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Called to love

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Friday of sixth week of Easter, 2021

 

Feast of St Matthias, Apostle

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Ps 113

John 15: 9-17

Called to love

 

Dear friends in Christ, today the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Apostle Matthias. He was chosen by lot to join the company of the Apostles, as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit as the replacement for Judas who betrayed the Lord. The mission to which Matthias was called and chosen, just like the other Apostles is to proclaim the love of God to all.

 

The Gospel of today (John 15: 9-17), echoes that succinctly. In it we are invited to appreciate the fact that it is God’s choice of us rather than our choice of God, that sets the tone for our mission in life. That does not take away our freedom to choose which direction we want to go, but unless we have first been called and chosen by God our choice to follow him, will not present itself. Faith is our response to God’s love for us.

 

The love of God and the love of neighbour was at the heart of the teachings of Jesus. His coming into the world is itself considered the greatest act of love on the part of the Father. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” Apart from coming out of love, he died for the love of us, so that the world might not be condemned but receive salvation.

 

At each turn therefore, Jesus speaks of love. This is the Father’s love. It is at the beginning of the whole process— the economy of salvation, and at each of its stages.  The Father has loved his son who, in obedience was made man, in order to save the world, and was obedient even unto death, death on a cross. In his teaching to his disciples, even at the last supper, we were told that he showed the depth of his love.  He washed the feet of his disciples and told them, “If I who are Lord and master have washed your feet, go and wash each other’s feet.” What a great example? The love that Jesus brings to us, is that which expresses itself in the selfless service of our brothers and sisters. The only way we can claim that we love God whom we cannot see, is by loving our neighbour.

 

Like Matthias, a call to leadership position should be aimed solely at participating at a higher level in this mission of love. Examine your participation in this mission.  Love does not cheat. As a people, we must shun hatred and everything that could create more suffering in the world by engaging ourselves more in acts that could bring peace, justice and development.

 

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you love us and died for our sake. Help us to die to selfishness and work at bringing your love and peace to all.  Amen. 

 

+Remain blessed

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