In our reflection on the twenty-fifth day of the retreat, we mentioned that while “hope” may seem small in the eyes of most people, it bears the important role of leading and propelling both “faith” and “love”. It has the power to move people into action. In His farewell message during the Last Supper, Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Jesus did not only teach this with words, He acted. He got up to wash His disciples’ feet, setting an example for them, encouraging them to develop an attitude and habit of serving one another, because love without action is dead.

Even as He faced suffering and the anticipated crucifixion on the cross, Jesus retained inner freedom and strength, and was able to wash His disciples’ feet and patiently taught them. This not only demonstrated His deep love for His disciples but also showed how the Holy Spirit empowered Him through hope.

In fact, when we possess true “faith” and “hope”, we naturally gain the capacity to “love”. We must remember that the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love are gifts from God. All actions grounded in these virtues draw their strength and motivation from the Holy Spirit. From Jesus, we witness the mighty supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

It was the power of the Holy Spirit that moved Jesus, who loves us to the end, to take up His cross and embark on the Way of the Cross towards Calvary. On the cross, He gave up His life for us, not only fulfilling the new commandment of love with His actions, but elevating its spirit to a new height.

In John 15:12–14, Jesus reaffirms His command to love one another:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

Jesus wasn’t speaking empty words. He meant what He said. He truly sees us as His friends, His most beloved friends.

However, He didn’t only die for His friends, but also for His enemies and even for those who crucified Him. That is the true essence of love taught by God. This kind of love doesn’t seek its own benefit. It thinks solely of the good of others, without any conditions and without expecting anything in return. Jesus calls us to love as He did, even to love our enemies.

This is what He taught in Luke 6:27–28: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” So Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not just for His friends. It was for His enemies as well, because He loves them all.

We might think, “Jesus could do that because He is the Son of God. How could we ever reach that level of love?” But we must understand that  Jesus will never ask us to do something that is impossible for us. True, we cannot do it on our own. But by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love that He has given us, we can. We must remember that with God, nothing is impossible!

Jesus wants us to witness from Him that, as a true man, empowered by the Holy Spirit and the virtues of faith, hope and love, He was able to fulfill the great mission entrusted to Him by the Father. In the same way, through the grace and strength given to us by the same Holy Spirit, we too can accomplish the great works that God wants to work in us.

Therefore, Jesus continues in John 15:15–17: “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” (John 15:12-17)

Indeed, through His teachings and His role model, Jesus has revealed to us everything He heard from the Father. He wants us to continue His mission and has chosen us to bear lasting fruit, the fruits born of faith, hope, and love.

And as we fulfill the mission that our Heavenly Father has given us, we can boldly ask for whatever we need in Jesus’ name, and the Father will grant them to us!.

Reflection

Have you ever felt overwhelmed or powerless when trying to live out the virtue of love? Reflect on the reasons behind that feeling.

Learn from Jesus’ actions of love and His great love for you, expressed by His death on the cross. When you lack the motivation or strength to live out love, what can inspire you to pick up the strength and carry on?

Now, in prayer, ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and wisdom to discern how to cooperate with Him in your daily life to live out Jesus’ teachings and fulfill the mission the Father has entrusted to you.

Today’s Prayer

My beloved Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for all the suffering and humiliation You endured for me, and for Your innocent death on the cross because of my sins. Looking at You on the cross, my heart aches deeply. I dare not, but cannot help but ask: What can I do for You?

I understand that Your love for me is unconditional. You do not want me to do something for You. You only ask for my repentance. You only hope that I will not repeat the same mistakes. I know You want me to learn from Your example, to become more like You, so that others may recognize me as Your disciple through the way I live out love.

However, I really don’t have the confidence and ability to learn to love others as You love me.

Holy Spirit, please come upon me. Grant me the virtues of faith, hope, and love, and all the strength I need to fulfill this new commandment Jesus has given me. Please strengthen my faith again, so that I may know that even though I cannot do it, I believe God can!

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