John13:31-35
Throughout the
Easter season, the Gospel readings are taken from John’s Gospel. They come from different parts of the
Gospel, different parts of Jesus’ life, but all teach us how to be Easter
people. How to live as followers
of Christ in this time after his death and resurrection.
Today’s reading
comes from near the end of Jesus’ life.
Jesus and his disciples are gathered at the last supper. Judas has just left. And, with that, those of us who know
the story know that the final sequence of events leading up to Jesus’
crucifixion have inexorably begun.
The end is near.
We may assume
that Jesus also knows that the time he has left with his disciples is
short. “Little children, I am with
you only a little longer,” he says.
So the words of
today’s Gospel are some of the last words he shares with his followers. These are words to live by after I am
gone. This is what you should do
as my disciples going forward.
Love one another
as I have loved you.
I think it’s
easy, without giving it much thought, to assume that Jesus means: “be loving
amongst yourselves.” We imagine he
is talking only about relationships between the disciples.
It seems much
more likely he meant: Love others,
all sorts of others, in the same way I have loved you.
Love others as I
have loved. A very straightforward
command. Not so easy always to put
into practice.
I’ve said it
over and over and over. In church,
in this reading love is not a feeling.
Love is not a feeling of affection. In fact, we don’t have a clue how Jesus felt most of the time.
The Scriptures don’t tell us.
When there is some allusion
to how he might have felt, it isn’t “loving” or “affectionate,” it’
exasperated, tired, angry…
We don’t know
how Jesus felt. We do know what he
did. And his ministry was broad,
not limited to the disciples. Not
limited even to the Jews. His actions, his deeds, brought God’s presence and care
and new life. He acted to show
care for people.
He touched
outcasts. Literally touched lepers,
who were defined as unclean. He
sat down eat with tax collectors and prostitutes, people shunned by
society. He brought fellowship and
healing.
He fed people
who were hungry. One of the
stories of feeding the multitudes does say that Jesus felt compassion. Not affection, but compassion. He acted to meet their needs, to show
God’s care, to feed people who were hungry.
His words and
his actions forgave Peter. Peter,
whose personal denial of Jesus was profound. Jesus rebuilt that relationship.
He taught
reconciliation and forgiveness to anyone who would listen and many who wouldn’t.
He calmed
storms. I’ve always cherished the
metaphorical, as well as the literal, aspect of that action. Jesus brought calm and peace into
situations that were full of storms or conflict.
Love others as I
have loved you and them, Jesus says.
For a while
earlier this week I was thinking about preaching on Earth Day. Environmental stewardship is important
to me. Caring for God’s wonderful
creation is something we are all called to do. As I was thinking about it I was reminded how often I’ve
heard people say: I don’t need to
go to church, I can find God by the seashore. Or: I don’t
need to go to church, I can find God in the mountains, or in the forest or on
the golf course.
I speak to you
as someone who has found God in all of those places (except the golf
course). But Jesus reminds us
today that being a disciple involves more than individually finding God,
whether out in creation or here in church. Love others, as I have loved you. That takes others.
To follow Jesus’
command requires us to interact with others in ways that show care.
It means even
more than being civil to fellow parishioners. Although I certainly recommend that. It means seeking out those people who
need us to love them. Seeking out
the people we are called to care for in Jesus name!
The person at
coffee hour who needs someone to listen.
Seek her out.
The widower in
your neighborhood who is profoundly lonely. Seek her out.
People who are
hungry. Seek them out.
I am more and
more concerned about the many people who are victims of violence over which
they have absolutely no control.
Victims of domestic violence.
Victims of political violence.
Victims of the gun violence that plagues Chicago streets. How can I act to bring God’s life and
care into these peoples’ lives?
It takes others
for us to be disciples of Jesus. Love
others as I have loved you. Seek
out people who need our care. That’s
what it means to be Easter people today.
