5th Sunday of Easter
Reading I: Acts 14:21-27 II: Rev 21:1-5
Gospel
John 13:31-35 31When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified;
32if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'
34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Interesting Details
- These verses are part of Jesus' last discourse to His disciples at the Last Supper. Judas has departed into the darkness (13:30) and Jesus begins His journey into the light of the Father's glory.
- (v.31) "now" - Jesus sees His "glorification" as already present. It has actually begun with the betrayal of Judas.
- (v.33) "children" - It is a phrase that the Father could use. On the lips of Jesus, it is precisely that, a phrase the Father speaks through the Son, for the Father and the Son are one (10:30).
- (v.34) "a new commandment" - Love was also commanded in the Old Testament, but it was restricted to other members of the inner circle, the fellow-Jews. The new love commanded by Jesus has to extend to all mankind. It must be spontaneous, unmotivated, directed to sinners and others unworthy of love as well.
One Main PointWe are to love because Christ has loved us and as Christ loved us.
Reflections
- Jesus' disciples have proven their love for their non-Christian fellows by enduring the hardships and even death while bringing the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles. Has my love for others been tested?
- Who does Jesus command me to love, and how?
- Is your community of faith (or group) clearly a community of love in Christ?