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Greetings!
A much-quoted saying attributed to Mahatma Gandhi gives us Christians pause for thought: "I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Whether or not Gandhi actually said this, we do know that he studied the Gospels and that they influenced his philosophy of non-violence/ passive resistance; from his autobiography, we also know that he experienced abuse and discrimination from so-called Christians in both South Africa and the U.K. British statesman, Sir Winston Churchill, for example, dismissed him as “a seditious Middle Temple lawyer, now posing as a fakir of a type well known in the East, striding half-naked up the steps of the Viceregal palace.” Needless to say, Gandhi never converted to Christianity.
If being a Christian means loving one another in the same way that Christ loves us, then we must ask ourselves whether we meet his criteria. Are we in love with God and Creation? Is our loving all-inclusive, unconditional, and freely given? Or do we only love those who mirror our own beliefs, politics, and socio-economic status? Do we exclude those who differ from us in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or physical or mental abilities? In short, do we only love those we find convenient to love?
Jesus' "new" commandment challenges us to reflect on the degree to which we are like him or totally unlike him. Simply put, are we on fire with Love or with hate? Or are we simply tepid?
Elizabeth
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
"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.”
John 13:31-33a, 34-35
Since the entire Jewish Law is based on love of God and neighbor, it is surprising that Jesus would tell his disciples that he is giving them a "new" commandment. For three years, they have heard him preach on love as the guiding spiritual principle. Through his parables and actions, they are familiar with what it means to love one's enemies, to forgive, to be merciful, to love unconditionally, to reach out to the poor and marginalized, and to give without counting the cost... All this aligns with the Torah and the specific attitudes and behaviors that lead to justice and to the practice of "hesed," or loving kindness. The rules of conduct outlined in Lv 19, for example, include leaving behind some of the harvest in the fields for the poor (9-10), avoiding hatred, revenge, and the cherishing of grudges (17-18), and treating "aliens" no differently than "the natives born among you" (33-34). Lv 19:18 specifically states, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In fact, when put to the test by a scholar of the Law, Jesus replies:
“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:37-40)
So, how do we interpret "new"? Clearly, the commandment to love God and neighbor did not originate with Jesus; therefore, our only way of approaching "new" is to examine the context. In the first place, Jesus gives this commandment during the Last Supper, right after he has washed the disciples' feet, including those of Judas. Making no distinction between friend and foe, Jesus humbles himself and serves, taking on a role generally reserved for a slave or servant. Surprisingly, the timing of this action is not upon the arrival of the guests but during the meal itself, indicating that there is something more going on than the observance of tradition. What the disciples receive is an example of love in action, of self-giving, and a letting go of all claims to status, power, and influence. This is the model of the self-sacrificing love that Jesus expects of his disciples; this is how they are to love one another in his memory.
Secondly, Jesus gives his commandment after Judas leaves to betray him; his words are a prelude to his discourses on his approaching death, glorification, unity with the Father, and the coming of the Spirit. Bruce Vawter suggests that the commandment to love is, therefore, "new" because it now extends not only to Jesus' followers but to all people, everywhere. Seen in the context of the Last Supper Discourses, "Christian charity is not to be limited to Christians, but among Christians, it has the special function of mirroring the love of the divine Persons for one another and for the Church" (Jerome Biblical Commentary, 452).
"As I have loved you, so you also should love one another" -- what does this commandment mean for us today?
Clearly, the love Jesus has in mind is more than a feeling and more than love based on reciprocity, tribalism, or convenience. His "new" commandment calls us to love with his love so that we might become Love itself -- manifestations of the Divine Love for all creation.
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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- How does society tend to view Love?
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In what ways does the Acts of the Apostles mirror Jesus' teachings on Love?
- How can you become Love for others?
- What is the greatest obstacle to loving in your life?
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