Texts taken from the booklet “On Your Word” May-June 2022

Fifth Sunday of Easter (C)
1st week of the Psalter

FIRST READING

From the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:21b-27)
In those days, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations.” They appointed elders for them in each Church and, after praying and fasting, entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they crossed Pisidia, reached Pamphylia and, after proclaiming the Word in Perga, 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 accomplished. Upon arriving, they gathered the Church and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. The Word of the Lord.

Commentary on the First Reading

This Sunday too, we are invited to meditate on the central event of our faith: the resurrection of Christ and its consequences. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells us about the conclusion of the first missionary journey undertaken by Paul and Barnabas. Their work of evangelization causes the Gospel to spread ever more deeply among the Gentiles, opening to them “the door of faith.” In addition to preaching the Gospel where it is not yet known, the two apostles return to the earliest Christian communities to confirm and strengthen their faith. Paul and Barnabas appoint leaders who, in their absence, guide the community and invite the faithful to remain firm in the faith. One reason for the weakening of faith may be found in the pressure of the outside world. Hence the reminder: “We must enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations.” Christian life does not eliminate trials; indeed, this is an experience that sooner or later presents itself. It is trust in the Lord that enables us to move forward and opens new doors and paths. What is required of us is courageous and free readiness.

SECOND READING

From the Book of Revelation of Saint John the Apostle (Rev 21:1-5a )
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I then heard a loud voice coming from the throne saying: “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race! He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples, 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.” The Word of the Lord.

Commentary on the Second Reading

It is truly comforting that in the last book of the Bible, Revelation, the fact that in the world to come God will wipe away every tear is affirmed twice. The earth and heaven we know today will end and make way for a new heaven and a new earth, free from evil and sin. In particular, the elimination of the sea is emphasized because it is often considered a symbol of the evil powers opposed to God. Many times we would like God to prevent tribulation, suffering, injustice, illness, and death, but life on this earth, among other things, also consists of tears. We know, in fact, that Christ is God’s embrace awaiting us at the end, but that even now he accompanies and comforts us along the way. God knows that life can be very difficult. God knows all the tears you have shed, but he has also promised you that one day he will wipe them from your eyes. Let us await together the day when this will happen and, in the meantime, along our journey, let us comfort one another. It will be beautiful to discover at that moment that nothing has been lost, nothing, not even a tear.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John (Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35)
When Judas had left [the upper room], 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 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.” – The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the Day

In the upper room, the apostles do not understand the drama that will soon unfold concerning their Master. Jesus wants to prepare them and protect them; he knows their fragility, and so he leaves them his testament. A new commandment that transcends time and space and reaches us today as well: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus sets no conditions; he asks that whoever is his friend know how to love as he loves. The “as” is not merely a term of comparison; we can also interpret it this way: because I have loved you, you too must love. Yes, because our love does not arise from a simple act of good will, but from recognizing that Jesus loves us and has given himself completely for us. His freely given love asks us to be able to live with others with that same generosity. Every brother and sister then becomes an image of Christ. With these words, the risen Jesus tells believers that, while awaiting his definitive coming, he desires to be loved and served in the person of his brothers and sisters, especially the poorest, the weakest, and those in difficulty. I was hungry, I was thirsty, I was naked, I was a stranger, I was ill, I was in prison: none of us is so small or so poor that we cannot care for our brother or sister.