Strengthening Advocate
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17;
1 Pet 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21 (A/6)
“God chose to reconcile the whole
universe to himself through him.” (Divine Office)
What makes us both fully human and the true image of
God? Is it not unconditional love which is unselfish, undying, and wholly
directed to the good of others? The love of God unites us in an unbreakable
bond of fidelity, friendship, and community with others. Jesus loved his own
until the end, to the point of his death on the cross (Jn 13:1). John Henry
Newman said, “We love because it is our nature to love, because God the Holy
Spirit has made it our nature.” Jesus speaks to his disciples of the
inseparable bond of love between him and the Father, and of their love for
humankind. In Jesus, we see the fullness of God’s love directed toward our
well-being and prosperity (1 Jn 4:9).
How do we know that God truly loves each one of us? In
the cross, we see the proof of God’s love that God was willing to pay to redeem
us from slavery to sin and Satan. Jesus gave up his life that we might have
everlasting life in unity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever. Through
the cross, Jesus opened a new way of relationship for us as the adopted sons
and daughters of God - his beloved children (Rom 8:14-17). Jesus calls us to
walk in his way of love by obeying the Father. True love is more than
sentiment, emotion, or good intention. As important as these may be, they are
not proof of sincere love. True love for God is expressed in obedience, and
obedience is expressed in love.
Jesus promised to give us the Holy Spirit as our
Counselor and Helper. How does this counselor help us become counselors? The word
“counselor” is a legal term meaning defense against an adversary and guidance
during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit guides us in the way of truth,
wisdom, and goodness. The Fathers of the Church taught that the family is the
“domestic church.” St Augustine said that where love reigns, God dwells. St
John Chrysostom encouraged Christian families to pray together so that the home
may become a small heaven. The early Christians grew strong not by power, but
by prayer, fellowship, and fidelity to Christ. In community life, the Church is
called to stand together beyond differences of language, culture, caste, or
status. The gift of peace is more than the absence of conflict or trouble.
Peace includes everything that makes for our highest good. In this way, the
Counselor makes us Jesus’ counselors.
The love of Christ brings immeasurable joy and
consolation even in the midst of our trials and suffering. St Paul states, “Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ?... For I am sure that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to
come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom
8:35,38-39). As we await Pentecost, let us remain with Mother Mary and the
Apostles in prayerful hope. May the Lord strengthen our faith, protect our
families, and unite our communities, so that the world may believe in Christ
through our love and unity.
"God has reconciled us to himself
through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation" (Divine Office)
No comments:
Post a Comment