Although we find ourselves in the midst of the Easter Season, this Sunday’s Gospel takes us back to the Last Supper. After washing the feet of his disciples Jesus presented them with a profound and transformative directive: “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.” (John 13: 34-35)
Jesus knew that his time on earth was ending, and he sought to impart one final, crucial teaching to His disciples. This was not just another instruction, it was much more than that. This command is a culmination of his teachings, a distillation of his message of love, a mandate for his disciples both then and now.
The kind of love Jesus requires of us is not superficial and fleeting. The Greek word used for love in the Gospel of St. John is agape. This is the highest form of love. It is the kind of love that is unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial. It transcends human limitations and mirrors the divine love that God has for each of us. This love is patient, kind, and enduring; it is not envious, boastful, or proud. It does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Jesus’ entire life was a testament to this type of divine love. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the sorrowful. He forgave those who wronged Him and showed compassion to the marginalized and oppressed. In the end, the depth of his love was exemplified by his willingness to die for the love of God and God’s people. The death of Jesus, his ultimate sacrifice was not the goal of his earthly mission but rather was the consequence of his radical love.
In describing love, Saint Augustine distinguished between caritas and cupiditas. Caritas is the kind of love that aligns with God’s will and therefore is properly ordered while cupiditas on the other hand refers to love that is not aligned with God’s will and therefor is disordered. Cupiditas translates as greed, avarice and covetousness.
Thomas Aquinas expanded on this notion and created the ordo amoris or the order of love, stipulating that God must be loved above all else, then comes self, followed by neighbors. His notion of love of neighbors is sometimes misinterpreted. For Thomas Aquinas the concept of neighbors reaches far beyond one’s immediate circle of family and friends and implies a sense of universal charity, extended even to those who may not reciprocate or who may be difficult to love. It is easy to love those who love us back, but true Christian love involves loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
Jesus made it very clear that our love for one another is the hallmark of true discipleship. “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 35) Our love is the outward manifestation or the visible sign of our faith and the proof of our love for God. And it is precisely by our love that others will recognize us as followers of Jesus. This love is not confined to mere words; it is demonstrated through our actions, our attitudes, and our willingness to serve and sacrifice for others.
Living out this commandment involves practical steps and intentional actions. Some easy steps to begin embodying this divine love in our daily lives include listening, serving, forgiving, encouraging and praying.
- Listening: let’s make time to listen to one another with empathy and understanding. A simple act of listening can be a profound expression of love.
- Serving: let’s look for opportunities to serve others, whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or offering support in times of need.
- Forgiving: let’s practice forgiveness while letting go of grudges and bitterness. Forgiveness is a powerful act of love that brings healing and reconciliation.
- Encouraging: let’s offer words of encouragement and affirmation. A simple word of encouragement can uplift someone’s spirit and demonstrate love.
- Praying: let’s pray for others, asking God to bless them and meet their needs. Prayer is a profound way to show love and concern for others.
Jesus’ commandment to love one another has the power to transform our lives, our communities and our world. Love fosters unity and harmony. Love breaks down walls and builds bridges between people. Love heals wounds, mends broken relationships, and creates a supportive and nurturing environment. In a world marked by division and conflict, the love of Christ shines as a beacon of hope and reconciliation.
Let us commit ourselves to this challenging but powerful commandment, allowing divine love to guide our thoughts and actions and thus reshape our lives and our world.