The Holy Gospel according to John (15:12-16).
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.””
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: Today is the Memorial St. Maximilian Kolbe, who was born in Poland. He was later ordained Franciscan Priest. After the Nazis invaded Poland, he helped thousands of refugees, including Jews. He was eventually arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Auschwitz. A prisoner escaped and, in retaliation, the prison guards selected 10 men at random to die by starvation. St. Maximilian offered to take the place of a young father named Franciszek Gajowniczek. St. Maximilian later died by starvation in a prison cell. Franciszek Gajowniczek was present when St. Maximilian was canonized by St. Pope John Paul II in October 1982.
This Gospel is from the readings for his Memorial. In this Gospel, Jesus gives us a simple by challenging command: “Love one another an I have loved you.” Jesus calls us to love with the same self-giving love that he demonstrated to us. Jesus also tells us, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s own life for one’s friend.” We saw this love demonstrated to us by his dying on the cross for us. Jesus’ love is not based on what we deserve. It is a love that is freely given to all of us. Jesus loved us first, forgave us, and gave everything for our salvation.
During his lifetime, St. Maximilian preached the love of Christ and showed this love of Christ by his example. Before being sent to Auschwitz, he did missionary work in Asia and founder several monasteries. St. Maximilian also had a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He started the Militia Immaculatae. This was a group of Catholics who prayed for the conversion of sinners and enemies of the Catholic Church,
Action for the Day: We need to remember that we are chosen and loved by Jesus. Because we have received this love, we are called to go forth and share this love. We are called to love another as Jesus loves us. We need ask ourselves, are we are loving the people God has placed in our lives? This can be done by being patient with someone who is difficult, forgiving someone who has hurt us, listening to someone who is lonely, or putting another person’s needs before our own. Pray for the grace to love as Jesus loved.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you. God bless you and Martha.