In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a very important message about love. He says, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It sounds simple, but loving like Jesus is not easy. His love is different from ordinary love. It is full of patience, kindness, and sacrifice. It is a love willing to suffer for others and to forgive, even when it is difficult.
Jesus spoke these words after Judas had left the Last Supper. He knew that someone close to Him would soon betray Him. He knew He would suffer and die. Yet even with this knowledge, Jesus still chose to focus on love. He showed us that love is the greatest commandment. Even in the face of pain and betrayal, He never stopped loving.
As a seminarian, this Gospel reminds me that my vocation is not only about prayer or studying Scripture. It is about loving people—especially when it is difficult. There are times when I feel tired or misunderstood. There are moments when I feel like giving up. But Jesus calls me to keep loving. He wants me to be patient, kind, and forgiving. That is what it means to be His disciple.
Many young people today are afraid to love deeply. Sometimes we get hurt by others, or we fear rejection. Because of this, we often keep our hearts closed. We don’t want to be vulnerable. But Jesus calls us to be brave. He invites us to open our hearts and love the way He loves. This is not always easy, but it is what He asks of us.
Love can be shown in small and simple ways every day. We can help a friend who is sad. We can listen to someone who needs to talk. We can speak kind words to our family and forgive those who hurt us. These small acts of love are powerful. They show that Jesus lives in us. They show that we are truly His followers.
This message is not only for priests or religious—it is for everyone, especially young people. Jesus wants us to be a light in the world, and our light shines brightest when we love. Love is the mark of a true disciple. When people see our love, they see Jesus too.
Today, I ask myself:
Do I love like Jesus?
Do people feel His kindness through me?
Can others tell that I follow Christ by the way I treat them?
These are difficult questions, but they are important. Loving is not always easy. But love is the true sign that we belong to Jesus.
So let us pray for the courage to love. Let us ask Jesus to help us love even when it’s hard. Because through love, we show the world who Jesus is. Through love, we follow His commandment.
May our hearts always be open to love—just as Jesus loves us.
