I ask you, not as though I were writing a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another.

This is the only reading we have from John’s second letter. It focuses on the one commandment Jesus said he was leaving us at the Last Supper: loving one another as he has loved us. He then proved the depth of his love by giving his life for us. Situating his command in this context makes it more than simply a commandment. It is a loving response to God for having deeply loved us. John adds: “Anyone who is so ‘progressive’ as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God.”

This teaching is a reminder that Christian living is not simply following a set of rules. It is basing our lives on the one who was willing to die for us. It is strengthening a relationship. It is learning what it truly means to love. We desire to do everything to please the one we love, and this is never difficult.

We are not left to navigate this journey of love alone. We have been blessed with the Scriptures, particularly the New Testament, as our compass. Here, we discover God’s unwavering love for his people and his desire to form a covenant with us to strengthen our bonds. We also find guidance in the teachings and example of Jesus, showing us what God expects from his children. And we have the Eucharist, a sacred gathering at Christ’s table, where we partake in the bread and wine that fortify us to remain faithful. This is the essence of living in love.

How can I refine my love for Jesus in light of the teachings in this reading?

Let Us Pray:

O Jesus, I know that you love me. Help me live my life in gratitude for all you have done for me.