Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 22, 2025

Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter

Scripture Text:  John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel reading is drawn from Jesus’ familiar “Vine and Branches” Sermon. The focus is love. Jesus reveals the divine love that binds Father and Son and that Jesus reveals to us as the bond He seeks for us and from us. Jesus tells us that if we keep His commandments we will remain in His love. What are His commandments? To love our LORD and to love one another everywhere and always.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Does love truly motivate me and steer me? How often do I consider how my words and actions build or strengthen my relationships with the LORD or others?

Praying:

LORD, You are love. You, in, with and through love created us and all goodness that is or ever was. And You, because of love, willed that we have life and have it in abundance. And through the most powerful manifestation of love ever expressed, You asked your only-begotten Son to give himself for our sins to win our salvation and life. Send your Spirit to illuminate our minds, to tenderize our hearts, and to transform our very beings so that we might be the loving daughters and sons You created us to be and the loving disciples of Christ in this world. Grant that all we do and all we say flow from our love for You and for our sisters and brothers. May love be our reason this day and all days. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.