Gospel of John: Jesus’ commandment to love one another. (John 13:33-35)
“My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Visio Divina (“divine seeing”) is a practice of examination and praying with sacred art as a tool for growing closer to God and His mysteries. Following the prompts below, note what happens during each step and talk to God about it.
Lectio: Read the image; examine its content, look for details and note what stands out to you. Work to understand the meaning or story being told by the image.
What word, phrase or image comes to your mind as you reflect on the image?
Meditatio: Meditate on the image; connect to what you know about the background of the image. Imagine yourself present in the events and consider expressions, colors and symbols.
What do you know about the setting of this scene — the upper room on the eve of the crucifixion and the imminence of Jesus’ departure? How does that setting influence what you see?
Oratio: Pray with the image; have a conversation with God about what you see in the image and what you think about it. Ask Him to reveal what He wants you to understand through this art.
Talk to Jesus about what it feels like to be told someone you love is leaving. Have you experienced anything like that in your own life?
Contemplatio: Contemplate the image; examine it again and note what God has taught you through your prayer with the art. Ask God what He wants to show you through this passage.
What is God teaching you about the difference between knowing you’re loved and letting that love extend to others?
Actio: Ask God how to put your prayer into action.
Given that Jesus says love is how others will recognize His disciples, is there a concrete way you can show Jesus’ love to others?
