WE MUST LEARN TO LOVE IN JESUS’ WAY

V EASTER SUNDAY - John 15:1-8

Love! A wonderful word that warms the heart as if driven by magic. It is a word repeated time and again in all colours and tones, a word sung in most songs and celebrated in most forms of art. It is as if we are inebriated with love and have become addicted to it. And the question arises in our minds: What is love? How do we recognise it? Is it just a nice and warm feeling? Is it the satisfaction that I find in others? Or is it the inner strength to give myself to the one I love?

Due to the complexity of love, the Greeks used four words to express different types of love: 

1. Philos, from Philia (φιλία): indicates a virtuous and dispassionate love." "It is described as the love between friends and siblings" 
2. Érōs, of Eros (ερως): it is, above all, the sexual passion. "It would be love among lovers." 
3. Storgé, from Storge (στοργή): "It is used to indicate natural affection as that which parents feel for their offspring." 
4. Agapē, from agápi (αγάπη): means unconditional love, as the love of God for man and the love that God places in the heart of man.

According to Paul in his love hymn (1 Cor. 13), there is nothing superior to love (agape), since faith and hope will disappear, but love will be eternal. In his first letter, John tells us that God is love and that “love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 Jn 4: 7)

The sincerity and truth of love - of any kind of love - are proven by this love (agape), in which we learn from God to love with our whole heart and with our whole being. Love cannot be confused with a blind but fleeting passion that seeks to find in the other the satisfaction of my desires, exceeding in the search for pleasure. Unless love goes hand in hand with commitment, making me rejoice at the happiness of the other as I help him/her to achieve it to the full and to be exceeded, I am full of selfishness disguised as love. Jesus tells us that "no one has more love than one who lays down his life for his friends" (Jn 15,13).

This Sunday’s second reading speaks of love as well and we are told to love “not in word or speech, but in truth and action” (1 Jn 3:18). True love manifests itself in commitment and service. Indeed, love gives the strength to work and to suffer for the ones I love. It is in difficult times, when we go through trials, that we discover the true friends, those who love us, in spite of our weaknesses and our failures. Words of everlasting love may be delusional and they can easily be a trap into which we may fall. Jesus proposed his love as the example and the measure of our love: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).

In this Sunday’s gospel, we are invited to be united to Jesus as the branches are to the vine. Jesus is the vine and we must be in him, so that we may produce fruits. “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me” (Jn 15:4). This is only possible with a deep relationship of love, as Jesus explains: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love” (Jn 15:9).

Let us pray to the Lord that he may fill us with his Spirit, the Spirit of Love. May we experience that love and learn it from Jesus, becoming one with him. If we practice love in Jesus’ way, then we will find joy and happiness: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11)

CALLED TO BE GOOD SHEPHERDS

IV EASTER SUNDAY - John 10:11-18

Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd “who lays down his life for his sheep” and he points out the difference between a shepherd and a hired man. The hired man only thinks of his wages and cares little for the sheep. He will not risk his life to guarantee the safety of the flock. When he sees the wolf coming, he runs away and abandons the sheep, leaving them at the mercy of the predators. Jesus cares about his own and is ready to give up his life for them. He put his life at the service of others, being a role model for all those who are called to do a service for the others.

It is not surprising that the Church dedicates this Sunday for a reflection on vocation, asking the community to pray for the vocations. There are many and different vocations. Whenever we dedicate ourselves to do something for the service of others and see it as the accomplishment of a mission, then we are following a vocation. And that is different from having a job. Nowadays, some people get jobs just for the sake of money. They are like mercenaries: they only care about their lives and the money they can earn. However, when we do something with all heart and mind, putting ourselves at the service of others, then we have a vocation. And we feel good about it because it leads us to get the best of ourselves. It leads us to fulfilment and to happiness.

The first reading presents Peter explaining to the Sanhedrin, how the lame had been healed. Peter stated clearly that it was in the name of Jesus. But this physical healing was a sign of a much greater cure. And Peter proclaimed the message that has been proclaimed from generation to generation: "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). In his letter to the Romans, Paul would say: "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom 10,13). Later, in the letter to the Philippians, he had to say the same, but in a more solemn way: 

God “bestowed on him the name 

that is above every name, 

so that at the name of Jesus 

every knee should bow, 

in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue confess 

that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2,9-11). 

It is very clear that the name of Jesus is superior to all names, and for this reason, a spirituality developed around the name of Jesus. St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, advised us to "give thanks always to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5,20). Over time, this led to the introduction of the prayer of the name of Jesus, in which the following phrase is repeated continuously, keeping pace with the rhythm of breathing:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

have mercy on me a sinner.”

LET THE LIGHT OF YOUR FACE SHINE ON US

III EASTER SUNDAY - Psalm 4

There is a question for which we don’t find a straight answer, and in spite of that, we go on asking it: What will bring us happiness? In Psalm 4:6, we find that same question asked by many: “Who will bring us prosperity?” (Ps 4:6 NIV) We cannot stop asking that question and we are never satisfied with the answers we get. And so we go on searching. One thing we learn as we go along with many turns and twists: the things that we possess don’t bring peace and happiness, as they cannot quench our thirst for joy and peace since they become burdensome as a daily source of worries, jealousies and envies. True happiness can be found only when we make others happy and it can be fulfilling only when it is shared. We cannot find happiness alone, enclosed in an ivory tower and gazing upon our navel. We cannot find happiness, while others experience disgrace.

