5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER: LOVING LIKE JESUS.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, attending to people after Pope Francis' funeral.

After the funeral mass for Pope Francis at St. Peter's Square on April 26th, the cardinals and other celebrants processed through the back to continue with the ceremonies for the pope's burial. Only one cardinal came out through the central aisle of the Vatican Square. I wasn't sure if Cardinal John Onaiyekan knew what he was walking into, but I was later told that such was typical of the retired cardinal, emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria. The crowd besieged this prince of the church. People from across the globe wanted his blessing. His approach was compelling. He stopped for everyone, touched everyone, and laughed with everyone. Cardinal Onaiyekan had over one hundred photos with different groups of people. We, the priests, were humbled by his legacy of love as we waited unending for him. His sense of availability to the various individuals who needed to have just a feel of what it was to get close to a cardinal showed exemplary character. Maybe that was all they needed, and the cardinal knew it. What does this mean in the context of the words of Christ, "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.”

Today’s gospel highlights one of the passages that could make us see Jesus as a motivational speaker. Although Jesus qualifies as the most beautiful, eloquent, and charismatic speaker, He is much more than a motivational speaker. Jesus is God, the Word made flesh. Through him we live and have our being. The richness of John’s theology captures the depth of the incarnate love of God made visible in Christ. Hence, two things happen in this short passage: Jesus announces his departure. Then, he issues the love code, characteristic of the last discourse in John Ch. 13. Jesus says to his disciples, “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, you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34-35). This is typical of what a parent should say to his/her children at their deathbed. Such words leave strong memories for those who hear them. That is how strong Jesus wants us to love.

Before he speaks to them, John highlights that Judas had left at the time of Jesus’ speech. That presents the imminence of death by which Jesus would fulfill his mission. Jesus intensely discusses his glory, reminding his disciples of the significance of his sacrifice on the cross. His death is a sign of his love for humanity. He washes his disciples' feet as their servant-leader and mandates them to do the same. The mission of Jesus is centered on love fulfilled in acts of sacrifice.  

The second part of the discourse uncovers Jesus’ revelation of his glory. The word “glory” appears five times in this gospel (Jn. 13:31-33, 34-35) while the word “love” appears four times. Here, the power of Christ’s love shows the Father's glory. And through his sacrificial death, he initiates us into the glory of God. Here we recall the power of the Eucharist. Jesus takes the bread and the wine at the Last Supper and offers it to his disciples with the words, “Do this in remembrance of me.” At this same Last Supper, he speaks to them, “As I have loved you, so you should love one another.” Christ is a Savior, not just a moral teacher. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  The more we love him in the Blessed Eucharist, the more we are drawn into his love for others.​

The expression, “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another,” presents both a demand and a model of life. It invites us to appreciate the beauty of things around us. How can we capture the power of love as Jesus demands? Reflecting on the life of St. Therese of Lisieux, Mac Foley noted that God’s love is communicated in the beauty of realities around us. Therese would reflect on the beauty of the Alps (some of the highest and most extensive mountain ranges in Europe) to restore her perspective on life. Foley insists, “The essential question we must ask is whether it helps us to love. The Beautiful cannot be divorced from the True and the Good; they are three inseparable attributes of God. Thus, Infinite Beauty mirrored in creation beckons us, as it did Therese, to choose that which is True and Good” (The Context of Holiness, p.31). Now you see why Christ is not just a motivational speaker. He is Infinite Beauty, “the Way, Truth, and Life” who invites us into his love.

Love has a unique character, which is sacrifice. Whether in church, family, politics, or at work, love must be of service to others. Jesus left us an example in the Bible. He was consistent in relating with and in treating everyone, “that all may have life in full.” To the needy, the sick, the oppressed, the possessed, the marginalized, widows, and orphans. He was consistent in showing mercy and sacrificed himself for humanity.

“As I have loved you,” demands that we open our eyes to the needs of others. That we stretch out our hands to those around us. Right from the members of our families, our husbands and wives, friends, and work colleagues. As we are out shopping. As we respond to others on social media or speak to someone on the phone. As we drop our children off at school. As we drive on the road. As we care for sick or elderly persons in the hospital, rehab, or at Assisted Living. We carry with us the eucharistic heart of Jesus. Let us remind ourselves, “I have to love like Jesus.” The new commandment of love can only make sense if we practice it. It is about being an inspiration and drawing others to the love of Christ.

Readings: 1st- Acts 14:21-27; 2nd- Rev. 21:1-5; Gospel- Jn. 13:31-33, 34-35