Holy Week is not just a time for rest, but a special season to reflect on the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose final days on earth we commemorate this week. Welcome once again to our Holy Week devotions.

Isang bagong utos ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo ngayon, mag-ibigan kayo! Kung paano ko kayong inibig, gayundin naman, mag-ibigan kayo. Kung kayo’y mag-iibigan, makikilala ng lahat na kayo’y mga alagad ko.”

Juan 13:34–35

Think of one person in your life na masama ang trato sa ‘yo. Recall the hurtful words or actions he/she did towards you — the unfair treatment, the betrayal, the abandonment. Now, hear the Lord telling you to love that person. Kaya mo ba?

Hindi madali ang magmahal ng mga taong hindi kamahal-mahal. This must’ve been the most challenging of all the commandments God gave. But this is exactly what Jesus wanted us to do in John 13:34–35. On that Maundy Thursday, after washing the disciples’ feet and sharing the last supper with them, Jesus asked them to love others. The measuring stick? His limitless and unconditional love.

Think about it. Jesus knew exactly that Judas would betray Him and hand Him over to the enemies. Alam Niya ring itatanggi Siya ni Peter nang tatlong beses. Alam Niya ring the disciples would run in fear when the soldiers come to arrest Him the next morning. Yet, in His love, He still served them and gave His life up for them.

This teaches us the kind of love Jesus wants us to show. No matter how people treat us, our response shows who we truly follow. Kung nagawa ng Panginoon na pagsilbihan at mahalin ang mga taong gumawa ng masama sa Kanya, we can also love others because He gives us the grace to love them.

First John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” Hindi man ito madali, we can love others because of the overflowing love Jesus has given us. We can love, not just in words, but in our actions, too. By the grace of God, we can love just as Jesus loves.

Ngayong Holy Week, this is God’s reminder: Kung mahal tayo ni Jesus nang ganito kalaki, how can we not love others?

May we open our hearts to the love and grace of God so that this Holy Week, and every day of our lives, we may show God’s kind of love to others. Join us again tomorrow for our Holy Week devotions.