Today’s gospel is a real game-changer: “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.”
This changes so much. Rather than a vengeful God that is out to put his fear into the people as often the Old Testament is interpreted, we have the revelation of the merciful side of God; the God who loves us so much that he would sacrifice himself for us so that we might be saved; but also the God who loves us all so much that he wants us as a community of people to do what is right, proper and good for the well-being of us all.
And if that means great sacrifices, then so be it. And it reminds us of what St Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “it is just possible that, for a really good person, someone might undertake to die.”
How does that make us feel? Uncomfortable I am sure, particularly if we come from a western background where there is a greater emphasis on the individual, the pursuit of personal goals and less of a role for individuals in the extended family. Relationships have changed whereby different generations don’t support each other in the ways previous generations did; families are remote; people may be isolated.
We also live in a culture that seeks revenge. “An eye for an eye” is frequently used as justification to punish others, but Jesus clearly said that this was no longer tolerable – not eye for an eye, but turn the other cheek. This is not to decry what the Law said in the Old Testament but was a demonstration that humanity has grown to a more mature state where we can handle love and mercy in our consideration of others.
It shows Jesus trusts us, but we need to demonstrate that we justify that trust. We must be able to love in the way that he showed us to love; we need to be compassionate to others and to sacrifice our time and resources for others.
It means taking the fear out of relationships with others (which is standard fare for the portrayal of people we don’t know) and replace it with love. That way we build up the Kingdom on earth and be doing God’s work.
Gospel John 15:9-17 ©
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment:
love one another, as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you
is to love one another.’