Saturday 23 April 2016

5th SUNDAY OF EASTER-C
I Reading: Acts 14:21-27: They gave an account to the Church of all that God had done with them.
II Reading: Apocalypse 21:1-5: God will wipe away all tears form their eyes.
Gospel: John 13:31-35: I give you a new commandment: love one another.
The Departure of Jesus From This World, 13:31-38
What kind of Christian community does the Risen Lord wants us to be? How can we love God and our neighbours?
Jesus told his disciples after the washing of feet in the last supper, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just I have loved you. You also love one another.” Jn 13:34
What kind of love is Jesus talking about?
It is a serving love: I did not come to be served but serve people.
It is a merciful love: Jesus had compassion and mercy seeing the crowd who were without food and drink. Jesus had mercy and compassion to the poor, sick, suffering, widow, sinners, tax collectors etc.
It is a total commitment and dedication love: I (the good shepherd) lay down my life for my sheep at any cost to save the life of each sheep.
It is an agape love(selfless, total love, the highest love): Jesus loved the people selflessly without any expectation from people.
It is a forgiving love: Jesus on the cross said, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what are they doing?”
By your love, they will come to know that you are my disciples.
The risen Christ calls us to be faithful to the covenant we signed with him at Baptism, to proclaim the Good News to the people, to be committed to love one another whatever the cost, to share the joys and sorrows of our Christian brothers and sisters and finally to go through life joyfully with God to our permanent home heaven. Jesus as our good leader himself leads us on our way home. Let us experience the love of Jesus and love our brothers and sisters unconditionally as God loved us.
The death and departure of Jesus from the world was most significant.
1. Jesus’ death brought a threefold glory (v.31-32)
a. The Son of Man’s glory: The Cross
b. God’s glory: Jesus’ obedience
c. Jesus’ glory: The Resurrection
2. Jesus’ death demanded a new commandment (v.33-35)
a. The reason: His departure from the earth
b. The new commandment: To love as Jesus loved
c. The mark of a true discipleship: Love
3. Jesus’ death revealed stumbling loyalty (v.36-38)
a. Cause 1: Misunderstanding Jesus’ death
b. Cause 2: Carnal commitment
Thought: How many make the same mistake about the cross? Misunderstanding the cross and Jesus as the exalted Lord (as opposed to His being just as a great teacher) causes stumbling and faltering faith. (1Cor 1:18, 23; 2Cor 4:3-5)

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