Readings: Acts 15: 22-31; Psalm 57; John 15: 12-17
The command of the Lord, his doctrine, his law are summarized in this simple sentence, to be memorized: love one another. The command of the Lord is simple, and splendid! Isn't it love – love, the deepest and most fruitful desire that inhabits the heart of each of us. God is not a rule, a command, not rigidity but harmony, smile, creativity, love. Love, however, is to be concretized because behind the word "love" every selfishness can be hidden and behind every presumed freedom in the name of love, the smallness of a hardened heart that takes no responsibility.
Then Jesus adds "no one has a greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends". He showed us the extent of love, namely, to the point of giving life; to the point of making love; It’s loving to the point of hurting, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta said. More: Jesus adds, a little further: from this, they will recognize you, if you have a love for one another. In a Christian community it must be love that prevails, not fashions or devotions, but always and only love and on this, we still have to understand and convert. Love means welcoming the diversity of the other, being patient, paying attention that even non-believing brothers and sisters appreciate. The measure of love is what our communities judge, which explains the lukewarmness of so many brothers and sisters towards the Christian faith.
Dear Lord, convert our hearts to yours, to become a sign of your love for humanity. Peace and good! Abba Meskel