Chosen to Love

Chosen to Love

Gospel Reflection: John 15:12-17

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a commandment that lies at the very heart of Christian life: “Love one another as I have loved you.” These words, spoken by Christ shortly before His Passion, invite us into a profound mystery—not simply to love as we wish, but to love as He has loved.

Christ’s love is not abstract or distant; it is personal, sacrificial, and self-giving. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus not only preached this love—He lived it. On the Cross, He laid down His life, not just for those who were faithful, but for sinners, for those who abandoned Him, even for His enemies. In this, He redefined what it means to be a friend.

Remarkably, Jesus calls us friends. He does not treat us as servants who blindly obey, but as companions who share in His mission. “I have called you friends,” He says, “because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” This intimate friendship with Christ is both a gift and a calling. It means we are invited into the divine conversation between the Father and the Son, and we are expected to carry that love into the world.

Moreover, Jesus reminds us, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” This is not merely about vocation in a narrow sense—it is the reality for every baptized person. Each of us is chosen by God, not because of our merit, but out of divine love and purpose. We are chosen to bear fruit, the fruit of love, mercy, and justice. And this fruit must last—it must take root in our hearts and overflow into every relationship we have.

To love as Christ loves is no easy task. It demands forgiveness when we are hurt, generosity when we are tired, patience when we are frustrated, and joy even in sacrifice. But we are not alone. The love of Christ, poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, empowers us to live this commandment each day.

Key Takeaway:
Jesus chose you to be His friend and to love others as He has loved you—freely, fully, and sacrificially. Let this love shape your words, your actions, and your witness in the world.