Today’s gospel reading from John (13:31-35) belongs to that section called The Last Discourse (13:31- 17-26), which immediately follows the Last Supper that opens the second part of the gospel called the “the Book of Glory”. The short reading refers to Jesus’ leave-taking and his new commandment of love.
The word ‘kainos’ (καινος) is used with the exclusive meaning “new” in both mundane and highly significant contexts. Thus the adjective describes something primarily in the sense of “fresh”, first, with regard to material substances and objects (e.g. wine, wineskin, new tomb). And second those with distinctive theological significance, especially in relation to the “new” phenomena associated with the coming of the new covenant age as embodied in the person and work of Christ, (e.g. wine of the Passover Feast celebrated at the Last Supper represents the blood of the “new covenant”).
Newness is the theme in today’s readings: in the first (Acts 14:21-27), Paul and Barnabas report at the end of the first journey the admission of Gentiles to the Church; in the second (Rev 21:1-5), John witnesses the end time marriage of Christ and his Church in the midst of a creation made completely new; in the gospel Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment (v 34; repeated in 15:12,17). It is not in itself a new one (cf Lev 19:18). It’s novelty lies primarily in its being the major precept of a new covenant that establishes a new heart-centered relationship between God and his people (Jer 31:31-34). It is new as the expression of the Spirit which makes its observance possible. The precept is also new in its exemplarity being based on the love the love that Christ has shown for his disciples in handing himself over to death for his followers, a greater love than which cannot be envisioned (15:13). This type of love which will become manifest to others is to serve as the true apologetic of Christianity (v35). Not by word or teaching or even martyrdom will the followers of Christ be recognized but by the intensity of their mutual love.
Is Christ’s love truly mirrored in our own? Is our love as radical as his, ready to offer our life for others without exception. Remember “tunay ngang mas radikal ang magmahal”! For that radical love is contagious, it touches and moves other hearts to do the same.
