We have two very beautiful readings for Mass today.
In the gospel passage Jesus is telling his disciples – all of them – apostles, their successors, priest and deacon helpers and indeed all of the faithful flock TO REMIAN IN HIS LOVE by KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS.
Etched in stone in large letters across the front of the very beautiful Romanesque Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Virginia are the words: IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.
Jesus' commandment is not a burdensome commandment! It is an amazing invitation into the very life of God as he is in himself. God is a community of Three Persons who eternally love each other in a dynamic and ever-self-giving way! This is what love is: self-donation, participating in the very nature, life and love of God himself. But we must remember that love always involves not only self-dontation, but self-sacrifice. Unless the love involves generous measures of suffering and sorrow – then it is not really love – it is not really balanced. Love has joy, love has sorrow; love has pleasure, love has pain; love has reward, love has loss.
The ultimate goal, however, is that this all dissolve one day into one never-ending experience of the FULLNESS OF JOY AND HAPPINESS – the FULLNESS OF BEATITUDE – when sorrow, pain and loss are destroyed forever! And it is this promise, it is this message that is Jesus' most valuable gift to us! LIVE IN MY LOVE, REMAIN IN MY LOVE – my self-sacrificial love – AND YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE!
In the first reading we see Peter, deeply moved and filled with the Holy Spirit addressing the First Council of the Church in Rome – he, with Paul and the other apostles and presbyters and faithful members of the flock are discussing whether Gentiles first have to become Jews (be circumcised) if only briefly before they could become Christians, as salvation is supposed to be from the Jews.
Peter here states that the Holy Spirit has already fallen upon them thanks to the word of God that has come to them from preaching and teaching; and it seems obvious that they too have been chosen by God to share directly in all the merits of Christ's sorrowful death and glorious resurrection and gift of the Spirit. Peter then, with Paul, who brought the problem to Rome from Antioch casts his vote in favor of bypassing the intermediary step of circumcision for the Gentiles. After hearing recommendations from Paul and the other Apostles, they vote on it after prayerful consideration – and the Holy Spirit makes the Father's will known - and it is proclaimed through the mouth of Peter the head of the Church. This is the very birth of the magisterial teaching authority of the Church – and the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals.
To this day the magisterium helps to define what is truly within the parameters of living within the love of God, and remaining in him! We are so fortunate that God has provided a way on earth for people to be absolutely sure of something – especially when that something has to do with where we will spend eternity!
Let us with the apostles Peter and Paul proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all we meet this day – and to everyone everywhere!
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