Homily for 6th Sunday of Easter

Homily for the
6th Sunday of Easter

May 14, 2023
John 14: 15-21
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments’” (John 14: 15).

Jesus is speaking to his apostles at the Last Supper.  His address to them is his final words before his passion and death.  In this excerpt, twice he urges them to keep his commandments, for such fidelity demonstrates that they love him (cf. 14:21).  If they love him, their faith must be translated into deeds.  As the saying goes, they have to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

What does Jesus command?  What are his commandments?  Also in this farewell address, he commands his followers to love one another (13:34-35).  We can’t love Jesus if at the same time we treat our fellow disciples badly, or anyone in our lives, e.g., by gossiping and tearing them down, ignoring their needs, or lying to them.

Before addressing the apostles at length—this farewell discourse takes up 4½ chapters of John’s Gospel—Jesus set an example for them, and for us, by washing their feet, doing the unpleasant work of a slave.  Then he told them—commanded them—to follow his example by serving one another (13:14-15).  This is one of those commandments that are indicative of our love for Jesus:  that we serve one another, help one another, consider others’ needs and do what we can to meet those needs.

At the Last Supper, Jesus also took bread and consecrated it as his body, given for us; took wine and consecrated it as his blood, shed for us.  Then he commanded, “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).  He’s commanded us to celebrate the Eucharist as a memorial of himself, of his sacrificing himself for our redemption.

If we love him, we’ll keep his commandment and faithfully celebrate the Holy Eucharist every week, if not more often.  St. Paul writes that as often as we eat this bread which is his body and drink this cup of his blood, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again (1 Cor 11:26)—and not his death only, but his resurrection too, and his promise to share his risen life with us when he returns in his glory as Son of God and judge of the world.

St. Peter tells us in today’s 2d reading, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” (1 Pet 3:15).  Receiving his body and blood brings him into ourselves physically and spiritually.  It sanctifies us and empowers us to keep his words in our hearts, on our lips, and in our deeds.  He sanctifies us so that we may sanctify him in our hearts and in our lives.