Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Sixth Sunday of Easter May 05, 2024

Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17

(image courtesy: Google)

It was during the Korean War in 1954.  There were the American Soldiers fighting the war in Korea and it was hard.  It was the cold winter and the war had moved to the forest area and the Americans became the target.  There was knee deep snow and in that situation 43 American Soldiers were captured and were put in a small hut.  They had no fire to warm them and did not have sufficient clothes to protect them from severe cold. Only way to warm them was huddling themselves and the body heat would keep them alive. In the group were two persons were sick with diarrhea and it was not pleasant to have them in the group. Then one soldier got up, picked one of the sick persons and put him outside the door and came back to pick the other and kept him outside the door. Both died instantly. No one said anything. The war was over and the forty one were rescued. Someone told of the episode and there was the psychological court martial. There was one accused and forty witnesses. They were asked the same three questions: did you see what was happening and all answered and said they did see it all. Second was they knew what would happen and all said that they knew of instant death. The final question asked was why you didn’t do anything and each answered the same way: it was none of my business. The other is not my business.

In a world of 'NONE OF MY BUSINESS' today's Liturgy focuses on the love of God and our fellow humans. We are encouraged to regard others' concerns as our own.

God loves you but it does not make sense even to mention this if the addressee does not believe in love at all. Love is something that must be learned and experienced from early infancy. It must be developed and fostered first on the human level; only then can it be given its religious dimension of God and (because of God) the neighbour. It is so important that all of us who must be witnesses of Christianity make outsiders first believe in our love on the human level. Only then can they believe in God's love.

The term “love” is over-used, both in our sacred language and in our secular language. The love we speak about therefore tends to remain abstract. In interpreting a passage like this one then, we must link it to a personal memory. We have to remember some act of love which touched us very deeply.

The entire gospel passage and the second reading speaks to us of God’s love for us and the first reading tells us that God’s love has no partiality. One can describe love as something unique which reaches out to others without expecting anything in return. Such is the love of God for his creation. God’s loves is poured out in abundance on every single creature and it continues to flow out whether there is a response or not. This is the love which the father in the story of the Prodigal Son shows to the wayward son who has gone far away and wasted all his father’s gifts on a wasteful life. It may sometimes shock us that the love of God for the most generous.  This is because God is love and by his very nature he cannot stop loving.

As we reflect on these readings, we are challenged to consider how we can embody the spirit of Easter in our lives today. We are called to be a community of radical inclusion, welcoming all with open arms and embracing diversity as a reflection of God's boundless love. We are called to be agents of hope and reconciliation, working tirelessly to build a world where all are treated with dignity and respect. We are called to be bearers of God's love, sharing His grace and mercy with everyone we encounter.

In this season of Easter, may we be inspired by the example of the early Christian community, who allowed the Holy Spirit to guide them in their discernment and decision-making. May we rejoice in the steadfast love of God, who has shown us mercy beyond measure. May we eagerly anticipate the fulfillment of God's kingdom, working diligently to bring about His vision of peace and justice on earth. And may we abide in the love of Christ, allowing His Spirit to transform us and empower us to be instruments of His grace in the world.

As we continue our journey through the Easter season, may we be filled with renewed faith, hope, and love, knowing that Christ is risen, and His Spirit dwells within us, now and forevermore. 

Happy Sunday