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Gospel Reading for May 23, 2025 – John 15: 12-17
OUTSMART
Jesus said to his disciples: “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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If people in the world will truly love one another, especially love our enemies, perhaps 90 to 95% of the problems in this world will be solved. Most of the problems that are created in this world is because of the lack or even absence, of love or the presence of the 7 deadly sins of: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. We quote the poet Virgil: “Amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori” (Love conquers all things, so we too shall yield to love.) Of course, Love conquers all because God is Love. It is the most effective tool to win the battle with evil.
Some of us would imagine that Satan was so happy when Jesus underwent suffering and died on the cross. Probably, Satan even cringed because he knew it would be his downfall. He can never ever OUTSMART God! If we choose to love, instead of hate, the devil cannot outsmart us!
Lord Jesus, help us remain in your love so we may remain strong in the midst of challenges!
