{"id":5724,"date":"2025-05-17T08:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T07:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=5724"},"modified":"2025-05-06T14:03:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T13:03:52","slug":"commentary-on-5th-sunday-of-easter-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-5th-sunday-of-easter-c\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on 5th Sunday of Easter C 18.05.2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TEXT \u2014 John 13: 01, 31\u201335 \u2014 The Son of man is \u00a0glorified<\/em><\/h3>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

God Glorified in Son of man<\/strong><\/p>\n

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, \u201cNow is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus is departing<\/strong><\/p>\n

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, \u2018Where I am going you cannot come.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

The new Commandment<\/strong><\/p>\n

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

With this chapter the second part of John\u2019s Gospel, which is referred to as \u201cThe Book of Glory\u201d, commences. This first verse serves as an introduction to the section.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow before the feast of the Passover<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Passover feast was the Saturday. Friday, \u201cGood Friday\u201d, was Passover Preparation Day. Following on this first verse John mentions that Jesus and his apostles \u201cwere at supper<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 13: 2) and goes on immediately to write of the washing of the feet and the treachery of Judas (Jn 13: 2\u201330). Then comes the present passage, after which Jesus takes time to address the apostles (Jn. 14: 1 \u2014 17: 26). He is arrested (Jn. 18) and after spending the night in the house and courtyard of Caiaphas he is taken to Pilate \u201cin the morning<\/em>\u201d of Friday the Passover Preparation Day (Jn. 19: 14, 31, 42). This explanation is given to confirm that in John\u2019s Gospel the Last Supper and Jesus words in this Gospel passage took place on Holy Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cwhen Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201chis hour<\/em>\u201d refers to the time of his passion, death and resurrection. References to the \u201chour<\/em>\u201d are: Jn. 2: 4; 4: 21, 23; 7: 30; 8: 20; 12: 23, 27.<\/p>\n

John 18: 4 informs us that Jesus \u201cknew everything that was going to happen to him<\/em>\u201d. This means that he knew his passion and death were imminent. This, his final address to his apostles before his death, gives special poignancy and intimacy to his words.<\/p>\n

The feast of Passover commemorated the beginning of the liberation under Moses of the Jewish people enslaved in Egypt. The angel of the Lord \u201cpassed over\u201d the houses of the Jewish people that had the mark of blood on the lintels of the doors. In this verse we are told that Jesus is to \u201cdepart<\/em>\u201d, that is \u201cpass over\u201d from this life to the next and so lead a new exodus of his followers enslaved in sin to the promised land of heaven.<\/p>\n

\u201chaving loved his own who were in the world\u201d<\/em> \u2014 That special poignancy and intimacy flowed from his deep love for \u201chis own<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201che loved them to the end<\/em>\u201d \u2014 In this verse \u201clove<\/em>\u201d for his apostles and disciples is mentioned twice for emphasis. St. Augustine wrote, \u201cIt was not only until his death that he loved us, who always and forever loves us. Far be it from us to imagine that he made death the end of his loving, who did not make death the end of his living\u201d. Jesus continues to love \u201chis own<\/em>\u201d after his resurrection.<\/p>\n

\u201cto the end<\/em>\u201d can mean two things: (i) to the end of his physical life on earth; (ii) to the supreme pinnacle of love without measure by dying for them.<\/p>\n

The love he shows to them, and to the world, at the end in his passion and death is the very pinnacle of love. \u201cGreater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends<\/em>\u201d. (Jn. 15: 13).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, \u201cNow is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he had gone out<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Judas had gone out from the Last Supper room to betray Jesus (Jn. 13: 30). As Jesus faces his passion and death, it is neither a disgrace nor a disaster that he die by crucifixion. It is a victory, a triumph. The triumph and victory did not come with the resurrection. With the departure of Judas the glorification of Jesus began.<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus said, \u201cNow is the Son of man<\/em> glorified<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cNow<\/em>\u201d. As Judas has gone to betray Jesus and have him arrested, there is no turning back and the passion stage is set. This begins Jesus\u2019 \u201chour<\/em>\u201d of glorification.<\/p>\n

Only Jesus uses the title \u201cSon of man<\/em>\u201d for himself and always in reference to his death by crucifixion (Jn. 1: 51; 3: 14; 6: 27, 53; 8: 28; 12: 23).<\/p>\n

