Gospel – John 15: 9-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love 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 on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
In the midst of the joy of this Easter season, we are reminded that Jesus laid down his life for us. No one has greater love than this. His love for us goes further. He wants our joy to be complete. My heart is filled with joy when I hear him call me his friend. For what more can I ask?
The mission he gives is a strong one: love one another. I know what he means by love. It means to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. I suppose I will not be asked to lay down my life in one demand as Jesus did. However, I will be asked to make daily surrenders for love.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.