The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.--Psalm 113:8
Mass readings: Acts 1:15-17,20-26 / John 15:9-17
Jesus says the word ''love'' nine times in today's Gospel, three of them, direct commands ''to love'' -- and to do so ''as I love you.'' Grasping what this means begins with reflecting on Jesus' next declaration: ''It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.''
If I lived as if I believed this, I wouldn't ask God ''why me?'' just in times of disaster, but also in times of goodness and blessing. I didn't choose my own life, or even decide to wake up this morning. I am, because God chose me. God gave me life. God gave me faith. In His great love, God has called me to this place, to this time. This is a humbling, generous measure, and it's the scale for how I am to love others.
Prayer: Father, teach me how to love.