5th Sunday of Easter C
Readings: Acts 14:21‑27 Revelation 21:1‑5 John 13:31‑35
"See I make all things new!" (Rev 21:5) As nature struggles to new birth in the spring, we continue to celebrate Easter in joyful hope for the triumph of Jesus' new commandment of love. In the midst of our trails as Jesus' disciples, let us sing with hope the psalm response: "I will praise your name forever, my King and my God" (Ps 145).
Luke's account of the conclusion of Paul's first missionary journey in Acts highlights both the need for perseverance in faith and joyful hope for the successful spread of the Gospel. As Paul and Barnabas retrace their steps through Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch, they encourage their disciples with this admonition: “We must undergo many trials if we are to enter into the reign of God.” To ensure the survival of these churches they install elders and, "with prayers and fasting," commend them to the Lord. Their journey ends on a note of grateful confidence. After their return to the base community at Syrian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas recount "all that God had helped them to accomplish, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles."
Every image of John's vision in the second reading is meant to console the churches who are undergoing "many trials" for their faith. In contrast to the chaos and terror that haunt the visions of the beasts and the harlot Babylon (see Rev 12‑13, 17‑19), this concluding revelation is marked by serenity and consolation. "A new heavens and a new earth" appear, as the old corrupted heavens and earth and chaotic sea pass away. The blood‑thirsty harlot Babylon is replaced by a new Jerusalem, the holy city, which descends from heaven, "beautiful as a bride prepared to meet her husband." God's new world order will fulfill the saints' longing for God and victory over evil. A voice cries out from the throne:
"This is God's dwelling among men. He shall dwell
with them and they shall be His people, and He
shall be their God who is always with them. He
shall wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall
be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain,
for the former world has passed away." (Rev 21:3‑4)
This Sunday's Gospel from Jesus' farewell discourse in John also is filled with hope for God's glory in the midst of suffering. In the darkest hour of night as Judas departs to betray him (John 13:30), Jesus speaks of his Father's imminent glorification of him through his cross and resurrection: “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.” For the disciples Jesus' departure means that they are to continue to manifest God's love by loving one another as Jesus has loved them. “I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other” (John 13:34). The only authentic sign of Easter faith and hope is the living of this command. “This is how all will know you for my disciples: your love for one another” (John 13:35).
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