By Fr. Andrew Kelly
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – APRIL 28
It is a Sunday of Easter. The Gospel passage proclaimed (John 13:31-33a, 34-35) is bracketed between Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial. The chapter began with Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet.
This is the moment Jesus departs to the Father. By being lifted up on the cross Jesus is revealing the full splendor and glory of the Father’s love for the world.
Betrayal and denial cannot stop Jesus from revealing God’s profound love.
Jesus has a new commandment: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
Jesus loved by washing feet and being lifted up in unconditional self-emptying love. When the community washes feet and loves with unconditional, self-emptying love, the community loves as Jesus has loved.
Betrayal and denial may be alive and well within the community. But that cannot stop the community from loving as Jesus has loved. The love is founded and grounded on the power of Jesus’ divine love as revealed on the cross.
The world knows it is Easter because the community loves as Jesus loved. As Jesus said:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for April 28 to May 5
Sunday
Acts 14:21-27
Rev 21:1-5a
Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35
Monday
Acts 14:5-18
Jn 14:21-26
Tuesday
Acts 14:19-28
Jn 14:27-31a
Wednesday
Acts 15:1-6
Jn 15:1-8
Thursday
Acts 15:7-21
Jn 15:9-11
Friday
1 Cor 15:1-8
Jn 14:6-14
Saturday
Acts 16:1-10
Jn 15:18-21
Sunday
Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Rev 21:10-14, 22-23
Jn 14:23-29
