Lectionary: 54
Read: John 13:31a-33a, 34-35
Gospel Summary
While Jesus was with his disciples at the Last Supper, he pointed toward his future glory following his death and resurrection where he would be reunited with his Father in heaven. He also gave the disciples a command: to love one another. But the disciples didn’t have to figure out how to do this on their own. Jesus told them to love one another in the same way he had loved them.
Reflection for Families
Jesus wanted the disciples to love one another and all followers with a binding love. It is this same kind of love that binds families together. When other people turn their backs and walk away, it is symbolic of Jesus’ love that families are bound by a love incomparable anywhere else in our own experience. We fail at times, but rarely in any other setting do we see anything close to the unconditional love God has for us, as we see in the love parents show their children.
Bringing the Gospel into Your Family
Find someone in your neighborhood, school, place of work, or within your family who sometimes feels left out. Reach out to that person with the kind of love Jesus describes in this Gospel. Make them feel welcome and know they are a child of God. Perhaps you will send them a greeting card, say a special prayer for them, visit them, or invite them to your home. When your action is complete, share with one another where you saw Jesus in the experience you had with the person.
Discussion Starters
- There is someone I’ve been wanting to love as Jesus loves me. To show him/her, this week I will . . .
- What I think Jesus is really asking of me in this Gospel is . . .
- The greatest witness I ever saw to Jesus’ love was when . . .
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