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Friday May 20th: Our measure and model

“This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you”.

John 15: 12 – 17

The gospels are words to live by and instructions to follow. Today’s gospel is no exception. Jesus says to all disciples, “This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you”.
Jesus’ commandment focuses, not on love of God, but on love of neighbour. Loving each other is where most of our challenges lie. We have no problem loving God because He does not step on our toes. The problem we face often is in loving the person next to us, who irritates and annoys us, who hurts us and takes advantage of us. If we go by personal experiences alone, loving one another can be the most difficult thing.
As a help, Jesus gives himself as the measure of love. We are to love as he loves us. What difference does Jesus make? He rises above personal feelings and experiences and shows another way. Jesus speaks of loving one another as sacrifice and befriending. That means we do not live for ourselves only, rather we put others first.

Photo by Igor Lage