Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk:

Shik Rot Npwe - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk                                                                 Fifth Sunday of Easter: Year C - April 24, 2016.

Readings: Acts 14:21b -27; Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:8-13 (R.v.1); Revelations 21:1-5a; Gospel John 13:31-33a, 34-35.

Theme: Lessons of love 

This Sunday’s liturgy calls us to seek ways of making the love of God and neighbour come alive in our families, places of work/business, church and larger society. The love of God was made visible in Christ, Jesus – Little wonder, after eating with his disciples, Jesus invited them to embrace a new commandment of love as we read in the gospel (John 13:31-33a, 34-35). Like a seed of mustard, this love is supposed to spread its tentacles to people of every tribe, people and nation under the earth. 

This new commandment is free and penniless. It is a call to break down the barriers that divide humanity in terms of race, colour, sex/gender or nationality. By insisting that we should love as he has loved us, Jesus introduces us into an mutual covenantal-relationship with him. The only prove that we love God whom we cannot see is that we should love him in our brothers and sisters especially those at the margins of society – the sick, the aged, refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) et al. 

This amorous summon from a benevolent saviour is premised on the two commandments of love of God and the love of neighbour which is understood as the vertical and horizontal dimensions of love. No doubt, God loves us. To prove this divine covenantal love, God sent his son Jesus to safe us from our sins.  For instance, the scripture says, God in Christ took pity on his people and satisfied their hunger in the Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21). 

His abiding presence which is with us in the post-resurrection Church is a further invitation to pursue the demands of vertical love namely, the love of neighbour - our world today wants us to translate God’s love in the practical aspects of our lives through love, peace, justice, spirituality, sincerity, fidelity and moral refinement. 

When Jesus says “love one another, just as I have loved you” (Jn.15:12), he wants us push the frontiers of the mission of love to the unloved, the lonely, the depressed, the oppressed and the lost. No human action satisfies like touching the soul. The Church will not be different from a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) if she only satisfies the physical needs of humanity. 

On the contrary, the Church has a divine mandate of touching the recesses of the human soul through the sacraments and other kind acts of charity. The satisfaction of every soul would be to touch a life in a way and manner that “men and women will know that we are his disciples.” Your life, speech, disposition, countenance and mannerisms may be the only bible an unbeliever will ever read.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, (Acts 14:21b -27), Paul and Barnabas reminded us about “…how he [God] had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles – this remains a window of limitless opportunities for those who are serious about the mission and their souls.     

It is only love that would make the master to give dogs what was meant for children or, a king to allow slaves to eat the food of the prince. What a privilege that we have been incorporated into God’s kingdom of love.  Now that we have been given so much love, we ought to reciprocate. From he who is given much, much is expected.

Amidst our daily struggles of trying to love God and neighbour as we should, we face troubles and temptations. John in his apocalypse, (Rev. 21:1-5a) assures that God will wipe away the tears from our eyes” adding: “Behold, I make all things new.”  We are God’s mouth, hands, feet and eyes for the transformation of the world. 

This is only possible when we resolve to “make all things new” through the new civilization of love. A civilization that tells us to turn the other check when some slaps you; a civilization that convinces you to go two miles when someone asks you to take him one mile; a civilization that woos a younger man or woman to forego marriage in a world where a man or woman without children is seen as a waste; a civilization that says “one man, one wife” in a world rife with polygamous relationships; a civilization that preaches limitless forgiveness in a world of revenge and a civilization that says “no to war” even in the face of provocation and persecution. 

Always remember: Only true and unselfish love as demonstrated by Christ makes the world a better place to live in. 

Shallom!

                                                           *Please Leave A Comment*