\u201cglorified<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The word \u201cglory<\/em>\u201d is a very much used word in the Bible (about 550 times) and quite technical. It means the divinity of God visibly manifest in acts of power but hidden in cloud, fire, or signs. When the cloud descended on Mt. Sinai, on the Temple and elsewhere, the people knew that God was present in the visible sign but not directly to the human eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cand in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once<\/em>\u201d \u2014.What people saw were \u201csigns\u201d that needed faith for their interpretation (Jn. 2: 11; 11: 40).<\/p>\n

The word \u201cglorify<\/em>\u201d means to let God\u2019s \u201cglory<\/em>\u201d, as explained, or his Son\u2019s, be seen by faith.<\/p>\n

The understanding of this verse is as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cNow is the Son of man glorified<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Son of man\u2019s [Jesus\u2019] divinity could be seen in his words and deeds during his life and now in his passion, death and resurrection which will take place shortly (Jn.17: 4).<\/p>\n

\u201cand in him God is glorified<\/em>\u201d \u2014 In these events God\u2019s divinity and presence will be seen by faith. Jesus\u2019 act of supreme love and obedience to his Father shown in his death makes people realise who the Father is.<\/p>\n

\u201cif God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself<\/em>\u201d \u2014 If God\u2019s divinity and presence are seen in the Son\u2019s passion, death and resurrection, God will let the Son\u2019s divinity and presence be seen in these events (Jn. 17: 5). The Son will be seated at the right hand of the Father, that is he will be equal to the Father.<\/p>\n

\u201cand glorify him at once<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This manifestation will take place not at some future indefinite date but immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/sup>In suffering and death his humanity became the free and perfect instrument of his divine love which desires the salvation of men. Indeed, out of love for his Father and for men, whom the Father wants to save, Jesus freely accepted his Passion and death: \u2018No one takes <\/em>[my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord<\/em>\u2019\u201d. (CCC<\/em> 609)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Little children<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This is a term of tender love. At the Passover meal, as part of the celebration, the father of the family, or the person presiding when not a family meal, explained the meaning of the Passover feast. Jesus is presiding and so it is appropriate that he call those present his \u201clittle children<\/em>\u201d. This is also his final address to the apostles and he can be seen like a dying father of a family bidding farewell to his \u201clittle children<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cyet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews<\/em> [Jn. 7: 33\u201334; 8: 21; 12: 35; 14: 19; 16: 16] so now I say to you, \u2018Where I am going you cannot come<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 Jesus tells the apostles that his end is near and they cannot follow him to death on Calvary now and in his return to his Father\u2019s side in heaven. He will give this great promise. \u201cWhere I am going you cannot follow me now; but you will follow me afterward<\/em>\u201d (Jn 13: 36).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A new commandment I give to you<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This commandment already existed: \u201cYou shall love your neighbour as yourself<\/em>\u201d (Lv. 19: 18). Jesus will now say what is special about it that makes it \u201cnew<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cthat you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Old Testament did not present any model of love; it only formulated the precept of love. What makes Jesus\u2019 formulation new is that it is based on Christ\u2019s love for all his disciples because they are to see Jesus as their model by his life of service for others culminating in giving his life for them out of the depth of his love. This is what disciples are called to do, to be absolutely generous in the expression of their love throughout their lives. Indeed such is his love that it is to be not merely the model but, more importantly, the source of their love for all others. \u201cAs the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: abide in my love<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 15: 8). He has just washed the apostles\u2019 feet (Jn. 13: 2\u201315) as an example of humble service to them: \u201cI have given you an example, that you also should do what I have done to you<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 13: 15). Disciples are called to a service of one another by sacrificial love, even to death (Jn 16: 2).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is impossible to keep the Lord\u2019s commandment by imitating the divine model from outside; there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of the heart, in the holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make \u201cours\u201d the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Then the unity of forgiveness becomes possible and we find ourselves \u2018forgiving one another, \u201cas\u201d God in Christ forgave\u2019<\/em> us\u201d. (CCC<\/em>, 2842).<\/p>\n

\u201cBy this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cThis commandment summarizes all the others and expresses his entire will\u201d (CCC<\/em> 2822).<\/p>\n

