Love and Service Sunday
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
How normal is it for anyone to say, “I am glad because I am suffering?” Yet, that is what the apostles said in our first reading – “So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name” (Acts 5:41). This courage, and similar acts of valor, turn our minds to the real meaning of Christianity – a religion of the cross, the cross of Jesus Christ, the cross of a follower of Christ.
Quite often, the cross of a Christian comes from unexpected quarters. For the apostles, it was their co-religionists and compatriots – fellow Jews and the chief priest and his cohort. Interestingly, few days earlier, it was Jesus that was the culprit and the criminal to be arrested and silenced, now the same people hunt down Jesus’ disciples and apostles. The lot of Jesus Christ becomes the lot of his followers, the mystery of a Christian’s cross.
What is fascinating is that the name of Christ brings with it suffering: “to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name,” which name, the name of Christ, from where the name “Christian” takes its origin – like Christ like Christian. The lesson to bear in mind is that Jesus Christ leaves us an example of the cost of salvation – the imperative of suffering for Christians. Two consoling statements of Peter tell a Christian the end result and consequences of suffering: 1) “God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior” (Acts 5:); 2) “We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:). Jesus Christ was rewarded for carrying his cross – he now sits at the right hand of God; that is, he has a place of honor, glory and power before God. This same reward awaits every Christian who carries his/her cross gallantly as Jesus Christ did. But even while upon earth, the Holy Spirit is already given to every Christian to be able to carry her/his cross. The courage and boldness of the apostles come from the Holy Spirit of God at work in the apostles.
True, Jesus now sits at the right hand of God because he suffered death for human salvation from sin, and he gives human beings the possibility of eternal salvation. This point of Christ’s reward for his suffering makes the act of “witnessing” bearer of two meanings: 1) suffering for one faith, and 2) testifying to one’s faith. The apostles preached the death and resurrection of Christ as those who witnessed that event, but they also suffered on account of the same preaching. These two dimensions of witnessing must go together in the life of a Christian, if he/she hopes for eternal salvation.
Our second reading explains the reason Jesus is worshipped as God, when it says: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12). The fundamental reason for the reward of worship Jesus receives is that he died the ignominious death of the cross, not for his own sins, but for yours and mine.
Today’s gospel brings together the two essential elements in a life of a Christian: “love” and “followership.” The triple question of Jesus to Peter, “do you love me?,” is a clear indication that without love, the Christian life becomes a pretense and not a reality. This is clearly seen in Peter’s response to Jesus’ question: agapas me pleon toutōn – “do you love me more than these (others)”? Notice that Jesus uses “agapé” – “love” understood as sacrifice of one’s life. In response, Peter says: philō se – “I love you”; that is, “love” of friendship and not “love” of sacrifice. After two trials, the third time, Jesus asks him, phileis me – “do you love?” This time, Jesus uses the term for the love of “friendship”; Jesus meets Peter where he was at, love of friendship, but commands him “follow me,” which is an invitation to Peter to rise to the level of love as sacrifice.
A true Christian is a follower of Christ who succeeds in transiting from the love of friendship to love of sacrifice. It is the love of sacrifice that makes a Christian’s life to be like that of Christ, a life of the cross and a life of sacrifice. The desire of Christ to raise Peter to the understanding of “love” as sacrifice is Christ’s desire for every Christian. The good news is that Peter did rise to the occasion and died on the cross like his master Jesus Christ. But for you and me, are we ready to live a sinless life?
When I cannot even fast during Lent, how can I avoid adultery or fornication with a handsome man or a beautiful woman? When I abhor poverty, as if it were a leper, how would I not succumb to theft, stealing and rubbery, when the opportunity presents itself? When power is what gives meaning to my life, what will stop me from real and character assassinations in order to achieve my ambitions. Since influence and recognition is what I crave, what will stop me from from indecent dressing, movies, and magazines?
“Follow me,” is to follow the way of righteousness and sinlessness. The avoidance of sin and evil and the embrace of the cross are two sides of the same coin – they both need courage and the grace of God to accomplish, especially in an age of ISIL and Boko Haram. For those who love God, and follow Christ, the cross is no longer an enemy but a bridge to eternal salvation. Indeed, you and I need to figure out our response to Jesus’ question and invitation to Peter and to us – “Do you love me? . . . . Follow me!”
Assignment for the Week
Revisit your Lenten penances and ask yourself if they have helped you to be a better Christian or to overcome bad habits.