Yesterday in Saint Peter's Square, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims and visitors as he normally does every Sunday. In his remarks, he reflected on the scriptures for the day, and spoke about the new commandment that Jesus gave to his disciples: ... As I have loved you, so you should love one another (Jn 13:34). His Holiness went on to explain that although the Mosaic Law had already commanded us to love God (cf Lv 19:18), and although Jesus had already pointed out the importance of loving our neighbour as ourselves (cf Mt 22:38-39), the commandment to love was made new by the addition of the requirement to love as I have loved you.
In the light of this new commandment, we can read today's gospel passage afresh. Jesus explains to his disciples: whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him him and we will come to him (Jn 14:23). This is consoling news for us. We already know that our Father is infinitely more capable of loving than any human being could ever hope to love, but Jesus commands us to love as he has loved us - with infinite love, and he assures us that if we strive to love him in this way, we will have divine assistance to help us accomplish the task of fulfilling this love.
Today, as we observe the liturgical memorial of Saint Bernardine of Siena, let us ask this holy man to intercede for us. While he was still on earth, he already knew that the last degree of love that Jesus showed his disciples occurred when he gave himself to us to be our Food because he gave himself to us to be united with us in every way. If we have been loved so deeply, we too should strive to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
Have a great day.
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