For we must remember that the Christian religion is not only that of Easter Day but also that of Good Friday; not only that of the Risen Christ but of the Crucified Christ who still loved with an infinite compassion those who crucified him.  And what Christ requires of us, and will always require of us, is to walk in newness of life by following that example of his.

And so to love as Our Lord loves is the principal test and expression of our loyalty to him, as it is also the test and expression of our Christian discipleship.  And by showing that love to our fellow human beings for his sake, our relationship with him grows ever closer and deeper as he himself promised it would.

“This is my commandment,” he said, “that you love one another as I have loved you”.  “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them…and we will come to them and make our home with them” (NRSV, John 15:12; 14:21,23).