This Sunday’s Gospel opens with the passage, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him….” In the first verses of today’s Gospel (Vv. 31-32), the verb “glorify” appears five times. But the occasion in which Jesus speaks of “glory” was not the best of times for seeking glory, as the world understands it. He is in the “Upper Room” and only a few hours away from his capture and condemnation to death. John recorded in four chapters his farewell discourse – the final Will before his death.
The common understanding of the word “glorify” is attaining people’s approval and praise, gaining fame and popularity, obtained by those who reach a prestigious position. Everyone desires, yearns, and struggles for this glory of the world. People who seek the glory of the world often distance themselves from God.
But the glory that Jesus speaks of is different. In his glory, God does not astound people with a demonstration of his strength. God’s glory is manifested not in humiliating his enemies or performing a miraculous sign. On the contrary, God reveals his glory in the betrayal by a person whom Jesus had handpicked and trained for three years. His glory is displayed on the Way of the Cross and in his passion and death. God reveals his glory in the apparent failures in the eyes of the world.
A few days earlier, Jesus had made it clear that the glory that awaited him was the moment of sacrificing his life, by which he would reveal to the world the great love of God for his people. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified… If the grain of wheat that falls into the earth does not die, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” After washing the feet of the Twelve, Jesus offers his Will: “I give you a new commandment: “Love one another, you must love one another just as I have loved you” (John 13.34). But is this a new commandment? In the Old Testament, God also commanded his people to love their neighbour as they loved themselves (cf. Leviticus 19.18). Jesus had taught his disciples that the greatest commandment is to love God with all their heart, and the second is to love one’s neighbour as oneself (cf. Matthew 22: 37-39).
So what is new in this commandment? The novelty is: “…as I have loved you.” The novelty lies in the love of Jesus, the love with which he gave up his life for us. This is God’s universal love, which is without conditions and limits. The high point of God’s love is manifested on the Cross. When John writes the Gospel, he recalls the passion and agony of Christ and explains to his community the meaning of those words: “as I have loved you, so you too must love one another.”
For your reflection
The love of Christ makes us capable of loving our enemies and forgiving those who have offended us. Am I capable of forgiving and loving these people who have wounded me and humiliated me?
Father Josekutty
Mathew CMF
