"Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." John 13:1
I wonder what it would mean for us to take up the example of Jesus to love "to the end." When the darkest hour comes knocking at our door – when betrayal, denial, and death nip at our heels – will (or do) we yet love? Will the fire that threatens to destroy us instead become a refiner's fire, melting away fear and ego until all that remains is the love of a servant and friend?
O Christ compassionate, as earthly vessels for your burning heart, may we remember through trial and tribulation that the strongest and most lasting force in this cosmos is your love. Grant us what we need to love one another, and to remain servants and friends to the end. Amen.Â
Deacon Clare Josef-Maier
