Sunday Reflection | “Love” Sunday

Two weeks ago, we celebrated what is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” This title comes from the Gospel of the day which focuses on Jesus calling himself the “Good Shepherd”. We learn how, in his care for us all, Jesus manifests the meaning of true love.

This week, we can celebrate what we may call “Love Sunday.” Love is the theme of the Sunday readings. Saint John, in his epistle, tells us that “God is love.” In the gospel, he tells us that Jesus’ commandment to his apostles is “Love one another as I have loved you.” Several decades ago, John Lennon wrote the song “All you need is love.” It was and still may be a wildly popular song. However, it never defines what love is! For some, love may not even relate to persons, but to things. For others it may be a love of what benefits ourselves to the detriment of others. It may only be a passing fancy or an infatuation for another person. The true knowledge of love comes from God, as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Learning that “God is love” and that we are to love one another as God loves us gives us the true meaning of love. It has implications for our lives that are essential if we are to participate in the complete joy that only God can give. We learn that God considers us “friends”. This means that God is not a far off distant stranger but one who is close to us. Knowing that God is love means that true love is selfless, sacrificial, patient and understanding of others, and forgiving. It means that we can pray to God with confidence because God listens to us. It means we can have faith in Jesus’ command of love because he laid down his life out of love for us.

As we continue in this Easter Season and as we look forward to the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord may we all recognize that this “Love” Sunday is to be celebrated every Sunday when we receive as “Friends” the very body, soul, and divinity of the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, the great reality of God’s love.