I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. (John 13)

In the Fifth week of Easter, we refer back to what Jesus said after Judas left to betray him: love one another.  He didn’t say: everybody run and hide, or let’s get some swords and clubs.  No, we wouldn’t have an Easter season, there would be no resurrection, if it hadn’t been for the betrayal that lead to his passion, and if Jesus hadn’t promised the Holy Spirit, the fruit of his dying and Rising. Love one another is the theme song of the Resurrection, the way we give witness to Jesus, that violence or fear or running from our problems is not the answer. The Holy Spirit, the Easter gift of Jesus to the disciples, and to us, his followers, is a Spirit of love and courage, or hope and strength. Let us live as the people of the resurrection, in love for one another and in the courage to be faithful to Jesus and to our commitments in all situations. That’s how the world will know we are his disciples; and hopefully, they too will come to believe.