May 13, 2012
6th Sunday of Easter
On Saturday I celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage and listened to the vows of love and fidelity between Trish and Mike. The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to John are so appropriate for this young couple. "As the Father has loved me, so I love you. Remain in my love." Jesus gives us the command to love one another. We live in a society that promotes the idea that love is an emotional encounter. We fall into and fall out of love. There is a lessening of the belief that love is forever; that married love is part of God's plan. Today, we pray for the grace of awareness and of appreciation that God loves us -- you and me. How many people are conscious that God loves personally? Awareness of being loved is transformative. Within the gift and reception of God's love, is the vocation or calling to love others. How are we to love? Jesus is our model. The words and deeds of Jesus become the inspiration and sourcebook of our loving. Moms are models too. We experience in their concern and compassion, a Christ like love. We pray too for the honesty and humility to examine our own manner of loving -- our successes and our mistakes and missteps. We are imperfect lovers but, by God's grace, striving to emulate Jesus. When we choose the path of love, the joy of Jesus will be in us, and our joy will be complete.
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5th Sunday of Easter
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Ascension of the Lord
