HOMILY FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B

 

LACK OF LOVE BREEDS DIVISION

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26.34-35.44-48, 1John 4:7-10, John 15:9-17

 

The life of the early Christians was characterized by a communal way of living. St. Luke tells us that the whole community of believers was in one heart and mind and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, rather, they shared all things in common (Acts 4:32). But in spite of this common bond, the early Christians also had divisions amongst them. As the number of believers increased, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of material goods (Acts 6:1). The Jews and the non- Jews were always at loggerheads because of the difference in what they believed in and practiced (Acts 10:9-48). It was the same with the circumcised and the uncircumcised (Acts 15:1-35).

The commandment to love one another as God loves us is regarded as the foremost of all the commandments of God. Love unites us and makes us brothers and sisters. The lover never sees the loved as an outsider. Love never discriminates. Hatred enkindles disputes but love covers over all offences (Proverbs 10:12; 1Peter 4:8). Lack of love is the root of the seed of division that was sown between the Jews and Greeks, the circumcised and uncircumcised in the early Church.

The gospel reading of last Sunday tells us that we are all branches of the same vine. If we first realize our oneness with Christ, the vine, we will acquire the ability to fulfill the commandment of Jesus to love others as ourselves. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit unless it is rooted in the vine so also are we unable to love perfectly unless helped by God who is love (1Jn 4:7-8). God is the source of all love and the ability to love selflessly has to come from him. To do this, we have to first of all share in his thinking. Then, we must become his friends, knowing him as a person who loves us and acts in us. Only then can we produce the authentic fruit of love whose source is Christ.

One of the problems in our world today is that many people see love as a feeling or just a vague romantic idea. Feelings are subject to changes and they depend on one’s mood. Love is more than that. That is why St. John in the second reading advises us not to love in word or speech, but to love in deed and truth (1John 3:18). Love is an action word. We cannot talk of love without action. The first action in relation to love is obedience to God’s commandments. “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love” (John 15:10). Through obedience to God’s commandments, we show not only our love of God, but also express our renewed relationship with Him: “You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves… I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father” (1Jn 15:14-15).

Lastly, human beings are loved and things are used. But today, we use human beings like objects and love things. Let us ask to God to grant us the grace to love selflessly and unconditionally. Genuine love always looks for what to give and not what to take or benefit from the loved. Genuine love is not partial or sectional but unconditional and inclusive.