Gospel Reflection for 6th Sunday of Easter
In his infinite love, God has wonderfully revealed himself to his children. It is possible for us to know God only because he has chosen to give us the gift of himself. The greatest possible good that we could ever imagine or hope for is to know God as he truly is and to love him with all our being. This is exactly what God wants for us. Therefore, the self-revelation of God has happened according to his plan throughout the history of salvation in ways that he has chosen, according to our capacity as human beings to receive his gift.
In addition to the evidence of his beauty and perfection, which we see in the wonders of creation, God also inspired his friends the prophets to describe attributes which can help us know and understand God if we hear them within the context of all Divine Revelation. Words like ‘father,’ ‘warrior,’ ‘king,’ found in Sacred Scripture must be understood within this context. He has also inspired images of motherly love to describe his loving faithfulness. God assured Israel of this through the prophet Isaiah who wrote, “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” [Isaiah 49:15]
However, before we can begin to know him by use of our intellect or before we can understand Sacred Scripture, we begin to know God through our parents. Our first experiences of love and nurture happen in the arms of our parents and family. And these primary experiences are essential for us as we grow and attain the capacity for free will and the experience of forgiveness. The unconditional love of parents is the foundation for the future well-being and happiness of every child. Therefore, the Church teaches insistently of the primary importance of the family in society and the blessings that accrue to children who are supported and loved by both fathers and mothers. God reveals his love for us first through the love of our mothers and fathers.
How often the concept of love is distorted in our contemporary culture. It is even equated with mere physical attraction or emotional need. Yet, the true meaning of love has been revealed in such a way that leaves no doubt or confusion. We know this truth by God’s gift. “In this is love: not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.” [1 John 4:10] Also, in the Gospel of John we read, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” [John 15: 13] In the greatest act of Divine Love, the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has revealed himself most perfectly. God, who is love, has given himself completely for us so that we may have the fullness of his Life.
Sacred Scripture makes it clear that Grace, which is the Divine Gift of God, always comes first. Nothing is possible without it. Our capacity to respond in love depends on the primacy of Grace. Then, when we do respond, we are able to become disciples of Jesus. He calls us “friends” and gives us the commandment to love one another as he loves us. This is how we remain in his love; we live by his commandments. As we give the gifts born of love to others, the gifts are multiplied in us. If we try to grasp and hold on to God’s gifts for ourselves, we lose them. The more we share God’s gifts, the more they increase for us. The more we love, the more we know the God who is love.
We should give thanks to God first and always. We should also give thanks for our mothers who first revealed love for us and made it possible for us to know God.