Jesus tells us today that he gives us a new commandment – to love one another just as he has loved us. That seems pretty simple and direct on the surface, doesn’t it? In fact, the young child raised in a Christian family can explain to us that first and foremost, God is love above everything else. But, as we all know very well, to implement this commandment, to love one another, is not so simple, is it?
It is important to note that Jesus did not tell his disciples this commandment at a warm and cuddly moment on their journey. He told them this as they were gathered in the Upper Room for the Last Supper, as he was preparing them for the reality of his upcoming death on the cross. After Jesus had just washed the feet of his disciples as a symbol of servanthood, he told the disciples that one of them would betray him. In response, Judas leaves the gathering in the middle of the night. Jesus declaring this commandment in the midst of this harsh reality shows that loving one another is more than just a warm sentiment. Jesus tells us that even though he will no longer be here living on earth, people will know that we are his disciples by the way we love one another. Jesus is calling us to action.
Applying this commandment to the reality of our world is easier said than done. I remember when I worked at a soup kitchen in Winnipeg as a lay missionary, we served quite a eclectic group of individuals, many of whom were battling a lot of demons in their lives – street people, prostitutes, people confronting addictions of many kinds. Some of the addicts had hit rock bottom so hard that they were sniffing paint, glue, and cleaning solvents in order to get a fix. I realized early on that there were some individuals that I enjoyed interacting with, and others who were so surly and belligerent and obstinate that I would just cringe the moment they entered the soup kitchen, knowing that a confrontation would soon be coming. Those difficult cases were probably the ones who needed my love and compassion and help the most. It was often a challenge for me, handling those tough situations, especially when I was having a rough day myself. And some of those guys really knew how to get under your skin. But isn’t that what the commandment to love one another is all about? In loving one another, we are to bring God’s justice and mercy to our world – we are to proclaim the values of his kingdom in the here and now of our present day reality.
As we reflect upon this commandment of love, we can think about how so many in our world think that if they are enduring any turmoil or sufferings, God is punishing them somehow. Yet, we hear Paul and Barnabas declare in the midst of their arduous missionary travels, any hardships or tribulations they endure are an integral part of their journey to the kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas give honor and glory to God, thanking God for allowing them to open the door of faith for those who became believers. The power to love according to Jesus’ commandment will not seem so impossible or so overwhelming if we see God’s power and grace working within us to help us to love one another.
We have journeying during the Year of Faith this year, working on deepening our own faith, and then evangelizing others. There is no magical formula to doing this – it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It is all part of a process – all part of our journey. Just like Paul and Barnabas, may we see God’s grace at work in the here and now. Let us love one another as Christ loved us.
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