From the Gospel acclamation: “Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 14:27-31a)
In doing as his Father commanded, Jesus relates the joy of obedience to him and by example prepares the disciples for his ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the second coming. “I am going away and I will come back to you.” Through obedience, Jesus makes clear that he loves the Father by doing what he commanded. So with joy and love, he begins by saying to the disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Before returning to the Father, Jesus destroys the power of sin and death through his passion, death, and resurrection. His obedience brings victory over the grave, revealing the fulness of God’s love and mercy.
Father in heaven, Jesus your Son is the face of your love and mercy. Grant me the grace today to remain in your love by loving even when it feels as if love is unmerited or undeserved. In the Our Father, I express what ought to come to mind when I am challenged to love: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In his own words, Jesus did “just as the Father has commanded me.” Help me prevail today in expressing love for you by doing what you command and serving others, understanding as the early disciples did that the demands can be great: As they said: “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.”