Jn 15: 12-17
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
Loving Like Jesus
Jesus explains to his first followers and to us how he desires relationship. He calls us friends and has chosen us. He gives a new commandment; we are to love each other as he loves us. Friends of Jesus follow his love commandment. Our love for Jesus will manifest in the ways we live our faith by ministering to and with everyone.
Jesus’ love is freely given. Jesus’ friends follow his loving example. Jesus appoints us to bear fruit that will last. That is a huge challenge for imperfect, emotional people.
Let us pray with St Ignatius whose relationship with Jesus allowed him to find God in everything and everyone; all are gifts from God.
By living our love for Jesus and each other, what will be the fruits of our friendship with Jesus? How can the fruits of our faith express our loving relationships with Jesus and each other?
—Adele Berthelot is a geological technologist. She graduated from Loyola Institute for Ministry (New Orleans) and belongs to Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (in Gramercy, Louisiana) where she participates in liturgical and pastoral ministries.
Prayer
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
—Mahatma Gandhi