6th easter b

Welcome to Bible Study

6th Sunday of Easter B

10 May 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

1st Reading: Acts 10:25-26.34-35.44-48

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. 26 Peter, however, raised him up, saying, "Get up. I myself am also a human being."

34 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.

44 While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, 46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, 47 "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?" 48 He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

1st Reading: Acts 10:25-26.34-35.44-48




The focus is on God’s impartiality.

1st Reading: Acts 10:25-26.34-35.44-48Peter is not God.


God is impartial.


The Holy Spirit falls mysteriously


Commentary:

There are 2 important characters in the reading: Peter and Cornelius

In vv.25-26, Peter visits Cornelius. Cornelius does him homage. Peter right away clarifies that he is not God.

In vv.34-35, Peter affirms God is impartial. (Salvation is for anyone who fears God and acts uprightly)

In v. 44, the Holy Spirit falls upon all who are listening to God’s word.

In v. 45, the circumcised believers refer to the Jewish converts.

V. 45 indicates that Peter is not alone when he visits Cornelius. He is accompanied by others.

They are surprised to see the gift of the Holy Spirit is poured also upon the Gentiles. The gift is speaking in tongues and

glorifying God. (v.46)

In v.47, Peter asks if there is an objection if Cornelius and his household are baptized.

In v.48, Peter orders baptism to them.

Reflections on the first reading

God’s salvation is for everyone.

God does not discriminate against anyone as long

as he/she fears him and acts uprightly.

God also acts mysteriously.

The Holy Spirit falls on all who listen to the word

of the Lord, even before they are baptized, as in

the Acts.

Like Peter, we can be instruments of God’s

impartiality, by spreading his word to our brothers

and sisters who are yet unknown to us.

Resp. Psalm: Ps 98:1. 2-3. 3-4

R. 1 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,for he has done wondrous deeds;His right hand has won victory for him,his holy arm.

2 The LORD has made his salvation known:in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulnesstoward the house of Israel.

3b All the ends of the earth have seenthe salvation by our God.4 Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;break into song; sing praise.

Resp. Psalm: Ps 98:1. 2-3. 3-4

R. 1 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,for he has done wondrous deeds;His right hand has won victory for him,his holy arm.

2 The LORD has made his salvation known:in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulnesstoward the house of Israel.

3b All the ends of the earth have seenthe salvation by our God.4 Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;break into song; sing praise.

Commentary

The Psalm is classified as a royal psalm.

As a king, God has shown his might.

In v.1, the Lord reveals his saving power. He is not quiet about himself.

V.1b exhorts the believers to sing new song because of this.

In v.2, in parallel form, the psalmist says God reveals his salvation // justice to the nations.

Also in parallel form, the psalmist says God remembers his kindness // faithfulness to Israel. V.3

In v.3b, God is successful in projecting his power to all.

His power to save is seen by all, even those not seen by Israel.

In v.4, the believers are exhorted to sing to the Lord… a proper reaction, acknowledgment of God’s power of saving his people.

Reflections on the Psalm The psalm is God’s way of encouraging us to be more

expressive in our faith responses to God.

This word of God (in the words of men and women) calls us to celebrate.

The psalm helps us to complete our responses to his wondrous deeds.

We complete keeping his commandments (using our minds, strength and left brains) with celebrations (using our feelings and right brains).

In the psalm, we are asked to literally sing.

Singing is not just for entertainment, but giving ourselves to God.

We take effort to sing; we must sing new songs.

Implied is that we must have rehearsals which demand time, discipline and docility.

Singing the same old songs is a sign of stagnation, laziness and lack of initiative.

2nd Reading: 1 John 4:7-10

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because

love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten

by God and knows God. 8 Whoever is without

love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In

this way the love of God was revealed to us:

God sent his only Son into the world so that

we might have life through him. 10 In this is

love: not that we have loved God, but that he

loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our

sins.


7 Beloved, let us love one another, because

love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten

by God and knows God. 8 Whoever is without

love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In

this way the love of God was revealed to us:

God sent his only Son into the world so that

we might have life through him. 10 In this is

love: not that we have loved God, but that he

loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our

sins.

Love is the focus.


7 Beloved, let us love one

another, because love is of

God; everyone who loves is

begotten by God and knows

God. 8 Whoever is without

love does not know God, for

God is love.

9 In this way the love of God

was revealed to us: God

sent his only Son into the

world so that we might have

life through him.

10 In this is love: not that we

have loved God, but that he

loved us and sent his Son as

expiation for our sins.

Commentary:

The author plays on the word “love.”

Almost every line contains the word “love.”

The word “love” is used in two ways: 1) as exhortation: “Let us love one

another” (v.7)

2) as explanation/exposition: “loveis of God”, “Everyone who loves,” “For God is love.” (vv. 7-8, etc.)

Absence of love does not lead one to know God. (v.8)

V.9 says that God’s love is revealed to us: By sending his Son, that we may

have life.

V.10 clarifies God’s love to us.

It is triggered by his love for us, not by our love for him.

Reflections on the 2nd reading

The reading is abound with the word “love.” We should not miss this point.

Christians are exhorted to love one another.

There is nothing wrong in loving.

To love is divine; love comes from God.

God has shown his love for us by sending his Son.

On our part, failure to love is an indication that we don’t really know God.

