A Love That Sets Us Apart
In today’s Gospel, we are drawn into one of the most intimate and heart-wrenching moments of Jesus’s earthly life—the Last Supper. Just after Judas departs into the night to betray Him, Jesus turns to the rest of His disciples and speaks words not of condemnation, but of glory and love.
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him…
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”
Even with the shadow of betrayal looming and the weight of the Cross ahead, Jesus doesn’t focus on Himself. Instead, He gives a gift—a new commandment. A commandment that will become the hallmark of Christian identity: to love as He has loved.
A Legacy of Unconditional Love
Our pastor reminds us that Jesus chose love even in the face of betrayal and denial, actions carried out by His closest companions. In His final hours, Jesus’s desire wasn’t revenge or self-preservation, but to leave behind a legacy rooted in unconditional love. This is not the kind of love that’s sentimental or self-serving—it’s self-giving, sacrificial, and unconditional.
The Gospel of John has often been called “the Gospel of Love” because it reveals Love as God’s very nature. Everything Jesus does flows from that divine Love: healing the sick, forgiving sinners, feeding the hungry, washing the disciples’ feet, and ultimately dying for us.
And now, He asks us to love in that same way.
More Than a Suggestion—A Commandment
This new commandment is more than a spiritual ideal—it’s a call to action. It redefines the ancient law from Leviticus, which emphasized loving one's neighbor as oneself, often limited to familial or tribal connections. But Jesus expands the horizon. His Love reaches beyond boundaries, beyond comfort zones, beyond what we think is “deserved.”
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
It’s not our prayers, our church attendance, or even our good deeds alone that mark us as Christians—it’s our Love. Love that forgives. Love that heals. Love that sees dignity even in the most broken. Love that reaches across divisions and disagreements. Love that humbly serves, especially when it costs us something.
A Mirror for Our Hearts
As St. Paul beautifully describes in 1 Corinthians 13, Love is patient, kind, not arrogant or self-seeking, doesn’t keep score, and always hopes. It bears all things.
These are not abstract qualities—they’re a mirror for our hearts.
Let us reflect:
Are we patient with those who frustrate us?
Do we offer kindness to those who have wronged us?
Are we willing to bear with others, even when we feel misunderstood or rejected?
This is the kind of radical, merciful love Jesus models—and this is the love that can transform families, parishes, communities, and even the world.
A Prayer for This Week
Holy Spirit,
You are the fire of Love that Jesus promised would never leave us.
Come and renew our hearts.
Where we have grown cold, kindle warmth.
Where we have held on to offense, plant forgiveness.
Where we find it hard to love, give us the courage to begin.
Help us to love like Jesus:
not just those who love us in return,
but especially those we find difficult to embrace.
Make us true disciples—not in name only,
but in the Love we live and give.
Amen.
This Sunday, let us remember: Love isn’t a suggestion—it’s our identity. And when we live that love, we reflect Christ Himself.