May 15, 2022: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. 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.”

Reflection

Before Jesus leaves to be with the Father, he speaks of a new commandment. We, his disciples, are to love one another as he has loved us.

How does Jesus love us? Jesus’ love for all is unconditional and constant. He not only requires his disciples to love others as they love themselves, rather Jesus invites us to love as he loves us: to death.

Action

Most likely very few among us will be asked to give our lives for another. What Jesus does ask of us is to love unconditionally and constantly, no matter what. During this Easter Season of grace, can we ask for the gift to love as Jesus loves because of the power of the Holy Spirit within us?