What Jesus discussed with His Apostles at the Last Supper...
Reflections on the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (May 19, 2019): ACTS 14:21-27; PS 145:8-9,10-11,12-13; REV 21:1-5; JN 13:31-33,34-35
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The Gospel reading is set at the Last Supper after Judas leaves on his way to betray our Lord.
Jesus announces to the other Apostles that His time has come for Him to be glorified in the Father. It is, in fact, time for the Son of God to sacrifice Himself for His people – and then to rise up from the dead. Jesus wants these dear friends and followers to appreciate the necessity of love. “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” (John 13:34-35). Only the immeasurable love of the Father for the Son and the Son for the Father makes possible our ability to truly love each other. And Christ does not expect us to love others a little, when it’s easy and without painful consequences, but with commitment and conviction.
Our Redeemer loves us enough to die for us. And He wants us to share that love with others by spreading the Gospel of life, mercy and salvation. We should be able to recognize Christians not just because we say we believe in Jesus, but also because we turn our lives over to Him. We need to model our words and actions on His generous compassion for all people. And that includes people who can be hard to love: those who are difficult or dirty, who are sick or imprisoned, who are troublesome or needy. God excludes no one from His love and asks us to do the same. We are disciples because we live in His love, rejoice in His love and reveal His love to everyone we meet. Our Lord suffered on the road to Calvary and we must be willing to do the same – for Love’s sake, for His sake.
