May 14, Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Daily Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Gospel John 15:9-17
Preach the Gospel message with words and actions, as did St. Matthias. Since COVID-19 isn't going away any time soon, let's continue spreading the kind of love Christ wants us to have for one another.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus talks about love as if it were a simple thing that anyone could share or give away. "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you."
When we talk about love, we often think of it in terms of romance. People often overlook the fact that there are different types of love: love for friends, parents, or children; and for neighbors. The last one, for our neighbors, is usually overlooked.
We heard reports of people discriminating against their COVID-19-infected neighbors during the pandemic. We felt that the will to survive had triumphed over love, which was the least important thing to consider.
However, we've heard and read accounts of people offering rides home to people forced to walk for hours because public transportation was unavailable. Those churches and institutions provided to house frontliners or those unable to return to their provinces. Those priests who visited the sick even though they had to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were at risk of contracting the virus.
"There is no greater love than giving one's life for friends." isn't that the definition of love? Isn't this the kind of love Jesus wants us to have for one another?
"It was not you who chose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain," Jesus also said. The love we have given to our family, friends, and neighbors will bear fruit in the end. These people will pass on the love that you have given them to their families and communities.
Today is also the feast day of St. Matthias the Apostle. As stated in the First Reading, Matthias took Judas' place. We all know what Judas did. Is it possible for us to replace the "Judas" in our lives with goodness?
Preach the Gospel message with love, as St. Matthias did, not only with words but also with actions. Since COVID-19 isn't going away anytime soon, let's keep spreading the kind of love Christ wants us to have for one another.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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