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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider As the Father loves Me, so I also love you

As the Father loves Me, so I also love you

Published May 22, 2025 12:01 am  |  Updated May 21, 2025 04:41 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

The Gospel today gives the concrete foundation and application of the abiding relationship of “vine and branches” pronounced by Jesus earlier.

The foundation of mutual indwelling is none other than love, a word repeated no less than five times in these short verses. Jesus remains in his Father’s love. How? He makes doing the Father’s will his food (4:34) and does the work that he sees the Father doing (5:19).

This is also Jesus’ challenge to his disciples. If they fulfill the commandment of love and let its power bring out the best in them, they will experience the same “indwelling” that flows between Jesus and his Father.

And this will lead to a deeper experience of abiding peace and joy even amidst life’s trials and tribulations. Come to think of it, the words of Jesus are spoken in the context of his Farewell Discourse, his looming suffering and death.

Yet, they remain words of light and consolation because they are pronouncements of unshakeable faith and love (16:22).

First Reading • Acts 15:7-21

After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.

And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”

The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.

Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, known from of old. It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.

For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 96

“Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.” or “Alleluia.”

Gospel • John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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