Loving is knowing God.

Loving is sharing in the divine life of God.

Gospel reading: John 15:9-17

9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 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. 11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 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. 17 This I command you: love one another.


9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 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. 11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 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. 17 This I command you: love one another.

The focus is on love.


Basis of love

9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you.

The Commandment of Love

Remain in my love. 10 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. 11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

Love and Friendship

13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 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. 16 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.


17 This I command you: love one another.

Gospel reading: John 15:9-17Basis of love

9 As the Father loves me, so I also loveyou.



Love and Friendship




Commentary:

Love begins with the Father. The love of the Father is communicated to us through Christ (v.9)

Jesus wants us to remain in his love (to enjoy his love).

Jesus tells the secret of how to remain in his love: “if you keep my commandments.” (v.10). Staying in love is maintained through obedience.

Jesus himself is the good example of loving (v.10)

Jesus states the reason why we should stay in love: that his joy may be in us and that our

joy may be complete (v.11) Wow!

V.12 states the commandment of love.

Love is reciprocal; the kind of love we share should be the same level as the love of Jesus for us.

The love demanded of us is a high-quality, supreme quality love.

Gospel reading: John 15,9-17Basis of love

9 As the Father loves me, so I also loveyou.



Love and Friendship




Love finds its sublime expression in dying for one’s friends. (v.13)

Jesus considers us friends, if we keep his commandments (v.14)

Friendship with Jesus has obligations and responsibilities.

Privileges of the friends of Jesus Jesus dies for them

They are not considered slaves.

They know what the Father is doing (they can appreciate God’s works) (v.15)

They are Jesus’ chosen ones, appointed to bear fruit.

Their prayers are granted (v.16)

V.17 repeats the commandment in v.12. This time there is no “as I have lovedyou.” It is understood.

Reflections on the gospel reading

Loving is God’s imperative, a commandment.

We love because God has loved us first. We have the capacity to love.

There is no excuse for withholding love.

If we love God, we know more about God.

We become his friends, we know his secrets.

We must be loving persons.

In this way, our joy becomes complete.

There is no such thing as happiness and joy without love.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

God is impartial in showing his love (1st reading).

God saves everyone, Jews and Gentiles.

God shows his love for his people through

his powerful deeds. (Psalm 98)

Let us love. There are reasons for loving (2nd

reading)

We are commanded to love (gospel reading)

How to develop your homily / sharing

You may begin your homily by describing

what your audience know about love based

on their experiences (lover’s love, mother’s

love, puppy love, lola’s love, in-laws love).

It is high time for us to clarify what love is

about through the readings.

Love is the most abused and

misunderstood word.

We should not to be tied down to our own

limited definitions or narrow understanding.

According to the gospel, we Christians must loveone another.

We share in the divine life of God when we love.

Love is a mandate, not an option.

We have no right to refuse love to our brethren.

The love that is demanded of us is the love that promotes fraternity, community and family.

A love that destroys rightful and licit relationships is not love.

For sure, if you have that kind of “love”, you will never be happy in your life.

The 2nd reading repeats the commandment of

love in the gospel reading.

By loving, we increase our knowledge of God.

We do not know much about God and his

message if we don’t love.

What else do we know, if we don’t know God

and have no love?

We won’t even appreciate the coming of his

Son whom he sent to save us.

The 1st reading talks about God who loves.

God’s love embraces everyone, including the unexpected ones.

God’s love cannot be limited to a single race, color or religion.

In God’s love, there is no time and place for exclusivism and discrimination.

We Christians should be prepared to appreciate the unpredicted dealings of God with other people.

We open up ourselves to God’s movements by transcending our formulas, thought patterns and cultural and theological conditionings.

God was there already before we and they were born.

We only facilitate their integration into our communities.

The responsorial psalm demands us believers to celebrate God’s love.

We are not by-standers to God’s powerful deeds. We are celebrators.

We celebrate by articulating God’s love for us, by singing or reciting poetry, in the context of the liturgy.

We cannot totally relate with God without communal celebrations, backed up by our artistic talents.

Our Context

Partisan politics in the church and in religious organizations

Lovelessness

Distorted view of love, eroticism, free love

Prostituted, pornographic love

One way love

Unable to die, to give way to others

Frigid, rigid, infertile

Arid

Lack of imagination

Filial love

Drive to accomplish something

Agape meals

Spontaneous

Mature love

Reciprocral love

Liberative love

Celebrative love

What happens when we don’t love?

We have no friends, no joy. Life is meaningless. We live miserable lives.

Without love, we are disconnectedness from God and others. It is loneliness. It is a voluntary and outright violation of our identity.

It condemns us to be slaves for ever who will know nothing about God. We cannot do much. We can’t help. We cannot be helped.

We are useless in our families, in the church, in our group and in society.

We are useless to the poor and to the marginalized. We are like dead, without feelings, good for nothing.

We cannot truly celebrate. We become kill-joy.

The eucharist is a sign of God’s love for us.

In the eucharist, Christ brings us closer to himself and to one another in the community and in the family.

In the eucharist, Christ comes to nurture us and make our lives meaningful.

In the eucharist, Christ teaches us to lay down our lives for our friends.

Participation in the eucharist is an experience of love: God’s love for us and our love for him.

The eucharist anticipates the complete joy promised by Jesus.

6th easter b

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