Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Our culture has skewed the meaning of the word ‘love’ – towards something that is sweet and light and fluffy. The Greek used here is better translated as ‘self-sacrificing love’. To love as Jesus did means to love fully, completely, until the end. We might be able to accomplish that for one or two people – wife, husband, partner, children – but Jesus is asking the disciples to love each other in that way. This sets the bar high! But as much as we can do so, we strengthen our relationships immeasurably. We build community.

For the young people in our care, loving in this way flies in the face of the short-term dalliances and commodification of relationships that are promoted in our culture. As much as each of us can love as Jesus did we will be being true to ourselves and our communities – living in the image of the God of love in whom we were created.

Have a great week!

Patrick