The Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C
Taken from Gazing on the Gospels year c
Description
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 13.31-35
Gaze on the supper table. The meal is over, the table strewn with crumbs, the cups empty of wine, and the plates greasy. The feast is finished and the disciples are tired. They are all anxious after they have been warned of betrayal, and confused by Judas’ rapid departure. Surely now is the time to go home? But gaze on Jesus. He has so much still to tell them, and he is only just getting into his stride! In John’s Gospel we find Jesus embarking on a speech that lasts for another five chapters. Listen to Jesus talk of the glory of the Father and the gift of the Spirit and the imperative of love that this holds for us all. For everything is summed up in two short verses: ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (vv. 34 and 35, adapted)...