1 John 3:11-21 / John 1:43-51
In the beginning, there was love. In the end, there will still be love.
In between however, love will be put to the test in order to see if it will stand the test of time.
The first test came about when Eve was tempted and both she and Adam failed in the test of love.
From then on, love was continually tested with Cain cutting his brother Abel's throat, as the 1st reading recalled.
But we don't have to cut someone's throat in order to kill or murder someone. That's also too gruesome for us to do it.
The 1st reading puts it starkly in the reality of life - to hate your brother is to be a murderer.
It also reminds us that our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active.
God is love and His love is eternal, and He has created us in love and calls us to love.
We must believe that only love will stand the test of time, whilst everything else will come and go.
And when we come face to face with the God of love, may we offer Him hearts that are filled with loving acts for our neighbours.