It could not be more simple.

Love one another as I have loved you.

That’s what Jesus says to the disciples in today’s gospel from John. Simple, yet earth-shattering.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Would I do that, I wonder? I think of the mother driving a car whose arm raises to hold back her child in the passenger seat at a sudden stop. I think of people who heroically rescue strangers even at risk to their own lives. I think of Jesus, who died for all of us.

It seems a bit simpler to live out the other commandments. I can check them off without even thinking about it. This commandment, to love one another as Jesus loved us, is harder.

What can I do? How can I love the person who is making my life difficult at work? How can I find time to help someone else when I am already so busy? How can people ask more of me? Think about when Jesus was tired and hungry and overwhelmed. He still responded to the spiritual and human needs of those around him. I can love my neighbors and friends and co-workers and family and strangers in so many ways. I can lay down my life – pausing in my busyness – to be there for others. I can be present when a friend wants to talk and I have a long to-do list. I can find time to reach out to the exhausted mom. I can do my part, even if small, to work for peace and social justice. I can spend time in prayer for those who need it. I can forgive those whom I think have harmed me. As St. Ignatius tells us, we can find God in all things.