If you were dying and someone asked you, “Do you have any last words?” what would your words be? The setting of today’s passage from John’s Gospel is the last supper, so we are hearing some of Jesus’ “last words,” the words the Evangelist thought were the most important of all the words Jesus said. Those words are about love. It is love that starts with God (“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you); love that makes possible a relationship of friendship with God (“I will not call you servants but friends”); love that is founded on knowledge of God (“I have told you everything I have heard from my Father”); love that requires a response from us (“keep my commandments … remain in my love”). No matter our age, being loving is a challenge — especially when I consider my attitudes and judgments toward people I don’t like; people I find difficult, demanding, frustrating, annoying; people who have hurt me. This Gospel calls us to look at this essence of being a Christian — love — and to let God’s light shine on our love life to illuminate where we still need be better lovers.
– Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia