Ps 144:8-13
Apocalypse 21:1-5
John 13:31-35
EVERYTHING NEW
Christianity is not a body of doctrines or an ideology. It is a lifestyle, a way of life, characterized by fraternal love, love without measure and which excludes no one. In the first reading, we hear of Paul and Barnabas, moving from one city to the other, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ with passion and determination despites the challenges they had to face. It was during this first missionary journey that they opened the door of faith to the pagans (Acts 14:21-27).
In the second reading, John shares with us his vision of a new heaven and a new earth as well as the New Jerusalem, the city of God, the dwelling-place of God among men. There is unending joy, peace, consolation in this city, because the Lord is making all things new. The way to get into this new world is the way of love.
Hence, at last supper, Jesus said to his disciples: “I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another”. What makes this commandment new is that we must love at the example of Jesus. He has loved us to the point of giving his life for us. Indeed, “no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
It is by loving everyone without distinction, that we can manifest our belongingness to Christ: “by this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples,” said Jesus. Can our parish communities, our prayers groups and associations, our homes be said of being communities of love? How much hatred, unforgiveness, selfishness, dissentions and divisions there is among us Christians! Let us love genuinely so as to become authentic witnesses of love in our contemporary world. Indeed, love changes everything and makes all things new. Let us the change our world by loving one another as Jesus has loved us.
Amen
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