Fifth Sunday of Easter

As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. – John 13:34

My spiritual director was leaving the area to become pastor of another church. When we said our goodbyes, he left with these parting words – It is time for you to pass on what you have been given.

In the 10 years he had been my spiritual director, he had changed my life in so many ways. Through him, I came to really know Jesus for the first time. Through him, I came to experience Jesus’ healing and His unconditional love and acceptance.

Now I was being given the same direction that Jesus gave to his disciples.

Pass on what you have been given.

There is a song recorded by different artists called “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Those words really caught my attention when I first heard them many years ago. I too wanted to know what love was. Not the romantic kind of love, but the “love your neighbor” kind of love.

The Jesus kind of love.

The love that changes lives and “makes all things new.” (Rev 21:5a).

I know more about love these days because someone loved Jesus so much that Jesus was able to work through him to love others. I pray that Jesus works through me too.

I want to pass it on.

Empty me, O Lord,
That I may be filled with Your Love
And I may pour out that Love for others
Only to be empty again
For Love of You.
Amen.

Photo by Kymme (2015) via Morguefile

Tagged as: Jesus, love, reflections, Sunday Gospels