6th Sunday of Easter | Sunday 22 May 2022

Today is Sunday the 22nd of May, beginning the sixth week of Easter.

The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord, To him be highest glory and praise for ever. Wherever it is you are right now, what works of the Lord can you see? Perhaps the sky, the clouds? Perhaps hills or fields, or a horse or a dog, or a tree? Perhaps it’s just the inside of a bus that you can see? Perhaps another human being. Can you imagine all these things, the works of the Lord, praising God, their creator, now? And can you do the same yourself?
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Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.
John 13:31-35
When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

In today’s reading, Jesus speaks about the Son of Man being glorified. How do you imagine this happening? What events come to mind?
He addresses his disciples as ‘little children’ suggesting loving tenderness and care for them, at a time when things are going to be difficult to understand.
How do you feel about being a ‘little child’ in the presence of God? Try putting yourself in this place for a moment…

As you listen to the reading again, notice how Jesus prepares his children, for this time when he will no longer be with them.
‘Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another,’ Jesus tells them.
Reflect on how this commandment is fulfilled in your life. How do you give and receive the love of the Lord from and through others?
Offer these thoughts to the Lord in prayer.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.