The Greatest Love is Christ Alone
A Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Brent Smith, Director of Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 | Psalm 98 | 1 John 4:7-10 | John 15:9-17
Slavery and love are opposites. While that may surprise some people – thanks to the sexual revolution of the 1960s and continued distortions portrayed in popular films and books – enslavement for another’s pleasure, or personal fulfillment, is bereft of authentic love. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires for everyone to experience a fulfilling life, which is only possible in the free expression of sacrificial love.
Christ himself proclaims, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:12-13). He truly did love his disciples, and each of us today, by embodying mercy, forgiveness, and goodwill. Our Crucified & Risen Lord continues to communicate his selfless love through the Sacraments and parish ministers.
In the Sacred Scripture for this Sunday, any mention of love or respect for another person is in reference to personal integrity. According to the Catholic worldview, we are to understand human flourishing as necessarily involving physical, mental, sexual, and spiritual health. We hear this view expressed in Peter’s interaction with the gentile convert Cornelius, “I myself am also a human being… In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him” (Acts 10: 26+34). Our merciful God calls everyone into the acceptance known through a grace-filled life.
Jesus Christ, known in the Eucharist, reassure us of your supernatural friendship. From the moment of our Baptism, you removed our shackles that would have bound us to sin. Filled our lives with your sacrificial love. Grant us a firm resolve to exercise that same life-giving love for the good of our loved ones and neighbors.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. (Ps.98:3; NABRE).
Painting by Van Baburen, "The Arrest of Christ" (c.1617, Italy)