FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - YEAR C - Gospel (John 13:31-33a, 34-35) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- May 19
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Acts 14:21-27
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news
to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God.”
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they 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 now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
SECOND READING from the Book of Revelation - Rev 21:1-5a
Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
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.”
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35
From the Gospel according to John
When Judas had left them, 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 God 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.”
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - YEAR C - Gospel (John 13:31-33a. 34-35)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
The Word of God for today recounts that at the Last Supper, when Judas had just left the table, Jesus said to His disciples: "Now is the Son of Man glorified."
He was referring to the death He was about to suffer — being hung on the cross. It was His death on the cross that became the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity; and through this death, God the Father was glorified. That glorification was the glorification of the love with which God the Father looked upon humanity, and the glorification of Jesus Christ, who obeyed God the Father and died on the cross.
Through that glorification, Jesus revealed that God the Father and Jesus Christ are one — one God with one love for humanity. There is no second God. When Jesus Christ was crucified, when He suffered pain and humiliation on the cross, the image of God the Father in Jesus was also crucified and humiliated, because God the Father is in God the Son, and the Son is in the Father — united as one.
When we look at the cross, we see the love of God made visible — a shining example for His disciples to follow: live with love, live in love. It is by this sign of love that people will recognize someone as a disciple of Jesus Christ, our God. Only in God do people find eternal, joyful life. But before being welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, we must undergo difficult and challenging trials, just like Paul and Barnabas, disciples of God. To enter His Kingdom, we must become like Jesus Christ: we must face difficulties, sufferings, and humiliation, and we must carry our own cross up to Calvary alongside Him.
Therefore, all those to whom God has given a cross — do not throw it away. Do not reject it. Do not ask God to spare you from pain, humiliation, or thirst; because it is only through the cross that a person can enter the Kingdom of Heaven with God the Father.
What is the Kingdom of Heaven like? The image of the Kingdom of Heaven, which God revealed to John as a vision of the future, is the day of the Lord’s second coming to save humanity. Those who are worthy to enter the Kingdom of God will be freed from all suffering, darkness, humiliation, weeping, and lamentation. God will give them a life of joy with God the Father — a wonderfully happy life! While we are still on this earth, no one can fully imagine how glorious it will be to live in the presence of God the Father.
God loves humanity, so He foretells all these things. Therefore, let us obey, trust, and listen to His teachings, and follow Him faithfully to the end — so that when He calls us home, we may joyfully enter the House of God the Father, where He reigns.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Comments