We have come to the last Sunday of the Easter season. It has been a time of slowly allowing space for the reality of the
Resurrection of Jesus to soak in. Time to contemplate a variety of encounters with the risen Jesus that the disciples experienced and, even more importantly, to seek to recognise the risen one in our daily lives.
We now
begin to prepare for the Ascension and then for Pentecost. The Gospel text from this past Sunday is taken from the “farewell discourse” in John’s Gospel. These are significant things for us to remember and treasure. Even if Jesus didn’t speak these words in exactly this way (John’s Gospel was written some 60-70 years after the death of Jesus), they are the things the believing community recall as his final legacy.
You may have been at the bedside of a parent or mentor and wanted to etch their last words indelibly into your heart and spirit. When time is running out, no words are wasted. What is it that is most important to remember? What would you want your final message to be?
Throughout the Gospel of John, the commandment of love is emphasised, and Jesus’ final words to his closest friends and disciples emphasise love. On Holy Thursday, we re-enacted the washing of the feet as an expression of love. When we
keep the commandments of love, we remain part of the love relationship between Jesus and the Father.
Where are you feeling invited to give and receive love in your life right now?
Is anything blocking that flow of love? How can you open your heart more fully?
Reflections by Annemarie Paulin Campbell
