When people look at Christians, do they say, ‘Those Catholics are the most loving people on the planet—how can I experience the love they so clearly radiate?’ I think we can agree this is not usually the case. For many, the name of Jesus is still seen as a ‘dirty word.’

Having belonged to both a Protestant denomination and, more recently, the Catholic Church, I can say with confidence that many people of faith hold deep misconceptions about their brothers and sisters from other traditions. Sadly, it often seems that the basic attributes of love—such as believing the best and keeping no record of wrongs—are not taken seriously, let alone practised. Of course, this is not true of everyone, but it is a painful reality for many.

It’s striking that Jesus gives his commandment to love in this Sunday’s Gospel reading just after Judas has resolved to betray him, and just before Jesus begins to suffer for love’s sake. He is about to embody the very attributes of love described in 1 Corinthians 13. What a sobering encouragement for us—to choose love in the small things: in how we see each other, and in how we choose to believe the best of one another.

By Caleb Bowles