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Jesus, speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper, talks about the centrality of love among his followers. He expresses it in a central commandment: perhaps surprisingly to some, this commandment is not to love God, or even to love Jesus, but to love one another. If that is not clear enough, he spells it out: the greatest possible love a person can have is to sacrifice one's life for one's friends. That may mean dying for others but it can also mean living for others; in either case our primary concern is concern for the need of the brother or sister. And it is the only path by which to demonstrate that we love God and that God's love is in us. The only way to God is through other people. There are no short cuts. Jesus shows that love by his own death for his friends. And who are his friends? They are those who do what he commands and what he commands is that we love each other to the same degree that he loves us. Earlier Jesus told his disciples that he was their Lord and Master, but now he also calls them his friends and not servants. Jesus is our Lord but he is also our Brother and our Friend. Because of that he has shared with us all he has received from his Father. Obviously, it is for us to share all we know about Jesus with others too.
By this will all know you are my followers, that You have love for one another.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That the shameful and monstrous trafficking in human beings, which sadly involves millions of women and children, may stop.
Elaboration
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