FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (cycle C)*

Our first reading today continues to chronicle the missionary activity of Paul and Barnabas, their successes and their trials. They recognized and gave voice to the truth that God worked through them, "helped them ... and opened the door of faith to the Gentiles."

The recognition of God's help is continued in our psalm-response, verses from Psalm 145, which is a magnificent ode of praise. It has been called "the Te Deum of the Old Testament, a most inspiriting hymn." Each verse of this psalm states a reason to praise God. We pray from middle verses of the psalm. The predominant reason for praising God is his greatness, more specifically, the way his greatness is manifested: by his graciousness, mercy and kindness (vs. 8); by his compassion "toward all his works" (vs. 9). All God's works and his "faithful ones bless " him and give thanks (vs. 10). They tell of the glory of God's kingdom, and of his might (vs. 11 & 12). The final verse of our response is verse 13 of the psalm, and it is like a refrain verse: "Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations." And among God's people, of both testaments, this is a call for praise and thanksgiving. This proclamation in Psalm 145 paves the way for the New Testament proclamation of the Kingdom of God, which is now being proclaimed following the resurrection of Jesus.

This new kingdom of God is presented as a vision in the final section of the Book of Revelation as "new heavens and a new earth, a holy city." For the readers of this writing, and for us, the new kingdom is the union between us and the Lord. "The glory of God is not some distant vision beyond human comprehension. Rather the glorious vision that John sees is one in which 'the home of God is among mortals.'" "He will dwell with us and we shall be his people." God makes all creation new, and part of this newness is the intimate union between God and the human community. Easter celebrates this as a fruit of Jesus' resurrection, a grace of Jesus' resurrection.

The gospel passage from a discourse of Jesus at the Last Supper speaks of his glorification by God, and his further future glorification. Then it goes on to speak of the disciples' love for each other as a sign of Jesus' loving presence in the world. The suggestion may be that Jesus' continual glorification in the world is manifested in his disciples then and now.

In the Easter Season as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus we continue to give glory to Jesus, now glorified at the right hand of the Father. God is glorified by the energetic work of the early apostles which resulted in new ties of faith. God is glorified in his new creation: the joy, the hope and the love in these new communities, in which the love that Jesus' disciples have for one another gives glory to God.

Love in the christian community in shown in the unity among us, in the availability we have for one another and in the way we serve one another, motivated by our love for Jesus Christ: "This is how all will know you are my disciples: your love for one another" (Jn.13:35).

* ©Resurrection of Lazarus by Herman Falke, scj (CA)