Fr Robert Hendrickson

“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Dear Friends in Christ,

In John 13:31–35, today’s Gospel, Jesus delivers a profound directive: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” This command, given after Judas’ departure to betray him, underscores the transformative power of love even amidst impending betrayal and suffering.

In today’s world, marked by division and strife, this message resonates deeply. The recent escalation of conflicts in various regions, including the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, highlights humanity’s struggle to embody this divine love.

These and countless more events are stark reminders of the consequences when love is absent from our actions and decisions.

Jesus’s love was not passive; it was active and sacrificial. He washed his disciples’ feet, including Judas’, demonstrating humility and service. This simple act challenges us to extend love beyond our comfort zones, reaching out to those we might find difficult to love—especially those.

We are called to constantly examine our responses to the world’s challenges and hold them up against Christ’s example. Are we perpetuating division, or are we agents of reconciliation?

Embracing Jesus’s command means advocating for justice, offering compassion, and seeking unity. It’s through such love that we truly become His disciples, illuminating a path of hope in a fractured world.

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Robert