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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