GOD’s love comes to us in many ways, including our reading of the Word of God, and once we’ve experienced it, we naturally want to pass it on. This shows that the mission of the Church begins with God’s love, love which reaches out to others through the caring service of those who have experienced God’s love.
In today’s first reading, St. Paul’s friends, Aquilla and Priscilla, share with Apollos the full Good News of Jesus. Apollos easily accepts the Gospel message since it fits with his understanding of Hebrew scriptures. Apollos then goes on to proclaim to the Jews that the Hebrew Scriptures point to the fact that the Messiah is Jesus.
In the Gospel, Jesus continues His last supper discourse, once again reassuring His followers that whatever they ask of the Father will be granted if they ask in His name. He speaks of His intimate connection with His Abba. Jesus talks about the positive circle of love that originates in the Godhead.
The other implication of today’s reading is the challenge to care for others and provide an environment in which they and we can come into a closer relationship with a loving GOD. We are enriched as we minister and serve others. We are strengthened in our living out God’s call to allow them to know GOD through our loving care. We are blessed as we pray for others. We feel united with others who are journeying along the path to the house of our loving Father. We may not be able to physically walk with them, but we are united in the Word, in thought, in prayer, and in the Spirit – in the Love of GOD, even during the pandemic.
God truly blesses us as we live out the gift of faith which He has given us. We don’t earn our salvation – it is pure gift. We live lives of doing Good in response to the salvation we have received from a loving, caring, and saving God. We want others to experience the gifts we have received. Our faith and God’s love are not something to be kept. In passing it on, we are given even more faith and love. May Go help us always to be instruments of His Good News to those around us.