The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

May 18, 2025 – Fifth Sunday of Easter, John 13:31-35

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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John’s gospel begins with the profound statement: “The word became flesh.” That means that in the person of Jesus the reality of God is present in human form. To see and know Jesus is to see and know God. Jesus reveals what God is like to those he lived with and those who came to know him later.

It was this idea that gave birth to the gospels. These inspired accounts of the life of Jesus are not created to provide later generations simply with historical information about a person who lived long ago. Rather, they are written to provide an example (a very important example) of how to best live on earth as God intends.

To live a true Christian life involves discerning God’s will for us through learning how Jesus lived, especially how he related to other humans during the actual events of his life. The gospels are filled not only with his words, but also with examples of how he dealt with those he met each day. For instance, we might recall the ways he related to those close to him, his friends and his immediate followers. Or with the strangers he encountered. With the rich and the poor, Jews and non-Jews he was always the same. He respected all and met their needs when appropriate.

Jesus did not create a new set of Ten Commandments. He did not author a new list of guidelines for us to enact. In fact, he left us few details about what we should do. Rather, as today’s gospel notes, he gave himself as a living example of what God expects of us. All of what he did embodied deep and abiding love and concern. He lived the kind of life God challenges all of us to live.

It was his whole life and his deep love of others that stands as his moral code. Love one another as I have loved you are words in today’s gospel. Perhaps some of the most important words in all the gospels. And the most challenging.  

So how did Jesus love? Put simply, he loved everyone and did all he could to help everyone in need. He was especially generous with those he met who were suffering or confused or persecuted or needy. It seemed that his love was without boundaries or limits. And this bothered some. For instance, recall the accusation that he ate with and befriended those labelled as sinners and outcasts. But he was not limited by what others thought. His only concern was that he could help. He gave his life for all, right to the end.

David M. Thomas, PhD