John 13:31-35
When Judas had gone from the upper room, Jesus said: “Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified. If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify his very soon. My little children, I shall not be with you much longer.
You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come. I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
GUIDELINES TO HELP US TO MEDITATE ON THE PASSAGE SO AS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE GOD’S PRESENCE AND ACTIVITY IN OUR LIVES AND WORLD TODAY.
“and in him God has been glorified” Lord, we thank you for great, brave people in our lifetime; Martin Luther King, Archbishop Romero and others like them whom we have known who suffered for speaking out for the injustices inflicted on their communities. Their names will be remembered for their goodness, while those who committed the treachery will be forgotten. Lord, forgive us for the times we may have compromised our integrity to those in authority in order to further our career or position. Teach us to put our trust and hope in you so that you can “glorify us in yourself”.
“Where I am going, you cannot come”. Can you remember a time in your life when you, or someone close to you had to face something alone? “Where I am going you cannot come” – sitting exams, interview, illness, emigration even death. We offer a prayer of petition for all those in our lives who are facing difficult challenges at this time and we pray that they will find courage and strength in knowing that even though they must “act alone” there are some who will be carrying them in their hearts. We pray especially for all students sitting exams.
“Love one another just as I have loved you, you must love one another” Can you think of people whose lives have been a gift of love to others? By their witness to the gospel of love they have “glorified God in themselves” -revealed God to us, and uplifted and empowered those around them. We think of people like Jean Vanier (founder of L’Arche) who died last week. May he rest in peace. We also of think of people closer to home in our own families who by their selfless love and compassion preached this message in the way they lived their lives.