This week's Gospel message literally cannot be beaten. It is the call to love one another as God loves us. Quite a challenge.

We often speak to the children of the need to understand the historical context of the Gospel message.  I noted the context for this Sunday's Gospel in the daily reflection from God's Word 2019.  It speaks of 'early Christians being slandered as haters of men.  The emperor Nero burned Rome and placed the blame on Christians, dressed them with animal skins and fed them to the wild beasts in the arena.  He burned them to light his imperial garden at night.  Yet, pagans who came to know Christians were struck by them.  'See how they love one another!'  When calamities and plagues struck a city, the pagans would flee for dear life, abandoning the sick and the dead.  Christians on the other hand would remain and attend to the sick, and so saved those who would have easily died.'  These practices of love led to the rapid spread of Christianity.   

The commandment to love is central to our Christian faith.  Without love, society falls apart.  Sadly we see evidence of this on the news each night.  Equally though we see the 'good sorts' of today, who are models of love in times of sadness and hatred.  We continue to be inspired by these people and challenge ourselves to live the number one commandment.  Love one another as God loves each and every one of us.