Theme for the Pope’s visit to Sri Lanka was launched at the press conference held today (12th September, 2014) at the Archbishop’s House Auditorium by Rev. Fr, Cyril Gamini, Director, Media Secretariat for the Pope’s visit to Sri Lanka.

“Abide in Love”, the theme of Pope Francis’ visit to Sri Lanka has its roots in John 15:9 “As Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love”

What is Love? Is a question asked by many people. First Epistle of John gives a very short but a deep answer: “God is Love” (4:8). God is the source of love, He is the standard of love, the one encourages us in love and who commands us to love.

God’s love for us is manifested in sending Jesus as the Savior of the world. Because Jesus is the son of God, he stands in unique relationship with God Therefore he mediates salvation. He is the indwelling of God with us and the fullness of God love.

Those who live in love, live in God. Love for others and living in relationship with God are inseparable. The shape of perfect love is triangular, whose points are God, self and neighbor. Where one leg of the triangle is missing, love remains incomplete and immature. But where the triangle is whole, love is complete.

Jesus chose twelve disciples to take the fullness of God’s love to the whole mankind, after him. He gave them a new commandment: “You love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12). These disciples and the other faithful Christians made this commandment a reality even by giving up their lives.

Pope Francis is the present shepherd who has dedicated himself to spread this commandment of love throughout the whole world.

As Christ preached to his disciples, Holy Father who is the living representative of Christ too urges us to “Abide in Love”.