Disciples Love One Another
Readings: Acts 14:21-27; Rev 21:1-5a; John 13:31-33a, 34-35
Scripture: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Refection: I remember watching a heated (and then over-heated debate develop at a parish meeting and thinking to myself, “If this is how we treat each other right here in our own parish where we share common values, no wonder we have trouble showing love to people whose values are completely different than our own.” But then again, maybe it’s easier to act lovingly to people we don’t know!
Today’s Gospel scene occurs just after Jesus has washed the feet of his disciples as they gather for their last meal together. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened at our parish meeting had someone in leadership quietly filled a bowl with water, grabbed a towel, and started washing feet. I’m serious! With our socks and shoes removed, totally unprepared for this ritual, we would all have been on common ground, reduced as it were, to pairs of dirty feet. I have a feeling it would have stripped away the anger and helped us reason together in more loving and respectful way.
In these hours before Jesus is arrested, he is still concerned with his divine mission to demonstrate God’s love to all people, His disciples will only be able to bear witness to him, to welcome others into their community, insofar as they demonstrate love among themselves: respectfully honest with one another, quick to forgive, generous in service, and joyful in their common faith.
Meditation: Flight attendants begin each flight with safety announcements, including instructions to put on your oxygen mask first before helping others do the same in an emergency, It’s not a selfish act; it’s essential and practical. Could showing love to others in our faith communities be likened to that procedure? Can we work on loving each other there first so that we are then able to witness effectively to others that our God is love?
Prayer: Jesus, you command us to love as you love. Give us this day the determination to be generous in our relationships with fellow parishioners
From Daily Reflections for Easter to Pentecost (Rejoice and Be Glad 2025) by Catherine Upchurch
