Love One Another: “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” An astounding discovery! The Easter news continues to spread to all who would listen. The disciples told people, who in turn, told people, and to this day, we hear the message — a message of weeping and then of joy that comes with the morning of a new day. We to like the disciples weep AND then delight in the joy bursting forth in us. We to are called to bring this message with our lives, and, if necessary, with words, to those who have not yet heard it.

Soon Jesus will not be appearing so concretely to the disciples. So, does he give them a complex strategic plan? No. He gives them a new commandment, and this will cover all they need to do. The world will recognize them as followers of Jesus because of the way they love each other.

We invite you to reflect on what this passage tells us about God. Also, reflect on what this passage tells us about people. Finally, reflect on what this passage tells us about the relationship between God and people.

Would the world know that we are disciples by watching the way we love? How do we “love” those who are hard to love? Our enemies? Those who could harm us? How do we think our relationship with God might improve if we made more of an effort to love?

Prayer: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.