May 2, 2010 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
2 MAY 2010, 5:15, 8:00, 10:30
READINGS: Acts 14:21-27; Revelation 21:1-5a; John 13:31-33a, 34-35
SAINT MARY PARISH, VIROQUA
Introduction: In today’s gospel story John gives us the words of the soon-to-die Jesus; the words that he wished to leave with his disciples. “I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other.”
1. The ancient Greeks had three different words for love. Philia is their word for friendship; eros is their word for romantic love; agape is their word for sacrificial love. All three are respected in the bible; all three are sacred relationships. It is the third word, agape, that is used in the gospel passage that we have just heard. Jesus, of course, spoke in Aramaic, a Hebrew dialect. However, John, the gospel writer, wrote the gospel in Greek. It is agape that Jesus speaks of here. He urges his disciples to love with a sacrificial love. “Love until it hurts.”
Now, Jesus says he gives them a new commandment. However, love of neighbor is found way back in the Old Testament. Further, it is a commandment in many of the world’s religions. What was new about it here? Here’s what’s new. Jesus says “Love one another as I have loved you.” How did he love the apostles? He loved them enough to die for them. Agape at its finest! And, all the apostles did.
2. In the first reading we learn about the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. It takes them to Cyprus and then to Asia Minor. And, they love the people to whom they preach. They love them with agape. Again, that means they love them at personal cost to themselves. Paul says “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Indeed. Those hardships included stoning by his enemies in the city of Lystra, shipwreck, imprisonment and more. Paul loved with agape.
In the streets of Calcutta the sisters of Mother Teresa found an old man who was dying. He was so covered with maggots as to be physically repulsive. The sisters cleaned him up, and Mother Teresa held him in her arms. He looked into her eyes and said: “All my life I’ve lived like an animal; but today I’m going to die like an angel.” She had agape.
Dr. Albert Schweitzer gave up a successful musical career to become a missionary doctor in Africa. There he established a hospital for the poorest of the poor. He asked himself, “How can I wallow in pleasure while my African brother writhes in pain?” He had agape.
3. All three kinds of love are valuable. Everyone, cherish your friendships. Married couples, deepen your romance. Christians, love even at personal sacrifice. That means we are to love not only those who are our friends and family already, but to love the stranger, to work with those who are difficult, to have patience with those who irritate us, to love those who do not love us. We are to love those who hold different political views, those who embrace different religious beliefs, those who consider us their enemies.
Conclusion: Jesus invites us (and challenges us) to love as he loves us. He died for us!