This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, May 19th is from John 13:31-33a, 34-35.
“Jesus said, . . . ‘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 also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’”
“To love one another on Jesus’ terms entails more than acting kindly and empathetically. This is a start, but Jesus demands more. . . . Jesus loved us so much that he suffered and died to redeem us. We are challenged to act selflessly, to put others ahead of ourselves, even when it comes to our own lives. This is the challenge Jesus gives his followers.”
Source: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2019
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Acts 14:5-18; John 14:21-26
Tuesday Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31a
Wednesday Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8
Thursday Acts 15:7-21; John 15:9-11
Friday Acts 15:22-31; John 15:12-17
Saturday Acts 16:1-10; John 15:18-21
“He Gave Himself Up ‘for Me’
Jesus gave himself up to death voluntarily in order to reciprocate the love of God the Father, in perfect union with his will, to demonstrate his love for us. On the cross Jesus ‘loved me and gave himself for me’ (Galatians 2:20). Each one of us can say: ‘He loved me and gave himself for me.’”
Source: Pope Francis Speaks to Our Hearts: Words of Challenge and Hope. Frederick: The Word Among Us Press, 2013. Print.