Word to the Wise
Thursday, May 23, 2019 - 5th Week of Easter - Thurs
[Acts 15:7-21 and John 15:9-11]"As the Father loves me, I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete." [John]
The Gospel According to John was the last of the four gospels to be put into writing. The evangelist and the community for whom he was writing (along with others who contributed) were active nearly 60 years after Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection. The Last Supper discourses show their reflection on the words of Jesus and the traditions that were handed down to them. The intertwining themes stand out even when they seem to defy organization.
First, there is the relationship of Jesus to his Father, the One who sent him. He shares this relationship with us through our faith in him as the One whom God has sent. Secondly, he is preparing his disciples for the task of carrying on his mission after his death and resurrection. They must be people who have the joy of Christ to share with others. Later on in this 15th chapter, he will speak to the challenges to this mission. For now, we can take it as assured that Jesus wants us to share the very life he has received and that in believing this, we may have peace and joy! AMEN