The love that God asks of us in the second reading from 1 John, is agape love. This type of love is a self- giving love that expects no return. It is the love our mothers gave to us in giving birth to us. I thank God each day for my mother. It is a mother’s love that is everlasting. Jesus, too experienced this love from his mother, who gave birth to him. So, how do we know the love of God? John says we know it not in what we do for God but what God does for us in sending us his Son. Jesus sent his Son through Mary. That is why we can turn to our heavenly mother to intercede on our behalf in the quick assurance that her prayers on our behalf go directly to Jesus. The gift of the Spirit allows us to experience the love of God in an even deeper way. Let us love others as God has loved us, even when others may not fit the mold or may be shaped differently than ourselves. That is the message of the first reading from Acts and the gospel reading from John this weekend.
Our hymns this week speak of love. Here is the music to be presented at most weekend Masses. https://bit.ly/32Rj5vk May 8 and 9 Hymns
This week, we offer "Hymn of Promise" by Natalie Sleeth featuring Jessica Fritz (flute), John Fritz (piano) ; Arranged(ish) by John Fritz. He wrote the flute harmony part on verse 2 and improvised the piano part throughout. Thanks, John and Jessica for sharing with us!