LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Acts 14:21-27
Responsorial psalm: Ps 144(145):8-13
Second reading: Apocalypse 21:1-5
Gospel: John 13:31-35
Link to readings
As this year’s beautiful season of Easter draws to a close, we are guided to remain focused on Jesus’ central commandment to his followers: ‘Love’. We are loved, forgiven and transformed sinners; called, commanded and commissioned to love others; graced and grounded in the love that has been poured out for us.
This love inspired the Early Church to spread the Good News of Jesus’s life, death and Resurrection throughout Asia Minor (present-day Turkey and Syria). Paul and Barnabas supported and appointed leaders to keep the flame of God’s love alive in these early church communities (First Reading).
Beautiful prophetic visions attributed to St John, writing from the same area, describe how lovingly God is wedded to us. He has chosen to dwell amongst us and is making all things new in this love (Second Reading). Today’s Gospel proclaims a simple, joyful central message. Jesus gives his followers, gives us, a ‘new commandment’: “Love one another, as I have loved you”.
The Psalm for this Sunday joyfully celebrates life graced by our God of compassion and love. God’s compassion is for all creatures, and his everlasting kingdom is rooted in love. This overflowing banquet of love is the source and sustenance of our hope as we journey onwards as Pilgrims of Hope. Let us pray in this Jubilee Year that we will be inspired to care for each other and for all creation with compassion and love, strengthened by Jesus’s love for us.
SECOND READING
Revelation 21: 1–5a
I John saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the seas was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold the dwelling place of God is with people. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’
REFLECTION
God is with me in this moment, more than I can ever imagine. I invite my mind to slow down and let go of any distractions, so that I may be better aware of the loving presence of God within and around me. Once I have become still, I dwell for a moment on God’s life-giving presence deep within me.
I read the word of God slowly and prayerfully, as many times as I need to. Each time I listen for what God is saying to me during this time of prayer. Perhaps there is a particular phrase or image that I am drawn to. I allow this to become the centre of my prayer. What words, phrases or feelings do I notice as I pray?
Does the imagery of this vision encourage . . . challenge . . . or perhaps leave me feeling indifferent? If I have recently experienced a loss, some disappointment, or am struggling with pain or illness, what words of consolation do I need to hear? I imagine being in the presence of Jesus; loving and accepting me just as I am, holding all that I need him to hold for me. In silence I allow myself to be gazed upon with compassion and love.
I share my feelings and all that has arisen during this time of prayer with Jesus. I pray the last line of the scripture with my name inserted: ‘Behold, I am making you, [my name], new’. I close my prayer with ‘Glory be to the Father . . .’
GOSPEL
John 13: 31–33a. 34–35
When Judas had gone out from the upper room, 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 glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’
REFLECTION
I come to my place and time of prayer, and take my time to settle and become still. Wherever I choose to pray, be it in the quiet of my home, before a candle or an icon, or outside surrounded by nature . . . or perhaps even in a busy place in the presence of many others, I focus on the rhythm of my breath, the breath that brings me life. I allow this to gradually quieten my mind and body, and so become still before the Lord. I read the Gospel text prayerfully. What do I notice on my first reading?
I recall how this short text focuses on Jesus’s final teaching to his disciples: he has lovingly washed their feet; he has shared an intimate meal with them (the last before his Resurrection). I read the passage again. This time I imagine being present at the Last Supper, seated around the table with Jesus. Using all my senses, I explore the Gospel scene as it unfolds before me.
How do I feel when I hear Jesus refer to me as a ‘little child’ . . . but then he states that he is not with me for very long? Then I listen deeply to his ‘new commandment’. I read the passage once more, this time imagining that Jesus is meeting with my church, my worshipping community or perhaps with my Prego or prayer group. I imagine him looking upon us with love and saying: ‘Love one another as I have loved you’.
How have I experienced the love of Jesus in my life? Am I able to love others, even the people that I find hard to like, in the way that I have felt loved by God? Knowing that I can do nothing by my own efforts, I ask Jesus for whatever grace I need to be able to remain true to his commandment. I close my prayer by praying with Jesus, ‘Our Father . . .’
Courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham, UK