Scripture Scribbles: May 15, 2022
the Gospel
Jn 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.”
the devotion
Jesus telling us “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” is quite a hefty commandment He gives us.
“As I have loved you.”
When I open my heart and pray with this phrase, the incredible sacrifice Jesus made comes into focus. How has Jesus loved me? With absolute unconditional love. A love that understands the darkest parts of my life experience and the lightest parts of my joy. A love that forgives and shows Mercy. A love that convicts me to live my life according to His will and not my own. A love that deeply desires my ultimate freedom and joy united with Him in eternity.
I can experience a glimpse of this in the Sacraments or through the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy. However, I am not just called to experience Christ glorified and relish in this love alone.
Jesus calls each one of us to love another as He has loved us. Gulp.
That’s a tall order to fill! I’m not worthy! None of us are, but Jesus left us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to love others as He has loved us — as He continues to love us.
Love is not saying, “You do you and everything you decide for you is ok.”
It’s also not a feeling either.
It calls us to be humble, make wise decisions, and not judge others on their journey - instead, pray for them.
Love stretches us.
Love grows us.
Love allows us to see one another as a beloved child of God
while also calling each other to grow into who God intended us to be as His disciples.
How are you called to love another today and spread the good news Christ left us?
Today’s devotion is written by Diana Giard.
