“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.”
Jesus spoke these words at the Last Supper between Judas’s betrayal at the table and Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial. From that position, he gives his disciples the new commandment, the way they will be recognized as his disciples: “love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Through Judas’s betrayal and the Passion that will follow, Jesus’ love of the Father and obedience to his will is accomplished. Through it, Jesus gives glory to the Father and God will glorify Jesus as the Son of Man.
God, please help me understand the depth and breadth of how your Son is glorified. Just as he glorified you through the Passion and resurrection, revealing to others his divine identity, so you ask me to reveal my identity as a disciple by loving one another. Jesus’ obedience to his Father is a model for me also to love and follow him and avoid the alternative paths of betrayal and denial. In Jesus’ fulfillment of the will of the Father, as John describes in the second reading from the Book of Revelation, “there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The old order has passed away, and God has made all things new.
Father in heaven, Abba, be with me today as I receive your grace. Let me understand and appreciate the gifts you give me and return them to you to glorify you in my words and actions.
Today let me give glory to God by loving one another. That is one small way to do as Jesus did by giving glory to the Father through his obedience.