5th Sunday of Easter
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 14:21-27
After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." They appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-5
Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away." The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new."
Gospel Reading: John 13:31-35
When Judas had left, 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 he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
God is glorified in the Son of Man. Glory of the Son of Man is the glory of God. This will also be true for everyman. God will be glorified in everyone. So every human being also should be glorified. Jesus made this statement when Judas left to betray Jesus and thus begin the crucifixion and death and resurrection of Jesus. When everyone is glorified in his personal paschal celebration then he is glorified and through him god is glorified.
The disciples should practice the commandment of love while they are on this earth. This is the only identity for the disciples. They should not try to reach the place where he has gone because they will not be able to reach. Instead they should try to be his disciples where ever they are. Being a disciple of love is far greater than trying to reach the place where Jesus is.
The disciples should practice the commandment of love while they are on this earth. This is the only identity for the disciples. They should not try to reach the place where he has gone because they will not be able to reach. Instead they should try to be his disciples where ever they are. Being a disciple of love is far greater than trying to reach the place where Jesus is.
