To love one another
In today’s readings, we witness Jesus breaking bread and washing His disciples’ feet as acts of radical love and service. When I was a child, I thought of these actions in simple, innocent terms: Isn’t it so nice of Jesus to serve His friends? As an adult, I am aware that there is far more to this story. Why does Jesus choose to eat and serve with the very disciples He knows are about to betray and deny Him?
Jesus’ new commandment in today’s Gospel—to “love one another as I have loved you”—feels far more daunting when I consider the implications. How do I love those who betray my trust and loyalty? How do I love those who deny our shared humanity? How can I love those who reject the dignity of my most vulnerable neighbors? How can I love those who act against the Common Good?
This is the challenge and the invitation of Jesus’ radical love. To love one another as He has loved us means expanding our circle of care, extending our service, and embracing the sacrifice required to love even those who have hurt or denied us. This is a love rooted in radical humility, solidarity, forgiveness, and service.
This Lent, I have felt an acute call to embody this love in practical, incarnate ways. As a volunteer, I spend time with neighbors in my community who face overwhelming challenges and barriers to thriving. Often, I find myself at a loss for words, trying to provide comfort and offer material aid whenever possible. Sometimes we pray together. Sometimes we hug. Sometimes we cry. Sometimes we do all of these.
These moments remind me that I cannot claim freedom if my neighbors remain burdened by unemployment, food insecurity, loneliness or systemic injustices. I am not free until my neighbors are free. The systems that I, too, am complicit in have betrayed them, denying them the right to live and thrive. To love one another as Jesus loved us means resisting this complicity and working tirelessly for liberation and justice—for all of us.
Who in my life or community am I being called to love, serve or forgive, even when it feels uncomfortable or challenging?
How might I step beyond my fears or biases to embody Jesus’ radical love and humility?
God,
Help me to respond to Jesus’ call to humility and service;
May my love not be limited by fear, hopelessness or prejudice;
Make me an advocate for peace, an instrument of aid for those in need and a justice worker for the oppressed.
AMEN.
Kelly Hickman serves as the Director of Development for Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest and Co-President of the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Edward Parish in Seattle, WA, where she lives.