Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Sister Theresa SSpS
Friday 5th Week of Easter
Image source : Wikimedia Commons
Nena gave up marriage so her younger siblings could finish college. Des and Lala adopted a baby boy so he would not grow up fatherless and motherless. Despite her meager salary, Ledwin cared for her nephews and niece, taking the role of mother and father to ease her brother’s burdens. Jake walked to school for days to save money, then surprised his mother with a gas stove so she would no longer have to rise early to build a fire. A priest lost his life trying to save others during the landslides and floods in Infanta, Quezon in December 2004.
These are but a few expressions of today’s Gospel message: “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Love means thinking less of self and giving priority to others’ needs. It means considering the other as part of oneself, ministering with kindness and attention. It means loving oneself and giving birth to love through the other.
As Jesus neared His death, He left us a command: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Why love? As one priest beautifully said, “Love is a better reconstruction of what Jesus has started.” Indeed, the whole life of Jesus was a language of love. He taught us what love truly means, and He wants us to continue His mission — to love.
Love is not mere sentiment but sacrifice. It is expressed in daily acts of selflessness, in small gestures and great risks alike. May we live out this command, so that in our own lives others may see Christ’s love made visible.
“Lord Jesus, teach me to love as You love, to lay down my life in service of others.”
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