The Gospel this week comes from a place in the narrative that precedes the Cruxifion. We’re jumping back in the storyline, given that we’ve been hearing about the post-Resurrection experience since Easter Day. And the Gospel lesson seems to assume that we know the whole story, not just what happens prior to Jesus’ betrayal and death because if we just imagine it within the narrative arc, it doesn’t carry the same stunning meaning.

Jesus is asking us to love each other as he loves us. Though to be clear, he’s not asking, he’s commanding. And the setting is which he gives the commandment and what happens just before and right after… well, it’s quite the challenge to us. 

(You can hear more about that in the sermon.)

And what would it look like today to live a life that keeps Jesus’ final commandment to the Church? Well, that’s worth exploring.

You can view the sermon directly here.