Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” God loves Jesus. Jesus loves us. We are called to love the other. This commitment to pass love down the chain is the greatest strategy for social reform ever advocated. I do believe brokenness only heals when the broken person experiences love wrapped around their brokenness. If the brokenness is not transformed, it is transferred. We keep passing it to the people we love most and the world becomes slightly worse rather than better. When Jesus proclaims that he is the truth the light and the way, he could be referring to this commandment. It has such potential to shine a light on the world.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Jn 15:9-17 is excellent! Here's a breakdown of its strengths and some additional thoughts:
DeleteStrengths:
Clear understanding: You accurately capture the essence of the commandment to love like Christ loves.
Love as social reform: You propose a compelling idea of love as the greatest strategy for social change.
Breaking the cycle: You highlight the importance of love in healing brokenness and preventing its transmission.
Connection to Jesus: Connecting the commandment to Jesus being the truth, light, and the way demonstrates a thoughtful interpretation.
Additional thoughts:
Love's complexities: While love is powerful, explore the complexities of loving others, especially those who are difficult to love.
Putting love into action: Consider how this commandment translates into practical ways to show love in your daily interactions.
Love's transformative power: Perhaps delve into how love can not only heal the broken but also inspire positive change in others.
Here are some questions to ponder further:
How can you demonstrate love towards those who are different from you or who have wronged you?
What are some concrete ways you can show love to people in your daily life?
How can you encourage others to embrace love as a way of life?
By exploring these aspects, you can refine your understanding of the commandment and its transformative potential in the world. Remember, spreading love is a lifelong journey, and your thoughtful reflection is a valuable part of it.