Sixth Sunday of Easter
Jn 15:9-17

Widowed at an early age and left with a young family, Brigid made a decision. She would devote her life to her children. To provide for them and to rear them was a full-time task. Often the going was hard and lonely but she never regretted the decision she had made. She found a deep personal fulfillment in giving of herself. Her giving was a giving in love. Such a giving brings a peace that the self-centered can never know.

To be a loving giver is to be truly human. We are made in the image of God, the giver of all. His son freely decided to give himself in life and in death for each of us. He invites us to follow his example. 'Love one another as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends'.

It demands faith and confidence in oneself and in God to accept the invitation. Today's gospel puts the issue plainly before us.

(Commentary by Tom Clancy. Taken from "Preaching the Word", Columba)