6th Sunday of Easter - A

Commentary

John 14: 15 – 21

Jesus’ Commandments

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Often, we might think where there is a sense of obligation, there is no love.

And sometimes, God’s commandments are thought to be obligations or burdens, things that God “makes” us do.

That is not the case.

Both God’s commandments, given to Moses, and the new Law, given by Jesus, form God’s way of love.  By observing God’s way, we grow in love.  God’s life actually grows in us when we live God’s love. 

As Jesus continues speaking with his disciples during the Last Supper, later on, he will specify his commandment: “This is my commandment, that you love one another.” (15:12)

And earlier, he gives us both the reason and the manner of this love,  “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (13:15).  He has loved us first.  Therefore, and in the same manner, we are to love.

Thus, the commandments here are not given as obligations, but as the gift and the way of love. 

6th Sunday of Easter - A (May 25, 2014)

Readings 

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5th Sunday of Easter - A

Commentary

John 14: 1 – 12

“That Will Be Enough for Us”

Philip makes the request “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” because he has not fully grasped the identity of Jesus. 

While Philip’s understanding is lacking, his heart is in the right place.  The desire of his life is to know God.

Is my heart ready to say to God, as Philip did, “you will be enough for me”?

5th Sunday of Easter - A (May 18, 2014)

Readings

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4th Sunday of Easter - A

Commentary

John 10: 1-10

That They Might Have Life

“I come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

With Jesus, we have salvation (“Whoever enters through me will be saved”).  And Jesus leads us to pasture. [1]

Thus, the crucified and risen Christ gives those who follow Him abundant life.

The questions are, “Why do I still allow myself to be led by others?” and “Will I help others to recognize the gift of abundant life that only Jesus Christ gives us?”

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[1] Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B.  The Gospel of John.  Sacra Pagina Series.  Collegeville, MN, 1998; p. 303.

4th Sunday of Easter - A (May 11, 2014)

Readings

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3rd Sunday of Easter - A

Commentary

Luke 24: 13 – 35

Christ Walking with Us

The Risen Lord comes and walks with the two disciples as a companion on the journey, while they have lost hope, “looking downcast,” and could not see clearly.

He has spoken to them through their companions, “some of the women in [their] group” and some of the others.

He now speaks to them directly, breaking open Scriptures to them, and setting their hearts on fire.  Of this experience, they later recall, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

At their invitation, the Risen Christ then shares with them a meal, during which he repeats his action at the Last Supper.  And “with that, their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”

Let us look into our own journey, spend some time to find the Risen Christ who continues to walk, to speak, and to share a meal with us.

3rd Sunday of Easter - A (May 4, 2014)

Readings

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