Scripture Sentence – Psalm 36:7-9

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

Collect for the Day

Almighty and ever-living God,
in tender love for all our human race
you sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take our flesh
and suffer death upon a cross.
Grant that we may follow
the example of his great humility,
and share in the glory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reading John 13:31-35

When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. 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.’

Reflection

Love is more than just an emotion we feel. Real love is a choice we make about how to treat another person. This chapter of the Bible opens with Jesus deciding to show his disciples the full extent of his love (John 13:1).

Then in an act that anticipates his sacrifice on the cross he takes a basin, fills it with water, and begins to wash his disciples’ feet. Jesus was their teacher and their lord, but he preforms the task of a servant to show his disciples the kind of love that they should have for each other. A love that is humble, that is kind, that is gentle, and a love that practically serves the needs of others. And then he says to them, ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ (v.34)

As Jesus loves us so must we love each other, and as Jesus serves us so must we serve each other. Even though much of our lives are restricted at the moment, let us remember that love knows no limits and look for ways to show love to each other today. 

Prayer

God of all goodness and grace,
you are worthy of a greater love
that we can either give or understand.
Fill our hearts with such love for you,
that nothing may seem too hard for us
to do or suffer
in obedience to your will.
And grant that, loving you,
we may daily become more like you,
and finally obtain the crown of life
which you have promised
to those who love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God of love,
through your Son
you gave us a new commandment,
to love one another as he loved us.
In his Spirit we ask you
for a mind forgetful of past injury,
a will to seek the good of others
and a heart full of love to all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen