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Gospel Reading for May 14, 2025 – John 15: 9-17
ALL IS NOT LOST
Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
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It is said that you cannot give something you don’t have. This is often said of those who did not experience being loved from childhood. Adults who grew up in a “loveless” environment, usually have difficulty giving love to others because in the first place, they find it hard to keep relationships. And love is given in relationships – in a family, among co-workers, friends, communities, etc. .
This is why the role of parents or surrogate parents is very important in helping the child develop the ability to love others. Even from the womb, the unborn baby needs to feel that the mother is doing her best to make sure the baby has a healthy environment – no drugs, alcohol, food, etc. that will compromise the health of the baby. Even simply massaging the belly and talking to the baby will already form a bond between mother and child. Welcoming the baby as a gift from God, by not hoping the baby is male or female will work wonders. And when the baby finally comes out, the way the parents welcome the baby will be felt by the baby. If love is expressed all around, the baby will feel this. But, this is just the beginning. As the child grows up, he/she needs to really feel loved by both parents – no favourites among them. They need to see and realize the sacrifice their parents are making for them but not make them feel they owe their parents something. They need to see their parents loving each other – a very good example.
GOD IS THE SOURCE OF LOVE. As persons, we have the intrinsic ability to love, having been made in God’s image and likeness. So, even if the child is wanting, ALL IS NOT LOST. There is still hope that as adults, when they are truly loved, they will learn to give love in return.
Let us ponder on this song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW –
What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
No, not just for some but for everyone.
Lord, we don’t need another mountain.
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb.
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross,
enough to last until the end of time.
Lord, we don’t need another meadow.
There are corn fields and wheat fields enough to grow.
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine.
Oh, listen Lord, if You want to know.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
No, not just for some, oh, but just for every, everyone!
