Easter, 5th Sunday (C) Our parish exists for one reason: Communion. Through Baptism we are "dipped" into God's love for us. When we receive Holy Communion, God enters us. So we are in God and God is in us. That's the very definition of communion!

Today Jesus tells us, "As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." I think many of us nod and smile at these words without realizing what they mean. We think Jesus is telling us to be nice, to tolerate others, to be accepting and inclusive. In reality, Jesus is inviting us to first receive his love and love him back in the same way: total, faithful, fruitful, and free. Our love for Jesus pulls us into communion with him. His love for others pulls us into communion with them.

Communion will never be perfect here on earth. But we need to keep investing in it. The Apostles are sent out by a community, they create little communities, and they return to a community. Is your parish a place of Communion?

(18 May 2025)

Going Deeper: What does Communion mean to you? Does it feel safe? Is it something you long for? What would it practically look like?

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