What I wouldn’t give if they’d always feel this way, continuing to revere me and always keep all my commands; they’d have a good life forever, they and their children!
JOHN 13:34-35 (MSG)
Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus' new old command: love one another.
DAILY FODDER
Why does Jesus feel the need to command people to love one another? How would his first listners have undersood this directive? What is "new" about the command?
PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for sharing your love with people—even hard to love people—including me. Forgive me for my hohum response. It's not that I don't love you or the people around me but I can be pretty self-absorbed. Help me to get outside myself so that I become a mighty flowing river of love. I understand that this is possible, not just because you command it, but because you love us. Amen
THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
Give us enough food for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing,
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
