Behold, I make all things new!
In this Sunday's second reading from the Book of Revelation we have a beautiful statement that comes from the mouth of God: “Behold, I make all things new.” This statement, in the context of the reading itself, is in relation to God's recreation of the entire universe, both the physical world and the heavenly realms, on the Last Day. It is through Christ's death and resurrection that this is all made possible. This reality, known as the Paschal Mystery, is something Jesus alluded to over and over again. It is through our dying to ourselves, whether in a physical way or through a spiritual path of renewal, that we are opened up to the greater realities to come. And Jesus' own glorified and resurrected body is a promise of the new reality that awaits us all!
In the Gospel reading, taken from John's Last Supper account, Jesus also lays down something new for his disciples on earth: "I give you a new commandment: love one another." In a sense, when we choose to live our lives by this commandment, to truly love one another as Jesus has loved us, there is a spiritual death that takes place. Love, true and unselfish love, is hard. It involves sacrifice, it involves heartache, it requires forgiveness. And Jesus is not saying loving in this way is an option or suggestion, but a commandment! If we wish to follow him and be his disciples we must seek to love like he loves! And Jesus makes this clear when he finishes this Gospel by saying: "This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In a world that constantly tells us to do what is best for ourselves and to think of ourselves first and foremost, the call to love as Jesus loves is certainly a challenge. But, we are assured by Jesus that it is worth it. There is something good that comes from loving in this way. We die to ourselves and, through that, are able to experience something new and better. So let us pray, this week, that we may grow in our ability to love like Jesus loves. For, it is only through loving in this way that we will be able to experience to the new and better things that are to come!
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