There is no Love greater than this.

Dear friends, today, we meditate on the most solemn afternoon of the Christian calendar: Good Friday. The church feels stripped down, quiet. We feel a mix of awe, sadness, but above all, gratitude for the immense love of God for us manifested in Christ Jesus. Among the various biblical passages that we meditate on during this Triduum Pascal, I would like to take a pause on two: John 13:1 and 15:13.

 

“He loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1) : Saint John places this line like a heading over the whole Passion story: “Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” In Greek, eis telos means two things at once: “to the last breath” and “to the furthest limit.” Jesus does not ration His affection. He pours it out like water from the basin when He kneels to wash tired, dusty feet, a servant’s job done by the Master of the universe. He gave it all for us to be reconciled with God.

 

Saint Augustine once said, “The measure of love is to love without measure.” When we look at Calvary, we see love that breaks all records, love without limit. Every lash, every agonizing step, every drop of blood shouts, “I will never give up on you.” The Passion and Death of Jesus on the Cross is the most beautiful Love Letter that God wrote to us.

“No one has greater love…” (Jn 15:13)

A few hours after the foot‑washing, on the walk to Gethsemane, Jesus turns to His friends: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The apostles don’t realize it yet, but He’s signing the deed of gift with His own life.

 

The Church Father wrote a lot on the passion of Jesus.  Saint Gregory the Great pointed out something remarkable: Jesus could have silenced His enemies with just a word, but instead, He chose to remain silent, giving us a voice. This is the true power of love; it is strength tempered by mercy, the kind of love that truly saves.

And notice who He calls “friends.” Not just perfect followers, rather, weary, sleepy disciples who would soon turn their backs, deny, betray and abandon him. If there’s a place for them at the foot of the cross, there’s room for each of us as well.

He told us this would happen (Matthew 17:22-23):  Three times on the path to Jerusalem, Jesus took the Twelve aside and laid out the grim details: he will be betrayed, mocked, put to death, and on the third day he will rise again. The very nails locking Him in place affirm that His promises are steadfast.

This message speaks to our own lives. When we face suffering, be it illness, grief, or anxiety, we often wonder, “Why?” When we feel that the voice of God is silent, let us remember the voice of Jesus on the Cross: “My God, My God, why have thy forsaken me?” In his cry on the Cross is recapitulated on human experience of abandonment, agony and death. Good Friday may not answer every question, but it reveals who stands with us in our darkest hours, bearing those burdens alongside us and assuring us, “Darkness will not prevail.”

St Ephrem the Syrian described the cross as “the tree that blossomed in blood so that paradise might blossom again.” Bernard of Clairvaux invited us to “look upon the wounds of Christ; there you will read His heart.” Catherine of Siena exclaimed, “O fire of burning charity! Was any heart ever consumed so utterly for love of its creatures?” Thérèse of Lisieux reflected tenderly, “He loved me and gave Himself for me.”

These voices from our tradition remind us that the cross is a gift so personal that it carries each of our names.

 

We follow the example of Mary and John: we draw near. We bring our sins, our regrets, and our broken relationships, surrendering them to be crucified with Him. We let His way of love inspire our actions: - Forgive those who may never apologize. - Serve quietly, without the expectation of recognition. - Stand by someone else’s cross, even if all you can offer is your presence.

A small story comes to mind: A nurse once shared how a patient feared dying alone. She stayed by his side all night, holding his hand. When morning arrived, he had passed on, but his face had found peace. In that moment, the nurse embodied what Jesus does for the whole world today: refusing to let anyone suffer alone.

 

Let u Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You loved us to the end and gave Your life for Your friends.

Teach our restless hearts the true strength of surrendered love.

May the memory of Your wounds bring healing to our own wounds, your silence grant us courage in our fears, and the promise of Your rising ignite hope within us. Amen.

 

“We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.” May this Good Friday draw us ever closer to that redeeming cross so that when Easter dawns, our hearts will be renewed.