Vol. 11, No. 4, November, 2006

Love One Another Part 2
by Sr. Brigid Meierotto, S.N.C.

In this teaching, we will accept the word of God, the Scriptures into our hearts and minds, letting them be light to us. The Scriptures are the inspired word of God which has the power to accomplish what it says, for us. Yes, for us, right here. Right now!

The Scripture we are reflecting upon is Acts 10; Psalm 98; 1 John 4:7-10; John 14:34f; John 15:9-17. Read these passages slowly, prayerfully.

As you read the Scripture, in your heart ask the Holy Spirit to explain to you the message that the Lord has for you personally. Do not doubt that the Lord Jesus will do this for you, because that is why he came, so that you can get to know and to love Jesus. "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:25f). Ask the Holy Spirit what you desire from him...something like this: "O Holy Spirit, Jesus said that you would teach me all things and I believe him. Teach me what the love of God means! Teach me what love means! Teach me what I have to do to abide in Jesus' love! Teach me what I must do in order to be Jesus' friend! Thank you, O Holy Spirit."

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave a new commandment to his disciples, and to us:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

That night, after eating the Passover with his disciples, Jesus gave himself over to his passion, laying down his life for us, so that we might have life, life eternal with him. In giving his life for Jesus shows us how he loves us. Jesus shows us how we are to love one another. It is this love that testifies to the truth that we are Jesus' disciples.

Jesus uses another word at the Last Supper to describe the relationship that he desires to have with us, that he desires to have with every person: friends:

"You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14).

"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

What a wonderful life Jesus opens up for us -- a life of relationship with himself, and with his Father, and with the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father! Five times at this Passover meal, Jesus tells us that the Counselor, the Spirit of truth is coming:

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak....He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you" (John 16:13-15).

Through our relationship with Jesus, the Father and the Spirit of truth, we are empowered to obey Jesus' new commandment to love one another!

"In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us we also ought to love one another " (1 John 4:11).

Closing prayer: "Thank you, Spirit of love, Thank you for teaching me what the love of God means! Thank you for teaching me what I have to do to abide in Jesus' love and to love every person he has made! Thank you for teaching me what love the Lord has for us, for all his people! Thank you, O Holy Spirit." Now the prayer to Mary:

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!"