Word to the Wise
Sunday, May 15, 2022 - 5th Sunday of Easter - C
[Acts 14:21-27; Rev 21:1-5a; John 13:31-33a, 34-35]"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 away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away." [Revelation] "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." [John]
I once had a poster in my office at one of the campus ministries I served. It said, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Jesus' words about a "new commandment" challenge us to love one another as he has loved us!! He speaks these words right after he has washed the feet of his disciples! After the Last Supper, he would give an even greater example in his suffering, death and resurrection!
The Book of Revelation today assures us of God's continual dwelling with the human race. How does this happen? Those tears are not wiped away by magic, but by the love we have for one another. God is made visible in our love for one another, especially for those mentioned in Matthew 25:31-45: the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, the stranger. This is the evidence that the poster is speaking about. There is also evidence in the everyday way we treat one another. I have always loved the image of God "wiping away every tear from their eyes" since I have had to do that often in my ministry, especially with college students, but any parent or close friend can testify to the gesture. Jesus has led the way and invites us to follow. Are we afraid of being arrested for doing that? AMEN