However, to the question about a way to happiness, the Psalmist gives an answer:

“Let the light of your face shine on us. 

Fill my heart with joy.” (Ps 4:6 -7)

True happiness is a gift from God that we must ask, entrusting ourselves to him, being sure that he hears my prayer and “gives me relief from my distress.” He is full of mercy and with him by my side 

“In peace I will lie down and sleep,

for you alone, Lord,

make me dwell in safety.” (Ps 4:8)

Only entrusting myself to God’s care, I can feel at peace.  Happiness comes from God’s love in as much as we are ready to accept his love and allow it to transform our lives. Far from God, it is impossible to find happiness, and it will be even more so if we turn ourselves against him or substitute him with what is the fruit of our work or our imagination.

In the second reading, we are told that God’s love comes to perfection in us when we keep his commandments or obey his word (1 Jn 2:5).”Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist” (1 Jn 2:4).

God’s word gives guidance, it encourages, counsels and corrects. The word of God challenges us and leads us forward towards the encounter with God. The word of God gives direction and meaning. We must seat at the Lord’s feet and open our hearts and minds to his word, learning from him and allowing him to transform us into his own image. 

Jesus will open our minds to understand the Scriptures (Lc 24:45), leading us to recognise that he is alive. Then he will strengthen us with his Spirit to make us witnesses of his resurrection (Lc 24:48). He is truly alive and he is Lord of living and dead. To him, we sing Alleluia!

CELEBRATING GOD’S MERCIFUL LOVE

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (II EASTER SUNDAY) -  John 20:19-31

The Pope Saint John Paul II dedicated this Sunday to the Divine Mercy to remind us of what we should be aware of daily, that is God is merciful and is mercy is always plentiful. He never gets tired of accepting us with a welcoming embrace, forgiving our sins and clothing us with the justice and the holiness of Jesus Christ. Celebrating the Divine Mercy, we are celebrating the outpouring of God’s love upon us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16-17) That’s why we sing with the Psalm 118: “His steadfast love endures forever.” (Ps 118:2-4). 

Jesus came to reconcile us with God, so that we may be accepted in God’s household as members of his family. And he entrusted to his disciples the same mission he had received from the Father: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” (Jn 20:21). In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says that God “has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Co 5:18). The Gospel of John makes it very clear when, after the resurrection, Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, giving them the authority to forgive sins:

“Receive the Holy Spirit. 

If you forgive the sins of any, 

they are forgiven them; 

if you retain the sins of any, 

they are retained.” (Jn 20:22-23)

Jesus came to establish the community of reconciled people since the reconciliation with God implies the reconciliation with the others. Being forgiving, we learn to forgive. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the fruits of a reconciled community: “The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul”, and this communion made possible the sharing of everything. Strengthened with the Spirit, they were able to pay attention to the needs of each of their members. Selfishness gave place to the love expressed in the service of others.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, for “His steadfast love endures forever”.

CELEBRATING THE RESURRECTION

EASTER SUNDAY - Mark  16:1-8

Easter is the feast of feasts. From the beginning of the People of Israel, it was the feast of deliverance. For Christians, Easter is the feast of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the feast in which we celebrate the paschal mystery: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the feast of the victory of love over hatred and of life over death. Singing a victory hymn, St. Paul wrote:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, 

and the power of sin is the law. 

But thanks be to God, 

who gives us the victory 

through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15,55-57)

After Saturday evening, which is already the first day of the week, that is the day of the Lord, we have the Easter Vigil in which we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ in four celebratory moments: a) the celebration of the light with the paschal proclamation; b) remembering the history of salvation through the reading of the Word of God; c) baptism and the renewal of baptismal promises; d) The Lord's Supper.

1. Fire and light are signs that are easy to understand in all cultures. Recognised as signs of the Spirit, of the power and glory of God. Fire is also a sign of love that purifies and transforms. And light speaks to us of truth and good. Christ is proclaimed as the Light, being at the same time proclaimed as Yesterday and Today, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Center of the Universe, and from him, everything exists and gets its meaning.
2. The Scriptures speak of Christ and lead us to encounter Christ. The whole history of salvation is turned towards Christ, and Christ is the culmination of this story. We remember the past to understand the present and learn how God manifests his presence and his saving action in the history of humankind. It is always the word of God that gives meaning to our lives and our walking to the life of fullness in Christ. So we listen to the Word.
3. At baptism we were grafted onto Christ, making with him the experience of death and resurrection. In baptism, we are born again by the power of the Spirit that makes us one with Christ, making us children of God, called to the same glory of Christ. So we remember baptism and renew our baptismal promises.
4. Finally, we celebrate the Lord's Supper, following his example and obeying his commandment. With him, we offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving (Eucharist) and we sit at his table to be fed with the bread of heaven, his body and his blood.