The theme \u201clove one another<\/em>\u201d occurs in verses 34, 35 and Jn. 15: 12\u201317. This love identifies people as Jesus\u2019 disciples because it belongs to his essence to love all people. This would not be the norm in human inter\u2013action and so, because it is different, people can identify this love as modelled on Jesus\u2019 love.<\/p>\n

By disciples imitating and demonstrating Jesus\u2019 love, his spirit, his presence remains in the world through them. This is his desire.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What does the Gospel passage teach us about Jesus? It is most compact but extremely rich and requires careful reflection.<\/p>\n

There are two matters uppermost in Jesus\u2019 mind as he prepares for his imminent death. First, he wishes to show his Father that he loves him totally and so he is fulfilling his Father\u2019s will for him. He knows the cost \u2014 his life for the salvation of the world.<\/p>\n

He is aware that it is not easy for him to suffer and die. He prays in his agony for the strength to follow his Father\u2019s will. The darkness of sin and evil has set in with the departure of Judas to betray him. Jesus will dispel that darkness with his love which is divine, selfless, unconditional, sacrificial, generous.<\/p>\n

Jesus had his model of love \u2014 \u201cAs the Father has loved me<\/em>\u2026\u201d It was his divine love that stirred the Father to send his Son into the world to save it. The salvation of a sinful world is the Father\u2019s goal. It is also that of the Word made flesh. Compassion, the highest expression of love, for the sinners who were slaves to darkness and evil, inspired the Father \u2014 \u201cThe Father loved the world so much<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 3: 16).<\/p>\n

In turn, it was the Father\u2019s love that motivated his Son to \u201cempty himself<\/em>\u201d and come into our world to live and die in the service of redemption. Jesus was God\u2019s gift of incarnate love to the world.<\/p>\n

Second, it is his plan that his disciples are to continue his mission, a mission of love to promote love which means to promote divinity \u2014 \u201cGod is love<\/em>\u201d. It is by love that God is recognised because God is love. Jesus was committed, dedicated, determined, resolute in his life to promote that message.<\/p>\n

Now it is his turn to \u2018mission\u2019 or \u2018send\u2019 his disciples to continue what he undertook and so it will not be easy for his disciples to follow his example of love. They live in a culture of darkness and death.<\/p>\n

There are two words in Greek for our English word \u2018new\u2019; one refers to newness in time, that is new as opposed to old; and the other to a new nature in the item, meaning in this context a new type of love.<\/p>\n

Love divinises us; makes us God\u2013like. This makes us effective in mission. It is not what we do but what we are \u2014 sharers in the divine nature; adopted children of God. We are \u2018glorified\u2019; we manifest the divinity and presence of God in our small world.<\/p>\n

We need to ask, how do we appropriate this love? How does it become interiorized in us? How does the human love we have become divine love?<\/p>\n

Jesus is our model. We do our very best to follow what he did. First, he listened<\/em> to God his Father speak to him. \u201cWhat the Father has taught me is what I preach\u2026. I always do what pleases him<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 8: 27\u201328). Doing his Father\u2019s will, not his own, is one of the major themes in John\u2019s Gospel. The biggest obstacle is our own hearts. We must trust him in our fears and lethargy. He understands our frailty and moral weakness. He will not leave us alone. We have his divine promise.<\/p>\n

Second, he prayed for help. He is our perfect model in this. By our own strength we are weak, inadequate and restricted. He answers our prayer by his presence in our lives through his Holy Spirit called \u201cthe comforter\u201d, a Latin word which means \u2018the one who strengthens\u2019. He is present in us by the Eucharist, the sacrament of unity with him and with one another, the sacrament of love that generates love.<\/p>\n

Love is a fascinating power \u2014 it brings life to those dead in sin. By it we are the builders of a civilisation of love and life. Without Christians sharing God\u2019s love with the world there will be no civilisation at all. \u201cI have chosen you from the world and have appointed you to go out and bear fruit<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 15:16, 19)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TEXT \u2014 John 13: 01, 31\u201335 \u2014 The Son of man is \u00a0glorified Introduction 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. God<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5724","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5724"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5724\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8377,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5724\/revisions\/8377"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5724"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5724"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5724"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}