6th Sunday of Easter - C

Commentary

John 14: 23 – 29

God's Dwelling with Us

“Whoever loves me … we will come to him and make our dwelling with him”

These words of Jesus give us both our priviledge and our mission.

The priviledge: what once reserved to the Temple is now extended to all of those who love Jesus. They are loved by God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit now “make our dwelling” with that person.

The mission: when we love, we proclaim the loving presence of God to all.  

6th Sunday of Easter - C (May 1, 2016)

Readings

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5th Sunday of Easter - C

Commentary

John 13: 31-33a, 34-35

A Commandment and an Example

At the wedding at Cana, Jesus told his mother that his hour had not yet come.

Now, the moment marked by Judas' leaving, is the moment of Jesus' hour. [1]  This is the hour when “God is glorified.”

The climax of God's glory is not the miraculous signs [2] Jesus performs, nor his powerful preaching.

The cross is the supreme act of God's love.

The cross is not just a sign. It is the reality of God's love, the love so great that the only Son of God died a criminal death for the life and salvation of all humanity.

Such is the extent of God's love.

Having so loved us, now Jesus invites us to love one another “as I have loved you.”

And like Jesus, when we love, we glorify God.

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[1] Francis J. Moloney, SDB., The Gospel of John, Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1988; p. 385.

[2] The Gospel of John uses the word “sign” instead of “miracles” used in the other Gospels.

5th Sunday of Easter - C (April 24, 2016)

Readings

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4th Sunday of Easter - C

Commentary

John 10: 27-30

They Follow Me

The background of this passage lends significant insights to its understanding. Jesus speaks these words while he is in the Temple area during the celebration of the feast of Dedication.

This feast celebrates the rededication of the Temple in 164 BC, after the victories of the Jewish revolution led by Judas Maccabeus against gentile forces who had desecrated the Temple (1 Maccabees, Chapter 4). [1]

Prior to the Maccabean revolution, the Jews lost their nation because some of their leaders had abandoned God's ways and followed the gentile rulers.

Many Jews who were faithful to God were killed by gentile forces.

This background can help Jesus' listeners then and us today appreciate Jesus' words, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

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[1]  Francis J. Moloney, SDB., The Gospel of John, Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1988; p. 313.

4th Sunday of Easter - C (April 17, 2016)

Readings

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3rd Sunday of Easter - C

Commentary

John 21: 1- 19

Light and Darkness

While the disciples labored and caught no fish, it was night.

Jesus came to them when “it was already dawn.”

The Gospel writer seemingly wants to draw our attention to this difference in the setting of the event.

Where the Risen Christ is present, there is light.

And the success of the catch of fish at his command recalls what Jesus had said to the disciples in John 15:5, “without me you can do nothing.” [1]

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[1] Francis J. Moloney, SDB. The Gospel of the Lord, Reflections on the Gospel Readings, Year C. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1991; p. 100.

3rd Sunday of Easter - C (April 10, 2016)

Readings

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2nd Sunday of Easter - C

Commentary

John 20: 19-31

From Sinner to Forgiver, from Death to Life-giving

The Risen Christ gives the fearful disciples peace. This peace comes with His forgiveness for their failures.

Moreover, he breathes on them. At the beginning of time, God's breath brought forth life. Now, the Risen Christ's breath brings forth new life [1]. This breath bestows on the disciples the life-giving Spirit.

Now, not only do the disciples receive forgiveness and peace, they are empowered to forgive sins.

And they are sent. As Jesus was sent by the Father, so are the disciples. They are sent to forgive sins and to give life and peace.

With the power of the Holy Spirit given by the Risen Christ, sinners now forgive sins, and those who were once dead to sins now give life.

Such is the extent of God's forgiveness and mercy. God's mercy truly knows no bounds.

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[1] Francis J. Moloney, SDB., The Gospel of John, Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1988; p. 535.

2nd Sunday of Easter - C (April 3, 2016)

Readings

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