Gospel Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B.
By The Benedictine Community
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. (Psalm 97)
All the readings in the Liturgy of the Word today centre around the fact of God's love for his people. He created us, He sustains us, He regenerates us, He redeemed us out of pure love. The Old Testament prophets rejoiced in God's love. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made, for you would not fashion what you hate. (Wis. 11:24)
To live in a Christian culture in a Christian country is to live with much institutionalised love: health care, education, old age pensions, human rights, democracy and great freedom.
Along with the Psalmist we must ask:: How can I repay the Lord for His goodness to me? (Psalm 116:14) He knows that there is no way we can repay God except by our gratitude and by our obedience to his commands. In today's Gospel, Jesus reaffirms this message: 'You are my friends if you do what I command you.....to go out and bear fruit. What I command you is to love another.'
The message is very clear indeed. Alleluia!