Sunday Scripture Study
Sixth Sunday of Easter - Cycle B
May 13, 2012
Click here for USCCB readings
Opening Prayer
First Reading: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48
Psalm: 98:1-4
Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17
- Continuing from last Sunday, the setting for this Sunday’s Gospel is just after the Last Supper discourse in the upper room (John 13:1—14:31). Jesus has just spoken of himself as the vine and as his disciples as the branches, and the necessity for them to abide in him and be fruitful, or to risk being cut off.
- He now goes on to say that Christians are brought into the loving relationship of the Trinity (verses 9-11; 1 John 4:19). This involves a response of participation from us—and this participation should be marked by joy, the hallmark of the Christian life (Philippians 3:1; 4:4-7).
- Jesus delivers his new commandment of love, which he himself keeps perfectly (verses 12-14). We fulfill this commandment by pouring out our life for love of God, as Jesus did on the Cross. It is clear that joyful obedience, and not just faith, is required to be a “friend” of Jesus.
- Indeed, Jesus wants us to be his friends, rather than “slaves” (verse 15). Even though it is even a great honor to be slave of God (see Moses—Deuteronomy 34:5; Joshua—Josh 24:29; David—Psalm 89:20; Paul—Romans 1:1; James—James 1:1), to be God’s friend is to have special access to him.
- Verse 15 makes clear we are specially chosen by Jesus for certain tasks: to “bear fruit that will remain”—fruits of holiness and apostolicity; and to persevere in prayer in Jesus name, especially as it applies to those fruits we are responsible to bear.
QUESTIONS:
- How is the promise of intimacy with Jesus conditional (verse 14)?
- Who was the first person to be called a “friend” of God (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23)? What was the hallmark of this individual (Genesis 22:1-18)? What does it benefit us to be God’s friend (CCC 142, 1972)?
- How does Jesus lay his life down for his friends? How does he want you to lay down yours? What does he say is the measure of our love for one another (verse 12; CCC 1825)? Does this love proceed from us as a source (John 15:4-5, 10)?
- What if we do not love our brother and lay down our life for others (1 John 3:16-17)? How can we show this love in practical ways (CCC 2447)?
- What does Jesus mean that we can ask and receive (verse 16; CCC 2745)? In whose name do we ask of the Father (verse 16; 16:23-24; Ephesians 2:18)?
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 458-459, 609, 1823-1824, 1970, 1972, 2074, 2745
“As two pieces of wax fused together make one, so he who receives Holy Communion is so united with Christ that Christ is in him and he is in Christ.” ~St. Cyril of Alexandria