Bible reading: May 4th : First reading We have come with good news to turn you to the living God A Reading from the Acts of Apostles 14: 5-18 In those days: When an attempt was made [at Iconium] by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat Paul and Barnabas and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ‘‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. The Word of the Lord. May 4th : Responsorial Psalm Psalm 115:1–2, 3–4, 15–16 (R. 1ab) Response : Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory, for your merciful love and fidelity. Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?” R.: Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory. But our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he wills. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. R.: Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory. May you be blest by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The heavens, the heavens belong to the Lord, but to the children of men, he has given the earth. R.: Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory. Alleluia V. Alleluia. R. Alleluia. V. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. R. Alleluia. May 4th : Gospel The Advocate, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St.John 14: 21-26 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world? Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The Gospel of the Lord. ____________ Today's Gospel Reflection: Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” John 14:21 Most people would not think of “love” as obedience to commandments. Yet, that is precisely how Jesus defines it. To understand the truthfulness of His teaching, we must first consider the nature of love. Saint Thomas Aquinas defines love as both an emotion and an action. As an emotion, it is part of our human nature and is the first response of the concupiscible appetite to a good perceived as desirable. This natural love is directed toward goods apprehended through the senses, such as food, people, or enjoyable activities. Since love as an emotion pertains to the sensory appetite and is tied to physical or sensible goods, it plays an essential role in the human experience. However, it’s important to note that just because a good is perceived as desirable does not mean it is truly good for us or in accord with God’s perfect will. The love that Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel, however, far transcends natural love. While it does involve desire and emotion when perfected, it is ultimately charity—a supernatural, spiritual love flowing from our union with Him. Charity, infused by grace, elevates love to a higher, rational act of the will, seeking the good of another for the other’s sake and fulfilling God’s commandments as an expression of that love. This distinction invites us to examine the type of love we have toward God and others. If our love for God is purely emotional, it will be dictated by superficial and sometimes misguided desires. When we feel consolation on an emotional level, we might respond with an emotionally loving sentiment toward God. When something inspires us and we feel His presence, we might desire Him intensely. Yet, while this form of love has its place and will play a role in our relationship with God when our soul is fully perfected, it is initially a poor guide to charity. The same principle applies to our relationships with others. Sometimes the pure love of charity hurts on a natural level. The demands of charity often call us to act contrary to our immediate desires and to love even when we do not feel like loving. Earlier in Chapter 14 of John’s Gospel, Jesus expresses the ideal of charity even more clearly: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). At the very heart of charity toward God is obedience. This obedience involves a three-fold process. First, with our minds, we must understand God’s will, believe it, and assent to it as the highest good, even if our disordered appetites initially resist His will. Once our minds clearly perceive and understand the highest good to which we are called—God’s perfect commandments—our wills must choose to follow them. When our disordered appetites interfere, we must rely on grace to strengthen our resolve and enable us to choose the higher good. When this process becomes habitual, and our minds and wills are regularly directed toward God’s will, even our emotions and appetites begin to conform. We come to delight in His commandments, finding refreshment and fulfillment in them. This spiritual delight far surpasses emotional satiation. This is because only God’s will—expressed through His commandments—can make us whole and enable us to become who we are created to be. Though the journey is often challenging, what joy we experience when we delight in God’s will through grace! Reflect today on Jesus’ clear invitation to love Him through obedience to His will. Because His love for us is perfect, His commands are always for our good. Sometimes we are like children with erratic emotions and desires who need the gentle direction of a loving parent. Don’t see God’s commands as a burden; the opposite is true. God’s commands set us free to love through charity and to experience both spiritual and emotional joy in the process. When we love Jesus with this highest form of love, we will be gifted with a relationship with Him and His Father, Who will reveal themselves to us, satisfying our every desire. My demanding Lord, Your commands are perfect and guide me into the highest good achievable. May I never perceive Your commands as a burden but have the wisdom I need to understand they are for my good, for Your glory, and for the good of all. I choose You and Your will today and always. Help me to embrace Your will with joy and confidence. Jesus, I trust in You. #Bible reading