Jesus New Commandment
John 13:31-35
The Gospel of John could be summed up by a number of different key words. It could be called a gospel of life, a gospel of light, of believing, of knowing, of sending and being sent, a gospel of signs, or, above all, as we see from this passage, a gospel of glory and of love.
Life, light, believing, knowing, glory, love…the meanings of these words do not lie in the dictionary: they lie in the actions of Christ. They describe life and a way of life, and they can be known only as experienced in their incarnation.
As always in John, this glorification of Father and Son is not something between them alone; it does not stop with Christ. The capacity to glorify God extends to Christ’s followers and is laid upon believers as a charge—“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my Disciples” (Jn15:8). Believers are empowered to do the same works that Christ did, and even greater works.
Our actions show God’s glory, too. At least, we are charged that it be so. Jesus prays, “All mine are yours and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them” (17:10). Here the focus lies on promise and possibilities, looking at the fullness of God’s gifts: “ The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one…so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (17:22-23). As was true for Christ is true for us. We cannot fully show the glory until we have completed the work of God has sent us to do. Or, more positively, we show the glory as we complete that work.
This work, however, is demanding, is not mere feeling, but stands as an enduring , abiding will to do whatever God sends us to do. Jesus states this three times. “If you love me you will keep my commandments” ( 14:15), “those who love me will keep my word,” ( 14:23), and “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (15:10).
This love flows out of communion with Christ. It is who we become, the more we come to know God. God will always call on us to love. And if we love as Christ did, that love is strong, enduring, and faithful; we will love to the end (13:1). This love is not easily shaken or deterred from its primary task, which is simply to express itself in action, drawing from God’s unlimited supply. Perhaps Jesus’ promise in Matthew is better known—“wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20), but in John the promise is much more richly---“Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (14:23).
This love flows out of His abiding presence among us. When we live in His love, we can, if called upon, fulfill the highest form of love. “There is no greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (15:13). These are high standards for a high calling. We might look at our friends and wonder—if the moment ever came, would we be willing to die for them?
The sound system is complete! To date, we have collected about $30,000 of the $48,000. Please consider donating if you haven’t already. Thank you to those of you who have. Hopefully you can HEAR the difference! God Bless you all.
Thursday May 21st at 7:00 pm. Please join us for a peaceful time during our busy schedules!
There will be no coffee hour on Sunday May 24th due to Memorial weekend. Have a great 3 day weekend.
As everyone is aware, Saint Raymond Parish has the wonderful custom of gathering for coffee and donuts after the 9 am and 11 am Sunday Liturgies. These coffee socials are an important fabric of Saint Raymond Parish as they unite family and friends week after week. We are in need of some help in continuing the hospitality of our coffee socials. Please consider forming a small team of one or two people to prepare the coffee with the help of the instruction booklet! Our hope is to get several small teams so that each team would only volunteer once per month. Please considering serving in this important ministry for the Cathedral Parish. If you want more information, or wish to volunteer, please contact the rectory office at 314-621-0056 or straymondscathedral@hotmail.com. May God bless you abundantly
2015 FESTIVAL
Our Fall Festival is quickly approaching! It’s time to pitch in as we start to get ready with preparing for the festival. Please, prepare yourself to volunteer. Those who wish to chair a booth, please contact Janet Baker at sadiejb@sbcglobal.net or Gina Fanetti at gfanetti5@gmail.com for more details about booths.
FESTIVAL DATE: SEPTEMBER 19-20, 2015
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