Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this week?
Facilitator reads focus statement: All three readings today highlight God's initiative in the world. In the first reading, it is God who launches the Gentile mission in conferring the Spirit upon Cornelius' household. In the familiar Johnanine refrain on the primacy of love, the second reading reminds us that it is God who first loves us, and the Gospel says the same in referring to our election as disciples. We did not have to search out God. He came looking for us.
Now read the readings, pausing after each one.
FIRST READING: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
This reading is sometimes called the "Gentile Pentecost" because in it is described a powerful act of 'Spirit outpouring' on Gentiles thought previously to be excluded from God's plan. When Peter sees God at work in Cornelius, he becomes aware that "in truth, God shows no partiality." If God has accepted the gentiles into his household so must the Christian church. Also, in this reading baptism is seen not so much a cause of God's love but as a celebration of it.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 98
This psalm takes up the theme of God's universal love emphatically declaring that, "all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of God."
SECOND READING: 1 John 4:7-10
"In these four verses, the Church's mission to carry the Good News to all people is shown to be rooted in the very identity of God ("love is from God"). The word love is mentioned nine times. Just as God's love impelled him to send his Son to us as a Savior ("God's love was revealed among us in this way. God sent his only Son into the world... to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins"), so the Christian is bound to live according to that same pattern ("Beloved...we also ought to love one another"). The author of 1 John was concerned about members of his community who had dismissed the importance of fraternal love. Here, the author grounds the ethical imperative of Jesus ("love one another") in the mission of Jesus himself, indeed, in the very being of God!" [Foundations in Faith]
GOSPEL: John 14:15-16
These verses are recognized as one of the finest discourses on love. The word love (agape) is used nine times in the reading weaving together, the love God has for Jesus, the love Jesus has for his friends, and the love friends have for one another. The source of all this love is, of course, God's divine love. The disciples are invited to live and abide in this love. The love Jesus speaks of is a sacrificial love. It moved Jesus to sacrifice all for the world and it calls us to do the same. It, also, calls us to obey God's commandments. So by living out Jesus' command to love, the disciples became totally involved in Jesus' mission to embrace all. By living in his love, the disciples will bear much fruit.
FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS
1. What verse, idea or image spoke to you and how does it relate to your life?
2. In Jesus' time, the Gentiles were considered as "them" and the Jews as "us". In our time, name some of the groups considered as "them". If we really saw the "them people" as part of God's household, to what extent would we continue to view them as "them"?
3. As the Father loves Jesus, to that extent Jesus loves us. How many of us really believe this? What might make it hard or easy to believe this wonderful Good News?
4. Jesus wants to "bare fruit" in and through us. How is this happening to you at this time? Is there a way you are not bearing fruit that you would like to?
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Name one way you can act on these readings. Suggestion: Take action on the "us" and "them" issue. Pray for "them". Defend "them" when they are spoken about in an uncharitable way.
CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION