The Love of God

05-05-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Jesus loves us unconditionally and greatly: should we not be convicted by His love? Often, our love for Him is shallow, wavering, and conditional. Yet, He loves us no matter what, and He even calls us His friends, “You are my friends, and I no longer call you slaves.” In truth, we all have a long, long way to go on the road of love. I pray that we all pray the Jesus’ prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Let no one of us be selfrighteous and proud.

The Gospel is part of Jesus’ long farewell address to His disciples. He says:This I command you: Love one another.Often, a person’s farewell address contains and summarizes what is most important for that person. He commands that we love one another. Jesus says thatwhen we love one another, we share His joy that completes us. That is why it is more for our good if we remain in His love. His friends are those who follow the commandment of love. He promises His joy, a joy that completes us. When we do not have happiness in our lives, often, it is because our love is not enough or we do not truly love. What may seem like loving and sacrificing may be for a selfish agenda or purely for self-satisfaction.

Jesus considers His disciples and those close to Him friends. Many of them belong to His close circle and those who follow Him like the women who served their needs. He gives them the commandment of love. Then He says: Those who follow this commandment of love are My friends. The disciples are not the most intelligent and sophisticated people. But still, Jesus holds them dear to His heart. He invites us to be His friend by following His commandment, to be intimate with Him, just like the disciples. Jesus shows His unconditional and great love for all His friends by laying down His life for them.

What is love? Scriptures do not define love; instead, the Father reveals the mystery of His love to us in His Word. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (Jn. 1:14) The complete revelation of divine love is the Word that became flesh, Jesus himself, the Son of the Father. And Jesus makes love/charity the new commandment.

By loving His own to the end, He makes manifest the Father’s love which He receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus they receive. Whence Jesus says: As the Father has loved me, so have loved you; abide in my love. And again: this is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (CCC 1823)

Please do not forget that we are loved andchosen, and we are appointed to go and bear fruit that will remain. Because Jesus loved us, His love should lead us to the mission. Our gifts, our blessings, are meant to be shared. A priest said thatbecause Jesus loved us, we must be conscious of our way of loving.True love is not conditional. True love is not calculated (I love you three times a day). True love is not manipulative (I love you, but?). True love is not with an agenda (I love you so that?). Finally, true love is not threatening (Love me, or else?). Yes, we still have so much to learn about love.