May 1-2, 2010
5th Sunday of Easter
| 1st Reading: |
Acts 14:21-27 |
| Responsorial Psalm |
Ps. 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13 |
| 2nd Reading: |
Revelations 21:1-5a |
| Gospel: |
John 13:31-33a, 34-35 |
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus’ farewell address to his disciples at the Last Supper. Now, being that it is the fifth Sunday in Easter you may wonder why the readings are going back to before Jesus was crucified. Well, it helps us to see His crucifixion in a new light. We can see that Jesus’ death and resurrection not only revealed His glory, but also our ability to share in that glory. The Gospel also helps us to understand the “new commandment” that Jesus gave to his Disciples on that night – “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Notice that Jesus tells us to not only love one another, but to love as He has loved. Big difference. We already love our parents, parents sacrifice for their children, we donate money and time to worthy causes, we help our neighbors when they are in trouble, etc. This love is what defines us as Disciples; if this is the life that we are living than perhaps we are sharing in the mission that Jesus gave us, but if we are not, than the message of today’s Gospel is for us. Take time this week to examine how the Gospel applies to your life – do you need to be more self-sacrificing as Jesus was, or are on the right path and just need to continue the mission of Jesus.
