"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."
(John 15:12-13)
God is love. Our intimate relationship with God should be constant and ongoing. It’s not a one-time event, but a continuous process of abiding in His love that leads us to experiencing complete joy. Our love for God is demonstrated through our obedience to His command of loving others selflessly and sacrificially. Our love for others should reflect the love that Jesus has for us.
9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 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. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 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. 17 This I command you: love one another.” (John 15:9-17)
In the realm where divine affection resides, where God is love, and in our hearts, He abides. A relationship with Him, constant and deep, not a fleeting moment, but a bond we keep. It's not a one-time event, but an ongoing dance, in His love, we abide, in a perpetual trance. This journey leads us to joy, pure and complete, in His presence, every challenge we meet. Our love for God, through obedience, we show, His command of selfless love, in our hearts, we sow. Sacrificial love, a reflection of His grace, in our actions, His love, we embrace. Our love for others, a mirror of His care, a testament to a bond, beyond compare. Just as Jesus loves us, without any fuss, may our love for others, reflect the love He has for us.
Dear Lord Jesus, in the vast expanse of Your divine love, we find our home, an intimate relationship with You, no matter where we roam. Constant and ongoing, like the river's endless flow, it's not a one-time event, but a love that continues to grow. We abide in Your love, a process continuous and serene, leading us to joy complete, in realms unseen. Our love for You, Lord, through obedience, we express, Your command of selfless love, we strive to possess. May our love be sacrificial, reflecting Your divine decree, just as You loved us all, hanging on that tree. Our love for others, may it be a mirror of Your own, a testament to the love that You have shown. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. His love and salvation are available to all people, regardless of their nationality or background. The transformative power of the Holy Spirit is not limited by human boundaries. We should not idolize religious leaders or fellow humans, but instead direct our reverence towards God. Let us always be obedient to God’s will, even when it challenges our preconceptions.
25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. 26 Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” 34 While Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, 46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?” 48 He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48)
In every corner of this vast expanse, God's love extends, it's not left up to chance. No favoritism does He ever show, to Him, all nations under the sun glow. He accepts the one who in reverence, kneels, who does what's right and to Him, their heart reveals. His salvation's gift, so freely given, is available to all under heaven. No matter the place, no matter the race, in His loving arms, we all find our space. His love, His grace, knows no boundary, it reaches out across every country. The Holy Spirit, with power so grand, is not confined by any human hand. Its transformative touch, so deep and pure, can heal, can change, can make us secure. Idolize not the leaders of our time, nor fellow humans, for this is the prime commandment that we should all understand, our reverence is due to God's own hand. In obedience, let us walk His way, even when challenges lead us astray. For His will is our guiding light, leading us through the darkest night.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging Your boundless love and grace. We are grateful that You do not show favoritism but accept from every nation the one who fears You and does what is right. We thank You for Your love and salvation, available to all people, regardless of their nationality or background. We are humbled by Your inclusivity, Your embrace that extends across all human boundaries. We recognize the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, a power not limited by human constraints. May it continue to guide us, change us, and empower us to live according to Your will. Help us, Lord, to direct our reverence towards You, and not idolize religious leaders or fellow humans. May we always remember that You alone are worthy of our worship and adoration. Finally, Lord, grant us the strength to always be obedient to Your will, even when it challenges our preconceptions. Give us the courage to follow Your path, even when it leads us into the unknown. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
God never changes. He is faithful and His love endures forever. His acts of salvation and righteousness are ongoing and not limited to a particular group or nation, but extends to all people. Our praise and worship should reflect the newness of life we experience through Him, expressing our joy and gratitude towards God for His marvelous works. We can trust in His promises and rely on His faithfulness in all circumstances. Let us live in the light of His salvation, trust in His faithfulness, and express our joy through worship, and share the good news of salvation with everyone, regardless of their background or nationality.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. 2 The Lord has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 )
In the realm where constancy reigns, where God, unchanging, forever remains. His love endures, His faithfulness never wanes, His acts of salvation and righteousness, no boundary contains. From every corner, every nation, every tribe, His grace extends, His mercy describes. Not limited to a group, His love subscribes, to all people, His salvation prescribes. In Him, we find a life anew, our worship reflects experiences true. With joy and gratitude, our praises accrue, for His marvelous works, in hues of every hue. In His promises, we find a steadfast trust, in all circumstances, His faithfulness just. His love endures, as surely it must, in His unchanging nature, we adjust. Living in the light of His salvation so bright, trusting in His faithfulness, our eternal light. Expressing joy through worship, our hearts ignite, sharing His good news, a beacon in the night. Regardless of background, regardless of nationality, we share the good news of salvation's reality. In God, we find our commonality, in His love, we find our universality.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude. We acknowledge that You are a God who never changes. Your faithfulness is unending and Your love endures forever. We are in awe of Your acts of salvation and righteousness, which are ongoing and not limited to a particular group or nation, but extend to all people. Help us, Lord, to reflect the newness of life we experience through You in our praise and worship. May our songs and prayers express our joy and gratitude towards You for Your marvelous works. We put our trust in Your promises and rely on Your faithfulness in all circumstances. Guide us to live in the light of Your salvation, to trust in Your faithfulness, and to express our joy through worship. Empower us to share the good news of Your salvation with everyone, regardless of their background or nationality. We pray all these in Your mighty name, Amen.
Love comes from God. Our ability to love others is a reflection of God’s love within us. To truly love others, we must first understand and experience God’s love. Anyone who loves knows God. Love is not just an emotion, but a reflection of our relationship with God. Our actions of love towards others are a demonstration of our understanding and knowledge of God. God’s love is life-giving. Experiencing God’s love brings spiritual life and transformation. As recipients of God’s love, we are called to extend that love to others. Let us love sacrificially, just as God has loved us.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. 8 Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. (1 John 4:7-10)
From the heart of the Divine, love takes its flight, a reflection of His love, burning bright. To love others, in His love we must unite, understanding His love, brings His light. Anyone who loves, knows God's embrace, love is not just emotion, but a trace, of our relationship with God, in every space, our actions of love, His presence encase. God's love is life-giving, like a spring, experiencing His love, makes our hearts sing. Bringing spiritual life, transformation it will bring, in the light of His love, our praises ring. Recipients of His love, a call we heed, to extend His love to others in need. Sacrificial love, like a seed, planted in hearts, it will lead. So let us love, as God has loved us, with a love that is sacrificial and just. For in loving others, in God we trust, in His love, we find a love robust.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that love comes from You. Our ability to love others is a reflection of Your love within us. To truly love others, we must first understand and experience Your love. We recognize that anyone who loves knows You. Love is not just an emotion, but a reflection of our relationship with You. Our actions of love towards others are a demonstration of our understanding and knowledge of You. We thank You for Your life-giving love. Experiencing Your love brings spiritual life and transformation. As recipients of Your love, we are called to extend that love to others. Help us, Lord, to love sacrificially, just as You have loved us. May our love be a testament to Your love and grace. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
III: The Book of Glory
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
John 15:1-17
First Reading
IV: The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission
THE VISION OF PETER / PETER'S SPEECH/ THE BAPTISM OF CORNELIUS
Acts 10:9-33 / 34-43 / 44-49
Responsorial Psalm
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
THE COMING OF GOD
Psalm 98:1-9
Second Reading
III. Love for One Another
GOD'S LOVE AND CHRISTIAN LIFE
1 John 4:7-21
Reflection Source:
Copilot
