The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

Daily Scripture, May 4, 2018

Scripture:

Acts 15:22-31
John 15:12-17

Reflection:

 “…love one another as I love you…”

As we continue to experience the risen Jesus this Easter Season we are today encouraged in our discipleship and our stewardship of the Good News of God’s love in Jesus.  Love is to be our driving force!

The Gospel selection is a very familiar selection from John 15:  “This is my commandment:  love one another as I love you…no one has greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends…”  These powerful words reveal the Sacred Heart of Jesus that enabled him to minister, to suffer, and even die…for all of creation!  The passage goes on to remind the disciples (and us!) that we are divinely chosen to be God’s friends, so alive with the message of God’s love that we radiate God’s love in our words and deeds.  What a blessing!  And a challenge…

Paul and Barnabas and the early Christians were invited to let that love come alive as they travelled on mission to spread the News of Jesus and help grow the early Church.  Their love for God enabled them to creatively meet the challenges they had to face in addressing the complexities of life and culture and education; the gift of divine love transforms everything and everyone!

Divine Love is not to be a stranger in our lives as 21st Century Christians.  Jesus’ words hold true for us:  Love…as He loves!  What about God’s love in us?  Are we patient with others, and ourselves?  Do we really listen to one another?  Do small things get in the way of healthy relationships?  Are we people of peace, of justice?  Does selfishness hold us back from truly loving, in and through Jesus?

We may not receive a simple, bold exhortation as was delivered by Paul and Barnabas to the Church in Antioch; Jesus’ encouragement to love may not always seem so bold and convincing – and yet our renewed Easter Faith strengthens our hearts and gives direction to our lives.  Our 21st Century world desperately needs the love of Jesus and our love as His disciples.  As family and friends, let’s take Jesus’ message to heart…and to life!  To God be the glory…Amen!


Fr. John Schork, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community in Chicago, Illinois. 

Ash Wednesday

On March 2, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday. 

Most of us learned early in our Catholic lives that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, and that is a time of special sacrifice in preparation for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving…. These words of Pope Francis, taken from his Lenten Message of last year, 2021, and echoing the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, can still inspire our answer to the question: “What am I giving up for Lent?” 

We can draw our Lenten sacrifices out of our daily life: 

Share our faith in God’s presence by sharing in prayer with our family or with those in our parish community.
Share our hope in God’s promises by encouraging positive and respectful dialogue in our family circle and among our friends. 
Share the charity God has bestowed on us in the Passion of Jesus, with those whose sufferings are ignored or aggravated.

Let us pray for one another as we enter the season of Lent. Our Passionist “motto” can be our daily prayer during Lent, “May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.”