Weekly Reflection
May 13, 2012
Gospel: "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love 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 no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another."
Narrative: What more can be said? It’s that simple.
Yet . . . maybe the confusion comes because we hear “love” in so many different ways, most of which have nothing to do with the “love” Jesus spoke of. Jesus’ love:
- Puts others needs ahead of my own,
- Shows care for everyone, especially those whom others reject,
- Demonstrates patience when another may be frustrating me,
- Does not give into jealousy and envy,
- Does not hold onto grudges,
- Does not go around bragging, and
- Chooses to trust, persevere, and to hope (in God’s faithfulness) in difficult times.
Give it a try!