The Fifth Sunday of Easter, C – May 15, 2022 – “Let us love one another!” My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Many years ago, when I was in the college seminary, one of the monk-professors used to make the distinction between “LUV” and “Love.” We understood this immediately. Though we liked the popular songs of our time, we sensed that many were not about real love. We all wanted the real thing not a fake substitute. That was why we had come to the seminary. We strived to love God and others more and more. We all wanted to one day be good, loving priests and pastors. Of course, getting from point A to point B is the struggle. Our sins get in the way, and we do what we ought not to do and omit what we ought to do. Soon it dawns on us that we cannot love without God’s help. God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son. That is the message of the Scriptures today. As we go through life, we experience love and learn to love in many ways. Usually, we first learn from parents who love each other and love us. How could we learn to love more and more unless we were first loved unconditionally? Then for many comes the repeat of falling in love and marriage with children. Is it easy to truly love as Jesus loved us? If it were, Jesus would not have taken up the cross and died for our sins. No cross no crown! If we want an easy way to heaven or an easy religion, we will never find it, because it cannot exist. If we think we have found a Christianity without the Cross, it is counterfeit. Thus, the Scripture exhortations to us: Acts of the Apostles, 14:23: “’It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.’” John 13:34-35: “’I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’” Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” These final words teach that the way of the Lord is worthwhile and will lead to the ultimate triumph and victory of Love. Therefore, let us love one another. Yours in the Risen Lord, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor