Meditation for Easter 5
Collect
Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him:
Grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity.
John 13: 31-35
When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him,* God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’
Love one another. Easier said than done.
Those of us who are fortunate and blessed to be in love, have no difficulty with obeying that commandment. It’s harder if that love was in the past, or no longer exists.
Loving family is the most straightforward, but even then it’s not always easy. (Particularly, it seems, for celebrities.)
Loving friends is somewhat easier – at least you can choose who your friends are.
But loving as meant by Jesus – ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους ‘you should love one another’ is something else entirely. Agape love means selflessness, sacrifice, and unconditional care for others. Partner, family, friends – that’s hard enough. But Jesus tells us that isn’t enough. It’s not just ‘love each other’. It’s love …as I have loved you…
So the commandment is a challenge. To love those who betray you. Those who jeer. Those who wield the whips embedded with flint, hammer in the nails, pierce your side. Bury you and think that’s the last they’ll see of you. Forgive them. All of them.
Love as I have loved you, says Jesus.
Spend a few moments asking yourself a question – what if I did?
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