“This I command you: love one another.” – John 15:17

       I express my love for Gina, my wife, by kissing, cuddling and holding her hands. Gina thinks: “Cheesy!” She enjoys doing these things with me: house chores, going to the grocery or walking in the park. Me: “Zzzzzz.”

       I expected her to be more “touchy” with me. She wanted me to spend more quality time with her.

       While Gina and I had no serious issues, there was a strain in our relationship back then. We thought that our own personal expressions were automatically appreciated by the other.

       We now know that our love languages differ. She has since learned to hold my hand and sit really close to me. I now think of things we could do together. It’s hard work but the rewards are much greater.

       We follow God’s command to love, but often do it the easy way: our way. Many relationships fail because love is often miscommunicated. Love is expressed and understood in different ways. Do not insist that yours is the only correct way. Try expressing it in the language understood by the other person. It will take a lot of sacrifice on your part, but it’s all worth it. Jun Asis (mabuting.balita@gmail.com)

Reflection: Observe how your loved ones express their love. Return the favor in the same way.

Lord, make me more loving towards others. Help me express my love in the way they understand it, even if it means putting effort and much time into it.

St. Peter of Tarentaise, pray for us.

11^ST READING

22 The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. 23 This is the letter delivered by them: “The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, 25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: 28 ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, 29 namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’ ” 30 And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. 31 When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.

R: I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

7 [8] My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast; I will sing and chant praise. 8 [9] Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn. (R) 9 [10] I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O Lord. I will chant your praise among the nations. 11[12] Be exalted above the heavens, O God; above all the earth be your glory! For your mercy towers to the heavens and your faithfulness to the skies. (R)

I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

12 Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 It was not you who  chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This I command you: love one another.”

think: The first act in the work of salvation is the work of Jesus in our life.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Joshua 9-12

LOVING FRIENDSHIP

I am amazed at people who have remained friends for a long time. A common custom here in the Philippines is to keep in touch with childhood friends. Friends are like members of the family. This friendship is a rare treasure indeed.

       The story of Maximilian Kolbe is an inspiring story of sacrificial love and friendship. A prisoner had escaped from the notorious concentration camps in Auschwitz. As an act of punishment, men were chosen at random to take the place of the escaped criminal in the gas chambers. When one man was chosen by the soldiers, he begged for his release because he had wife and family at home. At this point, Fr. Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan priest, moved forward and took the place of the young father. Fr. Kolbe was driven to the gas chambers, thus saving the life of the other man. Jesus says in the Gospel: “No man can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.”

       Friendship is a gift from the Lord. The wise sage in Proverbs advises that to gain a friend is a treasure indeed. Friends who will stand by you in tough times are hard to come by, but they do exist. It is a matter of begging the Lord in His wisdom and love to seek out these friends that will persevere in relationships.

       The basis of our catechesis is to love, serve and honor God and to be with Him forever in heaven. How can we love God whom we cannot see? The answer lies in the command of Jesus: Love one another. St. John teaches that when we love our neighbor, we are showing our love for God. This sounds very simple, yet perhaps the most difficult at times. Jesus asks us to love, to the point of death, in imitation of Him who has loved us and gave Himself for us. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you a loving friend to your friends?

Lord, help us to love one another as You have loved us — to the end. Amen.