You are my disciples, if you have love for one another
may 18, 2025 | fifth sunday of easter, Year C
Acts 14:21-27; Psalm 145: Revelation 21:1-5A; John 13:31-33A, 34-35
Dear brothers and sisters, on this 5th Sunday we read from the farewell discourse of Jesus in the Gospel of John, where Jesus reminds us of love as the testament that he gives us. “In this they will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. Jesus entrusts us the responsibility to manifest to the world our identity. Love defines us as Christians.
Love is a mark of our Christian identity.
Pope Francis reminded us that the aim of the Church is to proclaim Jesus Christ, whose life was a life of self-giving love. St. Luke tells us that “He went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). In the first reading from the Book of Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas revisited cities to bring the Good news of love to all Jews and non-Jews. Discipleship is characterized by perseverance and joyful dependence on God‘s grace even in times of adversity and hardship. To be a Christian is to live by love, Such a love conquers all things, endures all things and that never fails (Cf. 1 Corinthians 13). To be with God is the ultimate purpose of love for “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Our identity is love and our love for others should help them to glorify God. Jesus himself said: “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” Keep loving in order to bring others to heaven. Heaven is the aim of love.
Encourage others to love by your way of life
In John 13:34, Jesus instructs us to love one another. Showing love by example is the beginning of a new heaven, a new earth. It is love that makes all things new. Love creates new relationships, new families where forgiveness conquers hatred; where peace conquers violence in all its forms; where the power of the gospel transcends our failures, our sadness, our griefs and our deaths into the new life of the resurrection. We need to build a society where the love of Christ is our way of life. “ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35) By fostering such a culture of love, we destroy any other culture that is distancing us from God and from one another. “Behold, I make all things new”. (Rev. 21:5A) Being Christ’s disciples is to accept this newness of life as the apostles did went Jesus called them (Mt. 4:18-22); as Zacheaus did (Luke 19:1-10), as Paul did (Acts 9; Acts 22; Acts 26), as Mary Magdalene did (Luke 8:1-3). Love is the key to peaceful and harmonious communities. Love calls us to be imitators of Christ! Theresa of the Child Jesus invites us to do this through her “little way”, which is doing everyday small actions motivated by love.
Jesus I trust in you
Happy Sunday!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC
Living the Gospel this week. Supporting Each Other in Love - “Working together”
On this 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C, we hear that, Paul and Barnabas called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. This reminds us of the importance of supporting each other in our faith journeys. The early Church, as seen in Acts, shows us how believers helped one another. This support was crucial in building a strong and united community of believers.
Stewardship: How can I help build up a strong and united community in my Parish? Think of your talents, your time, your treasure.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC