Love One Another
Fifth Sunday in Easter (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13: 31-33, 34-45 - 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 he 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 should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus chooses the time of His betrayal, suffering, and Death to say, “Now is the Son of Man glorified.” God is glorified in suffering and weakness. How unexpected. How beautiful. It has been said that God shows His power most greatly in His mercy. As Jesus accepts His suffering and Death in place of our suffering and death, He shows this power. Jesus did this for us. He willed our good. That is exactly what it means to love.
“As I have loved you, so you also should love one another,” Jesus commands. If we are to love others, we must desire and work for their good. Do we live for the sake of others in our home and family? Do the older and stronger pitch in for the smaller and weaker here? Do we pray for each other’s needs? Do we set aside entertainment and technology and take time to talk to each other? Do we compliment? Do we apologize? Marriage and family life are an intimate community of life and love, based on each member treating their life as a gift given for others. Our call is to love.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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