Fifth Easter

John 13: 34 – 35

Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command: love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognise that you are my disciples – when they see the love you have for each other.”

Jesus said to love one another, and each of us tries in small ways to do just that. It is a given that we strive to love parents, siblings, spouses, children, friends. But even to those outside our intimate circles we do our best – on a good day – to offer simple courtesies and acts of kindness. We send a note of thanks to a writer who moved us, drop off a plate of cakes to some do-gooder whom we felt deserved recognition, give an acquaintance an unexpected gift that we knew they’d really enjoy, hold the lift for someone who’s rushing to catch it.

Extending ourselves in such innocent and selfless ways makes us feel good because we know we’ve made someone else feel good. We’ve let another person know that they have worth, that they are remembered, and most of all, that they are loved.

Now think of the small acts of kindness directed toward you by strangers or acquaintances. Someone offers you a seat on the bus when you’re loaded down with packages, a co-worker runs an errand for you when you’re having a particularly bad day, a driver lets you pass so you don’t miss your exit, a shop assistant compliments you on your smile. These tender mercies signal to us that we, too, have worth, that we are remembered, and, above all, that we are loved.