Walking with Jesus: Fifth Sunday of Easter C
For Sunday, May 18, 2025
Acts 14:21-27, Revelation 21:1-5, John 13:31-35
Jesus formed a new community — and in this new community there is a new law of love. There is a new heaven and earth that are established in the Church. We are new … we are different … and a new glory of God shines forth in its members. So much of the Acts of the Apostles sheds light on this community and it is in Antioch that they are known as Christians. What is different about these Christians? Tertullian, one of the early Christian theologians, would remark, “look at these Christians and how much love they have for one another.” Do we see this? Are we doing this? Does the mark that lives in us — God’s love seen through each of us — show in our lives? Is this our question or is that our statement? Lord God: Help us!
Sociologists tell us that no society can survive without tolerance … no society can continue to grow and survive without mutual respect. Jesus demanded these tenets with an overriding abundance of self-sacrificing love. It is one thing to avoid pleading eyes because the face is a different color or the hair has a different texture — but the commandment to love is something completely different. God loves you and me all the time, every moment. I — and you — are always loved. I am loved so that I can love. This new commandment, established in the church, is the law of the new heaven and the new earth.
So what does this new Church look like?
Standards are different.
- The greater ones serve … the children are cherished rather than ignored.
- The ignored ... those who are disabled ... are cared for rather than discarded.
- Women and men are equally respected … all nations and tongues are welcomed.
This is the City of God.
- It is a city that embraces all who come to it … a city beloved by God ... where God’s glory is seen throughout … and Christ is seen in a new way … through us as much as for us.
- Is this my City? Am I working for this City? Am I loving all in the City? Am I letting them love me?
Luke is sharing the first three of St. Paul’s missionary journeys, this time with St. Barnabas while they are in Antioch. They have had great success returning to communities where they already preached and baptized, and now they're establishing administrative structures not unlike those found in synagogues in these new, fledging “churches.” Luke and Paul continually credit God for their successes. It is through Paul that an opportunity to believe in salvation through Jesus has been opened for the Gentiles. Do I realize that others look to each of us to share our faith and love of God every day?
John’s final vision of a new heaven and new earth anticipates the transformation of the created world: God’s final plan has been rehashed. God’s glory is revealed in Jesus, specifically His death on the Cross. So are each of us His witnesses? Jesus died for you and me to show God’s love and His constant presence in leading everyone to heaven. I have a role — you have a role — all things have been made new — God’s love is finalized.
The departure of Judas at the Last Supper has set into motion Jesus’ arrest, trial, and execution. There is no going back; the events of our salvation are beginning. Jesus is really being lifted up in ignominy and glory, and His surrender, death, resurrection and exaltation are all one event. God loves us, here and now. His love is totally visible in Jesus. The command to love was given long ago: “Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your own people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” [Leviticus 19:18]
So I reflect on:
- We are in the middle of the Easter season. Some people among us may not be feeling Resurrection joy. Do I see them? Am I loving them or am I too involved in myself?
Sacred Space 2025 states:
“The time is approaching for Jesus to finish His mission on earth and return to the Father who sent Him. His apostles remain behind but they will follow Him later. His final instruction to them is that they should love one another just as He has loved them. This will be how Christians are to be recognized in the future. If we were to be on trial as Christians, would we be convicted on this score?”
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