Gospel: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”

Reflection:

Our gospel for today is from John 13:31-33,34-35. “Love one another as I have loved you. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Jesus never failed to tell His disciples how He loved them and that they also must love one another. In John 13:31-33,34-35, we can see the greatest love of God for His disciples.

Before His final meal, Jesus told His disciples about the great love He has for them. Somehow Judas was the only one whose heart walks another path. Consumed by greed, Judas betrays Jesus.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in the shoes of Judas. The gospel in John 13:31-33,34-35 will always leave us with some note to ponder. Greed blinded us sometimes that we forgot to give thanks to Jesus for His great love for us. 

There is a song entitled “Live Fully“ with these lyrics:

Live fully this moment, do not dwell in the past

Don’t be concern about tomorrow

Be present to each other with hearts full of love

Be alive in the reality of now

Love one another as I have loved you

Take a risk and open up your heart

This song somehow has the same meaning with the gospel from John 13:31-33,34-35. This song tells us the Jesus always loves us no matter what. We have also to open our hearts for our brothers and sisters in faith.

To love one another means to be concern with your fellowmen. To be humble and do charity as long as you can do it. To be a gift to your family, friends and relatives. To be a giver to those who needed even in some little ways.

To be a good Samaritan in the world of greed and pride. This is the true meaning of the gospel. We have to reflect too so that we can find the door to open up to other people. – Clea | Helpline PH