God’s love for all His people everywhere…
Reflections on the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 9, 2021): ACTS 10:25-26,34-35,44-48; PS 98:1, 2-3,3-4; 1 JN 4:7-10; JN 15:9-17
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
All of us who consider ourselves Christians are required to “love one another, because love is of God” (1 John 4:7).
The first reading on this Sixth Sunday of Easter recounts the story of Peter’s meeting with the centurion Cornelius and his household. He is described as a devout, God-fearing, and generous man. Previous to this encounter, the early followers of Jesus had been converts from among the Jews. After this encounter with the Roman and a vision that Peter had, he understood that our Lord always meant for Gentiles to be welcomed in the Church. “Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, ‘In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears Him and acts uprightly is acceptable to Him.… Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?’” (Acts 10: 34-35, 47). While Peter was speaking with them, the Holy Spirit came upon the people in a way similar to that of Pentecost with Christ’s own disciples. Preaching among non-Jews by St. Paul and others was now recognized as being a vital part of God’s plan to introduce the message of Christ to the entire world.
This chapter from the Acts of the Apostles was essential in reinforcing God’s love for all His people everywhere. The readings from St. John, both the letter and the Gospel, forcefully address the necessity of embracing God’s love for us and reciprocating it. Moreover, all of us who consider ourselves Christians are required to “love one another, because love is of God” (1 John 4:7). Love is the way of Christ, that is, the way of life for all who walk in His steps. If we want to welcome others to faith in Jesus and His Church we need to show them the love that He has put in our hearts. This is the same love that led Him to Golgotha and the sepulcher, and then to His Resurrection and Ascension.
Suggested missionary action: Let us think about our relationship with Christ and how we can show the light of His face to the people we meet. If we do that, we will encourage others to draw closer to the compassion and salvation of our Redeemer.