Scripture Reflection - May 18, 2025

Fifth Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 14: 21-27

Second Reading: Revelation 21: 1-5a

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

Although we are celebrating the 5th Sunday after Easter, our gospel today tells of an event that took place before the first Easter, the night Jesus was betrayed. That evening, Jesus ate a special dinner with his friends and washed their feet, knowing one was present who would deny knowing him, another who would hand him over to enemies, and yet another who would doubt the resurrection.

In spite of this knowledge, Jesus’ message that evening was to love one another--unconditionally. His entire life was summed up in that one line, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  This means loving those who doubt us, deny knowing us, and even those who betray us. Jesus showed us to love without exception and without expecting anything in return.   Even when we were broken, when we turned away, when we failed — Jesus still chose us, forgave us, and embraced us.

This is so different from how our world operates, where everything is measured and we keep score of wrongs done to us. Jesus is inviting us to love unreservedly, making clear that this love commandment is the hallmark of discipleship. This isn’t the kind of love the world teaches. The world loves those who love them back.

But Jesus’ love reaches the unlovable, the outcast, the one who hurt you. Jesus knelt and washed the feet of the very one who would betray him. That’s the example Jesus set.

It is no easy task for us to love one another. Jesus never said it would be. Looking back at his death and resurrection, we can see it was not easy for him either. It is never going to be easy to love unconditionally, without agenda or expectation. It is never going to be easy to love in a way that makes us vulnerable. It is never going to be easy to love people who aren’t like us.

Although not easy, it is possible, or Jesus wouldn’t have commanded it. And today, Jesus calls us to do the same, not just in words, but in action. Loving one another means being patient, forgiving quickly, showing kindness even when it’s hard, and choosing to build each other up.

As we reflect on today’s gospel, who in your life needs to experience that kind of love from you? A family member, a neighbor, a coworker?

The world will recognize us by how well we love. It’s who we are called to be as Christians.

Sr. Mary Ann Collins, OP