By Aldo Vibi Brandon csc –
Readings: Acts 1: 15-17, 20-26; Jn 15: 9-17
The gospel reading tells us what will happen to us when we follow the commandments of God. It gives us peace and happiness. Then why are we hesitant to follow his commandments? Many times, we are slaves to laws. We apply these laws to justify our way of living. The spirit of the law is love. When we recall the event of the woman caught in adultery, the law says ‘stone her to death.
Jesus, knowing the mind of Pharisees, told them, “whoever among you have no sins, throw a stone at her.” Jesus asked her to sin no more. These commandments have been given to us to check how we love our family, friends, and relatives. We use the customs and laws to find fault with others’ decision. For instance, a girl fell in love with a boy and married. If they were not from the same community, the girl’s mother would be accused of wrong upbringing of her daughter.
As Christians, we should understand that laws and commandments are given to discipline ourselves not for condemnation. It is given to love one another as friends. Jesus said, ‘you are my friends, if you do what I command you.’ As we grow, let us see our own family members as our friends. Let us not pass judgment on one another, because Jesus never passes judgment on us. He is ever ready to forgive us.
Let us follow his commandment to love others as he loved us.