Jesus commanded us to love one another, but do we really know how to do that? Fr. Matt Stewart, SJ, reflects on the love of God that we are meant to embrace and share. Based on the readings for Sunday, May 9, 2021.

I love my niece and nephews. I love buffalo wings. I love…lamp?

I’m Father Matt Stewart, and this is my One Minute Homily. 

The word “love” gets used in so many ways that it can be hard to figure out what Jesus means when he commands us to love one another. He tells us if we want to know how to love one another, then look at how he loves us, and how the Father loves him. 

The love that Jesus has for us leads him to wash our feet, to feed us with his body and blood, and to lay down his life for us. The love of the Father for Jesus unites them in the beautiful and intimate dance of generous self-gift we see in the prologue of John’s gospel. 

So loving one another involves sacrifice, care, intimacy, and generosity. 

Jesus reassures us that when we love each other in this way we will experience complete joy because we open the door to true friendship with Jesus and remain in God’s love.