Let me begin by wishing all mothers a very blessed Mother’s Day. May Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, be your model and intercessor in all that the Lord asks you to be and do. Hope you have a wonderful day.
I was speaking with friends several years ago and I said I need to go home to work on a homily. Their response was, “How many ways can you say, ‘God loves you.’?” This the heart of the matter. God has first loved all people. Today’s first reading for the 6th Sunday of Easter, relates the story of how Peter encountered this truth in the house of Cornelius. This truth leads to the baptism of Cornelius and his household. The love of God brings all people into a family relationship with the Lord. This is why we are called “children of God”. His love is known through the death and resurrection of His Son. Jesus has reconciled all of creation to His Father. The decision to love goes far beyond the call of fairness. How often do we think that being fair is the best we can do in a situation? To love calls for sacrifice and for some it is the ultimate sacrifice of their life. The early Christians were very aware of this as many gave up their life to witness to the truth of love. We are challenged in today’s society to put the needs of others before our own needs and desires. To be a Church that is reflective of God’s love we must always act for the good of others. We must never allow our personal needs and desires to be placed before the good of other people. The command of the Lord is to love our neighbor as ourselves. The love of neighbor gives meaning on how we are to love ourselves. Jesus has chosen us to love and bear the fruit of everlasting life. It is in loving as Jesus loved that others will be drawn into a deeper relationship with the Lord.