Reflection for the Gospel

Sunday, May 2

John 13:31-35

We hear Jesus say in our Gospel today, “All will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

His words come to us in terms of our contemporary spirituality. Our love for one another must include, not simply human beings, but the entire creation.

In her beautiful article, “God so loved the Cosmos,” (U.S. Catholic. April, 2010), Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, writes that Jesus had a profound connection with bodiliness and earth.

Preached within a farming culture, his parables are salted with references to seeds and harvests, vineyards and weeds, rain and sunsets, sheep and nesting birds. He did not hesitate to speak movingly of God’s clothing the wildflowers with beauty. He even told of his dear Father’s concern for a dead sparrow fallen to the ground. (Mt. 10:29)

As we enjoy Eastertime and springtime, we show we are disciples of Jesus by our love for all of God’s creation.