Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 10, 2026: Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21; Psalm 66:7-18
Today’s gospel starts out abruptly. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments“. It’s a somewhat daunting start. But that’s only because this is the continuation of the discussion we read last week. Both are part of Jesus’s teaching of his disciples at the Last Supper. It’s a long teaching, interrupted by questions.
Jesus starts the whole conversation (in John 13:34) with a commandment: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. Love one another.
Then last week Jesus told his followers that with God there were “many dwelling places“, room for everyone. The passage we read ends with Jesus promising that anything the disciples asked for in his name will be done.
So, “if you love me you will keep my commandments” follows a promise to the disciples. And instead of being a threat or punishment, Jesus follows it by promising that they will not be alone, but have an advocate “the Spirit of truth” “to be with you forever“. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his absence. But at the center of the words we read today is the promise that we will not be alone. “I will not leave you orphaned“. Jesus is reassuring his disciples, who are not sure what is going to happen but are Tanxious.
In addition to promising that the disciples will not be alone, Jesus focuses on love. Love one another is the start. Then we end today with a long reflection on love: They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them. Love here is a neverending circle: the people who keep my commandments love me, and if you love me you will be loved by the Father, and I will love them. Love and keeping the commandments are tied together. But that’s not a threat. That’s real.
I’m particularly aware of this because yesterday I attended my god-daughter’s wedding. At the center of any wedding are promises: we will love each other, and because of that we will care for each other and be faithful. When we love someone as much as possible we do what they ask or need. And these obligations are mutual, a critical piece in distinguishing between love and manipulation. What Jesus describes is the virtuous circle created by love.
If we think of Jesus’ teachings, the core always centers on love: what you do when you love your neighbor, how you treat those in need, how you do justice. Love.
So love one another. Love Jesus, and keep Jesus’ commandments. And remember that Jesus loves you. Be part of the virtuous circle.
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