C: 5th Sun of Easter (19 May 2019) - ALL SET UP TO LOVE (Jn 13:31-35)

There is a significant wisdom in the order of the Sunday readings this Easter Season. Let us recall them and the messages they brought along:

1. First Sunday (Jn 20:1-9) is the Resurrection of Jesus, opening the doors for his disciples to believe in him (Faith).

2. Second Sunday (Jn 20:19-31) is the Divine Mercy Sunday highlighting the conversion and faith of Thomas serving as the quintessential characteristics of disciples (Mercy).

3. Third Sunday (Jn 21:1-19) is the mandate given by Jesus to Peter to take care of his sheep resulting from his confession of love (Care).

4. Fourth Sunday (Jn 10:27-30) is the Good Shepherd Sunday where Jesus portrayed himself as the shepherd who would protect his flock at all cost (Dedication).

What we notice in the thematic trajectory of these readings is that they all deal on God’s expression of love. It embarked with his resurrection-appearance to his disciples (1st Sun), bringing the message of peace, forgiveness and mercy (2nd Sun). He, subsequently, entrusted them—with Peter as representative—to take care of God’s fold (3rd Sun), being dedicated to it even in trying times (4th Sun). Still, in all of these episodes Jesus was still with his disciples.

Now, in our gospel, he anticipates his impending departure: “Little children, I am with you only a little longer” (Jn 13:33). Noteworthy here is the appellation “little children” appearing as “teknia” in Greek. All its seven biblical occurrences are situated only in Johannine passages, viz., Jn 13:33, 1 Jn 2:1, 12, 28; 3:18; 4:4; 5:21. Appearing only in the vocative case (i.e., direct address), this term is more likely to be a reference to “spiritual children” addressed to by their spiritual father (cf. BDAG) who shows some endearment in his communication. Indeed, Jesus cordially instructed his disciples to “love one another” twice (vv. 34, 35) while emphasizing the fact that he is indeed leaving. What this scenario reminds us of are ordinary incidents today when someone dies. The dying person gathers all of his/her relatives, looks at them straight into their eyes while calmly addressing them with a heart-piercing directive that they ought to take care of one another and that his/her death should never devastate their lives. After having assured them that they have been loved for the past several decades, he/she dies peacefully.

The Fifth Sunday (Jn 13:31-35) is an exposition of the commandment of loving one another (Unifying Love). This command is hinged on the divine assurance that God loves and takes care of us. But now, he passes the baton to all of us: it is now we who should initiate on giving out this love to everyone. After having learned a lot from God’s way of loving, we are well-equipped with a standard and example on what and how to do it. Ironically, despite all of these resources—Biblical Stories, Ten Commandments, Doctrines of Faith, Pastoral Exhortations, include even the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and National Constitutions—our world today appears to act otherwise. Much hatred, hostility and even violence are felt, not only against outgroups, but even within ingroups. It gets sadder each day to read the daily news only to find out that love is not sown, but anger, competition and division instead.

While the morality of the world continues to plummet, we are reminded by Jesus that we are his “teknia”. A true dedicated son/daughter to a departed parent will definitely live his/her wishes at all cost, even if the world does not agree with them. Similarly, if we truly love God our father, we will practice loving one another no matter what… bearing in mind the biblical words: “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action” (1 Jn 3:18).

- Rex Fortes, CM