“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13)

 According to the Gospel of John, after telling about the analogy of the vine, Jesus gave his disciples the commandment to love each other. He is obviously pointing to his sacrifice on the cross.

“I am the vine, you are the branches”: Although Jesus is pure and free from sin, he also shared human flesh that could be easily ruined. His crucifixion gives us a new life in return.
The root of this life is the life of the Holy Trinity. “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

Jesus accepted his sacrifice on the Cross without opposition, “Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will."”
(Mark 14:32-36)

Finally, Jesus completed his mission to the will of the Father, “It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23 44-46)

Let us pray to Fr. Maximilian Kolbe for helping us to learn about the spirit of self-sacrificing for love.