Fifth Sunday of Easter
Call to worship
The Easter season calls us to understand the new creation — the mutual union of God’s love with human love — a force that becomes more real every day for those who have faith and hope. Loving is the only way to show God’s glory.
- To the point: Jesus’ new commandment is, “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” The nature of our love as disciples is specific, singular and incomparable. We are to love to the extent and in the manner Jesus loved. Our love is to be the self-sacrificing love of Jesus. It is this kind of love which brings Jesus glory. It is this kind of love which brings God glory. It is this kind of love which enables us to share in that same glory.
- Connecting the Gospel (John 13:31-35) to the second reading: When we live Jesus’ new commandment of love, the results are dramatic: “a new heaven and a new earth,” “new Jerusalem,” indeed, “all things new”. This is the reality we must believe we are becoming every day of our lives.
- Connecting the Gospel to experience: We are keen on underscoring obligation—we must “love one another.” This is only possible because of the power and grace that come from our first being loved by God.
Centering prayers
The Gospel
(John 13: 31-33a, 34,35)
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
Christ, let us live out your “one thing necessary:”
the treasure of having and giving your love.
Not fair-weather love, not hearts-and-flowers,
but your own radical no-limits kind.
Make us yours, giving all we have:
all our wealth, our body and blood,
our heart and soul, hands and feet,
our precious time.
Show us that the one thing necessary
is to accept and to give your love.
The First Reading
(Acts 14: 21-27)
Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the good news to that city.
Paul and Barnabas roamed through the lands
as they spread the Good News.
Lord, send us too. Open your doors.
What we do, where we go,
what we say, let it be us
proclaiming your love.
Let us open the doors of faith
for all who want to come in.
The Second Reading
(Revelation 21: 1-5a)
Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
Jesus, we need you to be close to us,
to walk right with us always,
on rocky roads, or flowery paths,
in dark or light.
You dwell with us and we are yours.
Wipe away the Ukrainians’ tears.
Breathe on us again and
inspire us to fix our planet and our biases.
Let us help as you make all things new.
Copyright © 2022, Anne M. Osdieck
Music for reflection