Reflection From

Fr. John

May 18, 2025

The new commandment in this Gospel -- to love one another -- is arguably one of the more famous statements in the bible. Even folks who are not active participants in the church know this commandment or ones similar to it.

But is it new? Hardly. Loving one another is part of Jewish tradition, is present in the Greco-Roman world around them, and is seen in other religious traditions as well.

Loving those with whom we agree or are partial to is the easy part. Loving the rest of the folks we meet is a much harder proposition. But this will not be news to those sitting in the pews of your church or next to you in Bible Study. It is a part of the human condition to love and to want to be loved. Reality is ... it's easier to love those who are more loving and lovable. It is said that St. John, in his old age, would remind those around him to love one another. When questioned why he told them this so very often, his reply would be, "Because it is what our Lord commanded. If it is all you do, then it is enough.”

This text focuses on love but the justice part for many is that all of Jesus' disciples will be known by their love of others. For Jesus, love did not mean a sweet sentimental feeling. It meant action. It meant actively loving -- putting one's love into real world activities. This new commandment comes as part of a farewell address by Jesus to his followers. And he does this with a sense of tenderness and mercy.

He commands the disciples to love one another, but he also reminds them that they will continue to feel his presence even though he will not be with them. They will exhibit their discipleship by doing what he commands: by loving one another as he loved them. Here is an opportunity this week to talk about the requirement and justice of love. We so often draw lines about who we will love and who we will be tempted to cast in the role of "less loving" in our lives. This happens in the hearts and minds of both individuals -- and the church. An interesting thing to note in this text is that Jesus is reminding the disciples that they will be known to others by their acts of loving. We would do well to listen to this commandment. We also are called to love others as a mark of our own discipleship.

The way Jesus talks about loving each other is a precursor to the spread of Christianity. As he loved, and that love spread within his inner circle, so too will love spread after he is gone when love is done in his name. This act, to love others, is a distinguishing mark of the followers of Christ then and will continue to be now. Some would say that one of the weaknesses of the church today is the way many Christians do not embody this commandment -- or the others -- commanding his followers to love their neighbor.

Jesus makes plain his call to the disciples. "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples -- when they see the love you have for each other." Jesus was bold and clear then. How much clearer do we need Jesus to be for our own lives of discipleship now?

Father Davis

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