When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

The passage begins with Jesus speaking about His glorification. This is a pivotal moment as Judas leaves to betray Him, setting in motion the events leading to the crucifixion. Theologians suggest that “glorification” here refers to Jesus’ impending death and resurrection, which reveal God’s love and power. Jesus introduces a “new commandment” to love one another as He has loved them. This commandment is central to Christian ethics and reflects the self-sacrificial love Jesus demonstrates. The passage emphasises that love is the hallmark of Jesus’ disciples. In the context of the early Christian community, this was a radical departure from the legalistic practices of the time. Today, this message remains relevant as it challenges Christians to live out their faith through love and service to others.

The Gospel of John was written for a community facing persecution and internal conflict. The emphasis on love and unity was crucial for their survival and witness. Today, this passage encourages Christians to embody love in a world often divided by conflict and misunderstanding. A modern example might be community service projects that bring people together across different backgrounds to serve those in need. The account of Jesus’ words in John 13 is considered by scholars to be a theological reflection rather than a verbatim transcript. The Gospel of John often presents a more interpretative narrative, focusing on the deeper meanings of Jesus’ teachings.

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
As a lily among brambles, so is my love among maidens.
As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his intention toward me was love.
Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love.
O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me!
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice.
My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away;
for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in blossom.”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

The Song of Solomon is a unique book in the Bible, celebrated for its poetic beauty and exploration of love. One interpretation is that the Song of Solomon is an allegory of the love between God and His people. The intimate and passionate language reflects the deep bond and covenantal relationship between God and Israel. This view is supported by early Jewish and Christian traditions, which saw the text as symbolic of divine love. Another perspective is that the Song of Solomon celebrates human love and marriage. The vivid imagery and expressions of desire highlight the beauty and sanctity of romantic love. This interpretation aligns with the Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacrament, reflecting God’s love through human relationships.

The Song of Solomon was likely written during the post-exilic period, a time when Israel was rebuilding its identity. The text’s celebration of love and beauty may have served as a reminder of God’s blessings and the importance of love in community life. The original audience would have been familiar with the cultural and agricultural imagery used throughout the book.

Today, the Song of Solomon can be seen as a timeless celebration of love, both divine and human. It encourages us to cherish and nurture our relationships, recognising them as reflections of God’s love. A modern example might be a couple renewing their vows, celebrating their journey together and the love that sustains them. The Song of Solomon is a poetic work, and its historical accuracy is less about specific events and more about capturing the essence of love and relationship. Its value lies in its ability to convey timeless truths about love, making it a cherished part of the biblical canon.

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
As a lily among brambles, so is my love among maidens.
As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his intention toward me was love.
Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love.
O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me!
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice.
My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away;
for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in blossom.”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

The Song of Solomon is a unique book in the Bible, celebrated for its poetic beauty and exploration of love. One interpretation is that the Song of Solomon is an allegory of the love between God and His people. The intimate and passionate language reflects the deep bond and covenantal relationship between God and Israel. This view is supported by early Jewish and Christian traditions, which saw the text as symbolic of divine love. Another perspective is that the Song of Solomon celebrates human love and marriage. The vivid imagery and expressions of desire highlight the beauty and sanctity of romantic love. This interpretation aligns with the Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacrament, reflecting God’s love through human relationships.

The Song of Solomon was likely written during the post-exilic period, a time when Israel was rebuilding its identity. The text’s celebration of love and beauty may have served as a reminder of God’s blessings and the importance of love in community life. The original audience would have been familiar with the cultural and agricultural imagery used throughout the book.

Today, the Song of Solomon can be seen as a timeless celebration of love, both divine and human. It encourages us to cherish and nurture our relationships, recognising them as reflections of God’s love. A modern example might be a couple renewing their vows, celebrating their journey together and the love that sustains them. The Song of Solomon is a poetic work, and its historical accuracy is less about specific events and more about capturing the essence of love and relationship. Its value lies in its ability to convey timeless truths about love, making it a cherished part of the biblical canon.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Deeper Dive into the Passage

The passage begins with Jesus speaking about His glorification. This is a pivotal moment as Judas leaves to betray Him, setting in motion the events leading to the crucifixion. Theologians suggest that “glorification” here refers to Jesus’ impending death and resurrection, which reveal God’s love and power. Jesus introduces a “new commandment” to love one another as He has loved them. This commandment is central to Christian ethics and reflects the self-sacrificial love Jesus demonstrates. The passage emphasises that love is the hallmark of Jesus’ disciples. In the context of the early Christian community, this was a radical departure from the legalistic practices of the time. Today, this message remains relevant as it challenges Christians to live out their faith through love and service to others.

The Gospel of John was written for a community facing persecution and internal conflict. The emphasis on love and unity was crucial for their survival and witness. Today, this passage encourages Christians to embody love in a world often divided by conflict and misunderstanding. A modern example might be community service projects that bring people together across different backgrounds to serve those in need. The account of Jesus’ words in John 13 is considered by scholars to be a theological reflection rather than a verbatim transcript. The Gospel of John often presents a more interpretative narrative, focusing on the deeper meanings of Jesus’ teachings.