REFLECTIONS TODAY
Discipleship is a union of intimate love with Jesus, but love is not to be interpreted merely as emotion. It is also a matter of human decision and action. The one who truly loves Jesus is he who keeps his commandments, or better, the “new commandment” of love, and this is to love one another as Jesus loves the disciples (Jn 13:35). What is striking here is that love is not a one-on-one relationship with Jesus but takes the form of a triad: Jesus-I-brother/sister. To love Jesus is not so much to direct him our love but to address it to the third party: our brethren. This is clearly the thought of John when he comments on the relationship of the love for Jesus and keeping his commandments, “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar” (1 Jn 2:4). Furthermore, John writes on the love of God (and of Jesus) which must be shown through the love of neighbor, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 Jn 4:20).
Responsorial Psalm • Ps 115
“Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.” or “Alleluia.”Gospel • Jn 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).*