A Table of Unconditional Love

Jesus invites His disciples to meet and dine with Him in the Upper Room. Jesus is facing the crucial crucifixion and death on the cross.

Which of us do not wish to have our closest friends with us when we are going through a challenging time such as surgery, divorce, a financial crisis or the loss of a loved one?  We know that they may not have the solution to our problem, however, we can draw strength from their presence, love and prayers.

This is where our Lord finds Himself on this Thursday night. On this night, Jesus gave His disciples, and us, by extension, a final command (from which we get “mandatum,” the Latin word for commandment). Jesus says, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:33-35).  Jesus would go on to say on this same night, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13),

Jesus loved and dined with His disciples even though He knew the one who would betray Him was present at the table. Jesus loved and dined with His disciples even though He knew that the one who would deny Him was present at the table. Jesus loved and dined with His disciples even though He knew that weakness was at the table; for they would flee when they saw the power and threat of the Roman soldiers.

Tonight, Jesus invites us to join Him in the Upper Room in spite of our weaknesses and failures because He loves us unconditionally.

May we join Jesus at His table of love to the end that we can draw strength from His love, and become better disciples of His kingdom for the betterment of our world.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for inviting us to Your table of love in spite of our weakness and fragilities. Help us, as a result of Your love, to become better disciples and witnesses, so that people will know that we are Your disciples. We love you, Jesus. Amen.