Sixth Sunday of Easter ~ John 15: 9-17
Scholars commonly divide the Gospel of John into four sections: (1) Prologue (1:1-18); (2) Book of Signs (1:19-12:50); (3) Book of Glory (13:1-20:31); and (4) Epilogue (21:1-25). This week’s Gospel is part of the Lord’s multi-faceted Farewell Discourse, which includes four distinct sections – departure and return (Jn 14:1-31), the vine and the branches (Jn 15:1-17), the sending of the Advocate or the Holy Spirit (Jn 15:18-16:33) and the High Priestly Prayer (Jn 17:1-26). All those sections are included in the Gospel’s Third Part—the Book of Glory.
Within these varied emphases, Saint John stresses unity with Jesus and loving one another. More importantly, the evangelist is strongly suggesting that Jesus’ time among the disciples is coming to its end. Thus, John points to Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross as the ultimate example of perfect love. The relationship between Jesus and the disciples deepens and, from this point on, they are no longer master and servants, but friends. Also, Jesus is empowering His disciples to continue what He had begun. He tells them, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose (Gk. ἐξελεξάμην) you and appointed (Gk. ἔθηκα) you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you” (Jn 15:16).
The nature of choosing is to pick or select someone or something as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives. The word appointed means to be predetermined, arranged or set. Thus, Jesus appoints His disciples to serve in the world. With the Risen Jesus about to go from the world, the disciples are given the mission to carry on in His place. Their role in doing so is “to remain in [His] love,” so that they can “go and bear fruit that will remain.” Every disciple’s relationship with the Father is assured through the friendship that we have with Jesus: the Father will give them all that they need.
But the Church teaches us that Jesus’ command, “Love one another as I love you” (John 15:12), is foundational to the entire Christian life. You can find that described in detail in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The practice of all the virtues is animated and inspired by charity, which ‘binds everything together in perfect harmony’; it is the form of the virtues; it articulates and orders them among themselves; it is the source and the goal of their Christian practice. Charity upholds and purifies our human ability to love, and raises it to the supernatural perfection of divine love” (CCC, n. 1827). Love says we can disagree with each other. Absolutely we can! But love says you must treat those you disagree with as a God’s beloved creation made in His image and likeness. Love says you must treat others with respect. Of course, this is easier said than done.
Now, the root of the word “disciple” is the Latin word “discere” which means “to learn.” So, being a disciple means you need to constantly be learning. And that’s totally true with love. Love is a virtue and even more, it is a theological virtue because God infuses us with love. It is never easy to practice the virtue of love, though all of us can grow in and develop the virtue of love. Remember, a virtue is an intentional good habit. So, everyone can work at developing virtue or good habits in their lives. You need to work at it because Jesus said that if we follow His commands then we will remain in Jesus’ love (Jn 15:10). But growing in love is never easy because it is a process. How does anyone know that the process of growing in love is even working? Or, more broadly, how can anyone know that they are growing in virtue and overcoming bad habits or vices?
Jesus says that we are supposed to go and bear fruit (Jn 15:16). Thus, love is not only a virtue because it is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, even if you can’t notice its activity in your life, those around you – especially your family or friends – might be able to see the fruits of the spiritual work and growth in loving one another.
Excerpted from James Boyce. Commentary on John 15 9-17 http://www.workingpreacher.org. 13 May 2012
Nature and dignity 