May 18, 2025

5^th Sunday of Easter (C)         

Jesus Raises the Stakes of Discipleship

Msgr Thomas Gervasio

The Gospel transports us to the evening of the Last Supper, when Judas would betray our Lord, Peter would deny him, and the other apostles would abandon him. In the midst of this greatest of tragedies, Jesus speaks of love. Did you ever wonder why Our Lord would call his command to love, “new?” In what sense can this love be “new?”

The command to love can be found in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 19:18 we read, “You shall love you neighbor as yourself.” But at the Last Supper, Jesus says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This “raises the stakes” considerably. Love for others is no longer to be measured by the love of oneself, but by Jesus’ love for us.

Of course, to love ourselves, to have a healthy drive to take care of our wants and needs is important to our overall well-being. Yet, there is a line where self-love can move from something good to something selfish, or egotistical which can be so damaging to relationships.
 
How did Jesus love us? The answer is found every time we look upon the crucifix. There we find the extent and depth of Christ’s love for us. From the cross, Jesus says, “I will love you with an everlasting love. I will be faithful to you, even when you run away from me, reject me, or betray me.” Our Lord’s response to his persecutors, to his betrayal, denial, and abandonment is a love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and forgiving. This is our standard to love. This is what is new…self-love gives way to self-donation. How are we doing with that?

Loving is not a skill with which we are born. It must be learned and practiced so we can expect to make some mistakes along the way. When we take an honest look at ourselves, could we say that our love is unconditional? Do we love with “strings attached?” Do we love others expecting something in return?
 
Could we say that our love is always sacrificial? We can be selfish. We can be lazy. We can be thoughtless, blind to the needs of others. St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love!”

Forgiveness is tough especially when we’ve have been hurt. Injustices and wrongs against us are pains that run deep and we can easily sink into the quicksand of resentment. I don’t know who first said, “Forgive and forget,” but it isn’t a realistic way to handle the task of forgiveness. I can forgive someone but forgetting may take a long time! We need time to work through the painful areas before we can heal. Prayer is a huge part of the healing process. Leave the past to the mercy of God. 

 Lord Jesus, help me to truly live your new commandment of love. My love is so often poor, weak, and far removed from all that you desire of me. Grant me the grace to love others as you have loved me. May my self-love give way to self-giving. Help me to love not only those I find lovable, but also those who lash out at me through pain, anger, disappointment, or loss. May my love, sustained by your grace, allow others to know that I am your disciple.