Reflection by Jane Doull,”Not a new commandment” , May 19, 2019

This was communion Sunday, and I found the texts very helpful in interpreting why we still have this sacrament in Christians churches. Acts 11:1-18; Rev. 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

It’s not a new commandment. You’ll find it in the ancient Jewish teaching- the Torah. Love your neighbour as yourself- and the Torah and prophets make clear this includes whoever is vulnerable , the ones in need, the ones to whom Jesus and Jean Vanier reached out. The mark of a faithful Jew, not just the mark of a faithful Jesus-follower, was to show forth love in deeds of kindness and compassion.

It was not a new commandment then- and it’s not a new commandment now .But we are called to apply it in new ways, as we meet new situations.

In the book of Acts Jesus’ followers keep having to apply this not very new commandment in new ways in…