, especially to human beings. Once we have experienced GOD’s love, it should flow out of us, just as it flows out of the very nature of GOD, just as it flows from the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We are called to love because we have been loved. We should consider it our privilege to announce GOD’s love by our caring service of others. And as each of us ministers to others, then the words of today’s psalm will echo through us, “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our GOD. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.”
- The personal question/action for today: How have I experienced the love of GOD in my life and particularly through the love shared with me by others? How has loving and being loved challenged me, and not just made me feel “a warm fuzzy”? Who has been the hardest person for me to love? How can I reflect the GOD (Who is Love) to others in my daily existence?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever loving. Through Your GOoDness, You call us to share in the love which flows from Your very being. You have always desired that others experience Who You are – Love. Your act of creation was a sign of Your love. You manifested another aspect of Your love by being willing to forgive not only Adam and Eve, but ever other sins committed by the people to whom You had lovingly given life. We come before You, seeking Your forgiveness for not loving You and not following Your command to love others. In the fullness of time, You lovingly sent Your Son to be Love Incarnate. Jesus lived, preached, acted, and taught Your loving GOoD News. He ultimate laid down His life as a sign of love and service for us. On the night before He died, He gathered His disciples around Him and commissioned them to continue His ministry (service) not as slaves who are required to act, but as loving friends who desire to serve. We thank You for enriching our lives through the love we have received from others who have shared the GOoD News of Your love by their lives of loving service to us. We also thank You for choosing us to continue the ministry of Jesus by our loving and serving those whom You have entrusted to our care. We lift up this prayer of praise and glory to You, in the name of Your Son, Jesus, our Master-Teacher, our Lord and Savior, our Lover, Who continues to love us as He is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: God Has Chosen Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45TlN8BeASo
Why Have You Chosen Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90iHUVcqhkI
No Greater Love by Don Moen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl2xgLXgyUo
Video of the Day: St. Hilary of Arles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxh46pEI8bM
SAINT OF THE DAY - Hilary of Arles - May 5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfPLq5RoeCY
© rjk, 12-05-22