Lectio Divina for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2025
We begin our prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen:
O God, who restore us to eternal life
in the Resurrection of Christ,
grant your people constancy in faith and hope, that we may never doubt the promises
of which we have learned from you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
(Collect, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter)
Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or thee times.
John 13:31-33a, 34-35
When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions:
- Did this scripture passage remind you of a personal experience, story, or another scripture passage?
- What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
- What in this passage comforted you?
- What in this passage challenged you?
If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, after the reflection time, invite the participants to share their responses.
Prayer (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you.
Contemplation (Contemplatio)
Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. How does my life give glory to God? How can I praise God for his glory?
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. When have I felt God’s love for me most profoundly? How can I share that love with others?
This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. How do I share my faith through my words and actions? How can I reach out to my brothers and sisters in love?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
Closing Prayer:
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
(From Psalm 145)
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Reach out to someone who needs your time and attention.
To learn more about the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, watch the video below.
Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner.
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.