As I have loved you

The Fifth Sunday of Easter – Year C 

 
Collect 

Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Acts 14:21-27

They called the Church together and reported what God had done with them.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news to that city
   and made a considerable number of disciples,
   they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
   and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
   “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
   to enter the kingdom of God.”
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
   with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
   in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
   where they had been commended to the grace of God
   for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
   and reported what God had done with them
   and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

The word of the Lord.

Ps 145: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13

R. :

℟. (Cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
   slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
   and compassionate toward all his works.

℟. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
   and let you faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
   and speak of your might.

℟. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
   and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
   and your dominion endures through all generations.

℟. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

Rev 21:1-5a

God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

A reading from the Book of Revelation

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
   and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
   coming down out of heaven from God,
   prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
   “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
   and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
   and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
   for the old order has passed away.”

The one who sat on the throne said,
   “Behold, I make all things new.”

The word of the Lord.

Acclamation before the Gospel

Jn 13:34

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

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

I give you a new commandment: love one another.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

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 he 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.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection 

Even if we are in Eastertide, today’s gospel takes us back to the Cenacle, before He went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas brought a band of soldiers to arrest Him. In John’ Gospel we find a number of long speeches delivered by Jesus to his disciples during that meal which end with Jesus praying for an intimate union with His disciples—a union with the same intensity that exists between the Father and the Son. Jesus says that He desires His disciples to experience the same love with which the Father loves the Son! This is the glory of the Father and the Son. 

What love is Jesus speaking of? And why is this Gospel chosen for the Easter season? 

The love Jesus desires His disciples to have for each other is the same love that He has for them. As disciples, Jesus also commands us to love one another other as He loves us. This Commandment is not a law. No one can force someone to love. Those that have experienced the love of Jesus, love their neighbour effortlessly. Love is as natural as grapes are naturally the fruit of the vine.

Do you allow yourself to be loved by Jesus? 

A strange question, isn’t it? But many Christians do not take the opportunity to allow Jesus to love them. Their minds are always on their ministry. An apostolate is important, as long as it doesn’t become the centre of your life. Are you allowing time for yourself to be alone with Him, listening and responding? An encounter with Jesus as Lord is not only a declaration of faith. It is an experience! 

The Church is made up of Jesus’ disciples. Each and every one is loved by him, His friends. 

How do you love the other disciples? How is your love towards them? Is it a love that reflects Jesus, who washed your feet? 

“Even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Prayer 

Lord, sow in my heart the same love that exists between You and the Father, and sincerely let me allow You to love me. Amen. 

 

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