In today’s Gospel from John 13, Jesus says, “love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love on another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (JN 13:34-35)

   This may remind us of the song, “They Will Know we are Christians by our Love”. If it does, you probably sang the title in perfect melody in your head just now. The fact is, this could not be any more true. You see, we are not identified as Christians simply because we attend Mass every now and then, nor even if we attend every week and some daily Masses in between. We are not identified as Christians by wearing a Crucifix around our necks nor by the bumper stickers on our cars. We are not identified as Christians by our knowledge of the faith or by how much we pray and read The Bible. Though all of these are necessary to our spiritual being, we are identified as Christians by our Love. Most of the world we encounter would not have the slightest idea that we did all the other things anyway. What they will notice is how we treat them and others in our everyday encounters. They will see the compassion we have for others through the patience and love we have for them when they may not be acting very Christian themselves.

   Jesus gave us these words, not as a suggestion as to how to live our lives, He said, “I give you a new commandment; love one another.” (JN 13:34) This is not optional, it is required. Yes it is difficult but with anything worth while, it takes effort. We cannot do this on our own. We must depend on our Lord and God’s grace to strengthen us to persevere. This is attained through living the Sacraments and constant prayer. It is attained through our conviction to live for Christ just as He died for us, with Love.