It is with great joy that we sing alleluia.

Recognising God’s merciful love, 

we sing his praises and his power to save.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

  for his love has no end.

Let the sons of Israel say:

  ‘His love has no end.’

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;

  his right hand raised me up.

I shall not die, I shall live

  and recount his deeds.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The stone which the builders rejected

  has become the corner stone.

This is the work of the Lord,

  a marvel in our eyes.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! (Ps  118:1-2,16-17,22-23)

At Lubengele Parish, the newly baptized sing in thanksgiving to the Lord. To him we sing: Amen! Alleluia!

St. John Damascene composed The Canon of Pascha, sung here with different melodies.

The day of Resurrection, 

let us be radiant, O peoples! 

Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha; 

for Christ God has brought us 

from death to life, 

and from earth to heaven, 

as we sing the triumphal song. 

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord!

Jesus, having risen from the tomb as he foretold, 

has given us eternal life and his great mercy.

 - St. John Damascene

HOSANNA! HOSANNA! PLEASE, DELIVER US

PALM SUNDAY - Mark 11:1-10

Every year, crowds of people coming from everywhere went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. Jesus would never miss that celebration and he went to Jerusalem with his disciples. As they approached the holy city, the crowds recognised him and shouted with exultation, proclaiming him the Messiah King who inherited the kingdom from David: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming!” They saw in Jesus the One who had been promised by all the prophets who would fulfil all their hopes, bringing freedom, restoring the kingdom of Israel and establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. And they cried out to him so that he pays attention to their oppression and comes to their rescue. Hosanna! was a cry of deliverance: Please, deliver us.  Delivers us from exploitation, from oppression and from slavery. Set us free. Please, deliver us. Later, it would be understood as a cry of praise, losing the original Hebraic meaning. Hosanna is a cry that affirms the messianic role of Jesus. It was a cry with political overtones that were easily understood by the religious leaders of Jerusalem. It is not surprising that they got alarmed and that they decided to stop such an adventure. They were afraid of a possible revolt that would lead to the intervention of the Roman army and to the destruction of the people of Israel.

However, Jesus had no political claims. He did not enter  Jerusalem on horseback like a dominating and conquering king at the head of his armies; instead, he entered seated on a humble colt, surrounded by the poor and the needy, the common people, who hoped for better days. Like them and with them, we cry Hosanna! Deliver us, Lord. Come and save us. Please, set us free.

Jesus’ path towards deliverance and salvation is completely different from what the Jews and the Gentiles expected. Rejecting power and dominion, he walked on the path that led him to the cross, carrying on his shoulders the weight of our sin and our rebellion. 

In the first reading, Jesus is presented as the Servant of the Lord who remained faithful up to the end. In the second reading, we are given the hymn of the letter to the Philippians, which describe the mystery of Jesus Christ in two movements: abasement and exaltation. He humbled himself, being obedient and faithful and God exalted him and established him in glory. In the Gospel, we read the passion according to Mark. As we read it, let us put ourselves in the different scenes and pay attention to our inner reactions. Are we very different from the different personages appearing during the narrative? Are we like Peter or like Judas? Are we like Herodes or like Pilate? Would we stand up near the cross like Mary? What would be our role?

During this Holy Week, let us be close to Jesus and accompany him on his way to the Calvary.

WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT

V SUNDAY OF LENT - John 12:20-33

As we approach the Holy Week, the passages of the Gospel of John that we read on Sundays present Jesus facing his incoming death. In doing that, he assumes it and gives it a meaning.

This Sunday’s gospel starts with a request from some of the Greeks that had arrived in Jerusalem to worship at the Passover festival. They went to Philip and told him: “Sir, we should like to see Jesus.” It is a request for a personal encounter with Jesus. In the end, true worship can be done only in Jesus and through Jesus. Philip went to Andrew and then both of them went to Jesus. The encounter with Jesus is mediated through the community, and it is the community that leads us to Jesus.

To the Greeks, who wished to see him, Jesus speaks of his destiny, presenting the hour of his death as the hour of his glorification. When he is lifted up from the earth, then he will attract all people to him, meaning that it is on the cross that he will be glorified.

It's like the seed cast upon the ground. Alone, abandoned, hidden in darkness, pressed all over, it experiences the agony of darkness, feeling distressed by a lost hope. However, the one who buried it under the ground did so in the certainty of a new life, with its fullness manifested in the many fruits that will produce. Without this experience of death, it will remain fruitless and alone forever. That would be the true death, with a temporary and futureless life coming to an end. Life is to be shared, spent for the sake of others. If we behave like proud and arrogant lords of life, we separate ourselves from others and remain far away from them. Whenever we turn ourselves into the centre of the world, putting everything at our service, we are on the path that leads to an aimless life, a life without purpose and destiny. As we try to save our lives from death, we end up losing life. It was not so with Jesus. Even though disturbed, Jesus walked into this hour of darkness and death with determination, in total fidelity to the love of the Father, knowing that it is by losing life that one finds it and by dying that one lives forever. Doing so, Jesus will glorify the Father and he was also glorified. If we follow him, we will share his victory over the prince of this world and will share his glory as well.