Working with the Word

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases: new commandment, Son of Man glori!ed, God is glori!ed, As I have loved you ... love one another

To the point: Jesus' new commandment is “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” The nature of our love as disciples is speci!c, singular, incomparable: we are to love to the extent and in the manner Jesus loved. Our love is to be the self-sacri!cing love of Jesus. It is this kind of love which brings Jesus glory. It is this kind of love which brings God glory. It is this kind of love which enables us to share in that same glory.

Connecting the Gospel …

... to the first reading: When we live Jesus' new commandment of love, the results are dramatic: “a new heaven and a new earth,” “new Jerusalem,” indeed, “all things new” (Second Reading).

... to experience: We are keen on underscoring obligation—we must “love one another.” This is only possible because of the power and grace which come from our first being loved by God.

**From Saint Louis University