FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
19 MAY 2019
In
his account of the Last Supper, Saint John presents an incredible irony. One of his closest followers leaves the room
to betray him to those who will condemn him to death. And yet, at that dark moment, Jesus says
five times that he is being glorified.
He will be lifted up on the cross to die a painful and shameful
death. He will be lifted up from the
dead, give the Holy Spirit to his disciples, and be lifted back to the right
hand of the Father, where he had dwelt before his Incarnation. This process of being glorified will reveal
the Mystery of Jesus and clarify his identity as Son of God and Son of
Man. It will also reveal his purpose: to give his life totally out of love for us.
At that
meal, Jesus had showed his disciples a symbol of how he wants us to love. Like a humble servant, he knelt and washed
their feet. In giving his life on the
cross, he shows us what his new commandment looks like. We share in his glory when we commit
ourselves to loving each other as he has loved us. It is the glory of a humble servant, and not
the glory of someone bringing attention and acclaim to himself.
As we
continue to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection, this Eucharist strengthens us to
live his command in our daily lives. As
disciples, we are called to be faithful stewards. Stewardship of service is a structured way of
loving as Jesus has loved us. Please
read the materials we send as an invitation to give humble service to the
parish. If you made a commitment to
serve in a specific way last year, you can either renew that commitment or
change it. If you have not been able to
make a commitment, please take a hard look at the needs of the parish and make
a commitment to use your gifts to serve one of those needs for one year.
You would
expect me to say these things. Please
listen to Christian Davey, as he tells his story of becoming more involved in
the life of the parish. His service may
not have brought glory and honor to himself, but he has shared the Lord’s glory
in the ways he has served.
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