Photo illustration by Phil Younk
Click on the photo for a printable PDF!

Unselfishly love others as Jesus did

Based on the Readings Acts 14:21-27; Rv 21:1-5a; Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

Love with a mission. While we continue celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection, this Sunday’s Scriptures speak of the Good News of Jesus – past, present and future.

In Acts, Jesus’ young church grows, despite the hardship and suffering the disciples endure. Luke reminds us Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the church to proclaim the Good News in Antioch and Syria. On return to Antioch, Paul and Barnabas report their success in bringing the faith to the Gentiles.

In Revelation, John’s vision is of a new heaven and a new earth because of Jesus’ complete victory in heaven. Good has triumphed over evil. God’s love for us and our love for God and others will be perfected in the heavenly Jerusalem. God will dwell with us in a close relationship.

The Gospel speaks of the Last Supper on the night before Jesus’ death. Jesus tells his disciples he will soon leave. He knows the time has come for his death on the cross, his Resurrection and his return to his father in heaven.

Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

While Jesus was on earth, he unselfishly loved people so they might be brought to and accept God into their lives. Jesus’ ultimate gift of total, unselfish love was his suffering and death on the cross and his Resurrection so we can gain eternal life with him.

As Jesus’ followers, our love must be an evangelizing love so that God comes into the lives of people around us. By our faith in Jesus and by unselfishly trying to love others as Jesus loved, we, too, can help people to know God.

Blessed Mother Teresa once said, “Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action and that action is service. How do we put the love for God in action? By being faithful to our family, to the duties that God has entrusted to us. Whatever form we are – able or disabled, rich or poor – it is not how much we do but how much love we put in the doing – a lifelong sharing of love with others.”