Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 13:31-33; 34-35
He loved us first, and called us to love

Before returning to the Father, Jesus left His disciples — and us — His greatest legacy: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (Jn 13:34). This is the heart of what it means to be Christian. Not simply a call to love, but to love as Christ himself has loved us — completely, freely, and without conditions.

Jesus spoke these words in a moment of darkness and betrayal, yet He reaffirmed His unwavering love. Even as Judas stepped into the night of treachery, Jesus’ love remained. Brothers and sisters, this is the foundation of our faith: not that we loved God, but that He loved us first. Our worth is not based on what we can achieve or produce, but on being loved unconditionally by God.

Understanding this truth transforms how we live holiness. Pope Francis, in his homilies, reminded us that Holiness is not about heroic efforts or extraordinary achievements; it begins in everyday life, among the “pots and pans,” in small acts of love, patience, and mercy. It is about letting ourselves be changed by God’s love, allowing His Spirit to fill our hearts so that we, too, can love. True love does not stay at a distance; it involves getting close, looking into another’s eyes, and recognising the face of Jesus.

Each of us is called to this path of holiness — unique, original, and full of joy as Blessed Carlo Cutis used to say: it is not a photocopy, but an “original”, mine or yours. It is uniquely our own. Truly, the Lord has a plan of love for everyone. He has a dream for your life, for my life, for the life of each of us. Pursue that dream with joy, with courage, rooted always in the certainty that we are loved.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025