Reflections by Fr. Chuck

"Love one another." Jesus commands us to love one another repeatedly in this weekend's gospel.

The kind of love about which Jesus is speaking is not an emotion, or even an attitude. He is telling us about a relationship. Jesus is describing the relationship between God and his people - one that is based in a love so strong that he sent his Son to us, to teach us, heal us, suffer and die for us, and then rise to new life so that we may have eternal life too. The emphasis in "Love one another" is on being in a relationship like that between God and us. His command to love means that he calls us to see others as brothers and sisters in Christ. Loving others is known by how we act toward others, therefore, and not by an emotion or attitude.

May our week be one of openness of mind and heart toward those we find hard to love.