5th Sunday of Easter

Daily Meditation: John 13:31-35

Love one another. (John 13:34)

The time had come. Jesus had spent so much time teaching his apostles, revealing his Father to them, and preparing them to take his message of salvation to the world. But this was his last night on earth, and he wanted to make his final words to them count. And he did that by distilling all of his wisdom and revelation down into just one “new commandment” (John 13:34).

Love one another (John 13:34). Throughout his ministry, Jesus devoted himself to teaching us how to live together in love. He knew that everything he said and did contributed to this goal. He longed to pull down all the dividing walls that keep us from treating each other as brothers and sisters, created out of love by the same heavenly Father. And now he was about to break the biggest dividing wall: the power of sin.

As I have loved you (John 13:34). All along, Jesus had shown his apostles what love looks like. He was infinitely patient with their weak faith and their misunderstanding of him. He was constantly urging them to receive his Father’s mercy so that they could show mercy to one another. And now he would go so far as to offer his own life on the cross to set them free. This is how he loved them: by laying down his life for them. And this is how he wants us to love each other: in tangible ways, by pouring ourselves out in love for each other.

Jesus is no longer with us in the same way that he was with his apostles. But he is with us through the gift of his Spirit, through our brothers and sisters in Christ, and through his presence in the Eucharist. He is still with us to shower his love on us and to help us love one another in return. So let’s turn to him and receive that love. Let’s fulfill his new commandment!

“Jesus, thank you for your love! Lord, teach me to love the people around me as you have loved me.”

Acts 14:21-27
Psalm 145:8-13
Revelation 21:1-5