To love as Jesus loves

St. Matthias

John 15:9-17

We come to know the apostle who replaced Judas.  Though apostles are irreplaceable, there might be a reason for filling up the 12.  What we're more interested in is how this apostle was chosen.  The reading pointed two requirements: first, "that he was with us" and second, "that he also witnessed the resurrection of the Lord".

Today's gospel gives more insights on the qualities of an apostle:

First, "loved by Jesus" - an concrete experience of Jesus' love as the Father loves Jesus.

Second, "loves Jesus" - our capacity to respond to Jesus' love by becoming his friend

Third, "loves as Jesus loves" - our capacity to love others as Jesus loves us even if it means laying down one's life for one's friends.


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