³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Dear Lord Jesus,

This new commandment truly sums up so many commandments in one simple sentence. In your infinite wisdom you have given us these words, which are exactly what we need. Our love for others, not to mention our love for you, is so imperfect and falls so short.

And yet among your disciples this love should be obvious. Forgive us for not loving your followers as we should. Take away the judgmental attitudes, the pride, the propensity we have to always think well of our own motives, opinions and values while assuming that others much less often get these things right. None of this is based on love.

Fill us with the love that you have for us so that we might express it to others. Help us to love others with a willingness to sacrifice ourselves for their benefit, even as you gave yourself for us.

And let all people everywhere see this love in us. Let our love for your people and the mutual love among us be obvious. We need you Lord Jesus to immerse us in your love so that it might overflow from us toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.

And let the end result of this love be to glorify your name.

Amen