May Jesus Christ whose love opened for us the way to eternal life, be with you!

St. Francis de Sales said:  "To love our neighbor in charity is to love God in man."

We hear from our Gospel for today's Mass, excerpts challenging us to live by a new commandment; love one another.  For some people, this is an easy challenge.  For others, it can be difficult.  Imagine loving the person who hurt you or violated you in some way.  Or can you imagine loving someone who has a history of victimizing others? Our emotions tell us to retaliate, whether by revenge or by ignoring that person.

Can we imitate Jesus when he forgave those who nailed him to the cross?  Or can we be like Pope John Paul II, when he forgave the man who shot him or be like Immaculae ( a woman from Rwanda), who forgave her neighbor who had murdered her family because of tribal differences?

Can we forgive those who may have destroyed our character or hurt us in any way?

This season of Easter is not only a season of spiritual grace, it is also a reminder to us, to let go of grudges and allow grace to consume us so we can live according to that great commandment that Jesus issued to all believers.

Throughout this Easter season we ponder that love, which gained for us the promise of eternal life.

St. John, in his Book of Revelation, reminds us that Jesus Christ is to be the center of our lives, and of all we do and believe.

May we always pray for the ability to love our neighbor, no matter what,

Peace

Msgr. Britto