Acts 15:7-21
John 15:9-11
Jesus tells us today, ‘As the Father has loved me so I loved you. Remain in my love.(John 15:9). Part of remaining, or abiding in Jesus’ love is to share that love with others: “If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love.” We keep Jesus’ love in our hearts by responding to it in loving others.
We see a deep reflection of the love of Christ in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, where the early Christians seek to resolve a conflict brought about by differing opinions on how the Gentiles should be brought into the Christian community, which we heard in yesterday’s reading. We see in the resolution of this conflict that there was no violence or force used upon others. Instead, the disciples who met were intent on discerning where the Holy Spirit was leading them. And after much debate and testimony from Paul and Barnabas and Peter and James, they discern not to require of the Gentiles that they be circumcised, i.e., become like Jews first. This is done in love, as Jesus commanded.
Keeping the commandments of love of Jesus indicates that we remain in Jesus. Loving God and neighbor makes us happy. It gladdens our hearts. His commandments of love makes us united with others. We accept them as they are and as God has called them.
Christ accepted us as we are but do we accept one another? Do we respect other people’s ideas? Must someone accept our sentiments before we accept them? What are the essential and nonessential elements of Christianity? True repentance comes with the desire to love like Christ Jesus and to sacrifice for the good of others. May God help us to love the way He wants us to. Amen. Remsin in God’s love and be happy.
Fr Joseph Osho
