Obedient Love

Today’s Gospel, sometimes referred to as “Jesus’ farewell discourse,” introduces a number of important themes, including the greatest commandment of love. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples shortly before his betrayal, Passion, and crucifixion. But the manner in which the words were spoken suggests something greater—something transcendent of time given the consistency of God’s glorification throughout time. These words, spoken by Jesus, were spoken from heaven, not just for the disciples present, but for all then, now, and evermore.

31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. 34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13: 31-33a; 34-35)

Jesus’ discourse, which continues throughout John 14 and 15, is the best elaborated section of Biblical text detailing the indwelling of the Lord, the Trinity, and the role of all men and women in that mystery. We realize in this verses that our lives as disciples of Christ are mirror and reflect the love of the Godhead—the love between Father and Son which was always present, but made physical and experiential for us in the Incarnation. The glorification Jesus speaks of, of course, is the cross—the moment of self-sacrifice and sacrifice of God the Father for all men, in which we are fully invited into the redemptive love of the Trinity. Our lives are more fully realized, in that moment, as a portion of the glory of the loving Lord, and as vessels of His love, we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Speaking to His disciples as children—again mirroring His own relationship with the Father in Heaven—Jesus provides a new commandment. Love. This commandment is not new, in and of itself, as He has been preaching a similar message throughout His ministry. But the manner in which this love is made present and tangible is entirely new. Whereas prior to Christ, love was a widely known directive, the mystery of the Incarnation made this love completely and radically new—mediated by the physical presence of a loving God. The disciples, and us through them, are able to more fully partake of this love—present for eternity—but made new and more fully possible through the Incarnation. This love is the core of Christianity and our relationship with Christ, who in turn, loves the Father.

This all-consuming and profound love is revealed not in a simple feeling or emotion, but in obedience to the Lord. As we recognize that God’s will alone is the perfect good of any moment in our lives, true love—the love offered by Christ—is that which acts in complete obedience to the perfect good of God’s will. As one becomes more and more able, though the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, to discern and follow God’s perfect will, feelings of love, compassion, and concern will well up and shower humanity with goodness.

In the month of May, we are reminded that the perfect example of this type of obedient love is found in the Blessed Virgin, Mary, our Heavenly Mother (also written about here). From the moment of the Annunciation to the day she stood beneath the cross as Jesus suffered and died for us, the life of Mary serves as the epitome of obedient love. And through her love, the joy and suffering of the life of Christ—mirrored in her own joy and suffering as a loving mother—were made possible. We look to Our Blessed Mother as a perfect example of the love which Jesus spoke about, praying for her intercession that we may be more obedient and loving disciples of Our Lord.





Today’s Psalm: Psalm 8: The Majesty of God and the Dignity of Man
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!



Day 122 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Obedient Love and Dignity in the Lord.
Requested Intentions: For financial security and housing for a son (B); For a friend undergoing a medical procedure (L); A father’s birthday (J); Restoration and healing of marriage, family, and financial situation (M); For the repose of the soul of M (J); Financial security and employment (A); For financial security (M); Health and recovery of Cardinal Sean Brady (R); Healing from a chronic illness (J); Deepening of faith and true conversion for a family (J); Successful employment (H); Restoration of a marriage (J); For a friend’s daughter, seeking medical treatment for a blood disorder (D).

Psalm: Psalm 8: The Majesty of God and the Dignity of Man