This coming Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Easter in Lectionary Cycle A. The gospel text is part of a larger section which includes the Last Supper and all that takes place after Jesus had washed the disciples feet, after Judas had left the table (“he took the morsel and left at once. And it was night” (13:30)), and after Peter’s protestations he would never betray Jesus.  The section comes before the disciples see their master led away for trial; then be condemned to death on a cross. Their faith will be sorely tested. Jesus’ teaching, beginning in 14:1, was given to strengthen for the hours, days, months and years to come.

O’Day suggests a broad outline of the context for this larger section of John’s gospel of which our our reading is a part*

• The Farewell Meal (13:1-38)
• The Farewell Discourse (14:1-16:33) *
• The Farewell Prayer (17:1-26)

There are several discourses in the Gospel according to John, however, this one is different. Where the others generally follow an event and serve to explain the event (e.g., John 5,6 or 9), the Farewell Discourse is one given in anticipation of the Passion, Death and Resurrection.  It is thus interesting that in its liturgical use, while Jesus is preparing the disciples for the events of the three days of Holy Week (triduum) – in our time it is after the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Of course, these readings are also given to us to prepare our endeavors and journey in the times following Easter.

One of the great discourses/speeches of the OT is the book of Deuteronomy, especially the farewell discourse by Moses to the people of Israel on the plains of Moab. The book of Deuteronomy reached its final written form during the Babylonian Exile period when Israel was asking itself the deep questions of identity, place and purpose. It is that context that Moses’ farewell speech receives a fresh hearing by new ears, in a new time and place. These words spoken long ago before the event of entering the promised land, are later heard in a new moment by a new people – even centuries after the event. Just as the people of exile were invited to see themselves on the plains of Moab, so too, in our day, we are invited to see ourselves in the Upper Room. We are reminded what is ours to do in proclamation of the Good News of the risen Christ. It is in this vein that the Johannine discourse is offered by the Church for our consideration on the 5th Sunday in Easter.

Image credit: Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255–1319), “Jesus taking leave of his Apostles,” ca. 1310 | Panel 4 of the Maestro, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Siena | Public Domain

Our gospel text for the 6th Sunday of Easter comes from a section of the “Farewell Discourse” that focuses on Jesus’ departure and discusses the disciples’ relation to Jesus and their conflict with the world. Our gospel pericope falls at the end of this section.

The “Farewell Discourse” stretches over several chapters, seems to curl back on itself with repeated messages and promises – and to some extent it does exactly that. You have to remember that the disciples are in shock. Their trip to Jerusalem, the triumphal entry to the city, was not the prelude to the King Messiah creating the New Jerusalem, the New Israel.  He is leaving them. They are stunned and Jesus knows that the worst is yet to come. Within hours He will be arrested and the Passion will begin leading to death on the cross. What Jesus has told them now is not solace for the immediacy of Good Friday and Easter, it is for the “long haul” of mission to the world. When they will look back and remember why He spoke to them: “And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

As Gail O’Day notes: “One way to think about Jesus’ words in John 14 (and the rest of the Farewell Discourse) is as Jesus’ preaching to his gathered followers. Jesus offers his disciples the good news of the love of God and of the abiding presence of God with them, even when the circumstances of their lives would indicate otherwise.  In the face of the evidence that says that the battle is lost, that death will claim Jesus, and that the hope JEsus offered them is thereby nullified, Jesus speaks words of renewed hope and assurance, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” (14:27)… In the preaching of Jesus in the Farewell Discourse, that refrain thus summons the disciples to believe in a life shaped not by Jesus’ absence but by the enduring presence of God.”

Image credit: Christ’s Final Address to the Apostles | Bona Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1380 | from the Maesta Altar | Siena, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo | PD-US

Our gospel text for the 6th Sunday of Easter comes from a section of the “Farewell Discourse” that focuses on Jesus’ departure and discusses the disciples’ relation to Jesus and their conflict with the world. Our gospel pericope falls at the end of this section.

Verse 23 begins with, “Jesus answered and said to him.” Jesus is answering the question raised in v. 22 by Judas (not Iscariot): “Lord, how is it that you will reveal (emphanizo) yourself to us, and not to the world?” This question comes because Jesus has just said that he would love and reveal himself to those who have and keep his commandments — those who love him (v. 21: Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”).