Opening Game
Emotion in Motion
This game helps youth understand how we express and recognize emotions and that they are important when we interact with others. You can find the complete instructions here.
Follow up with a few questions.
- Which emotions were the easiest to recognize?
- Which were the most difficult?
- Why are emotions so important to us?
Understanding and recognizing emotions is a big part of how we connect with each other. When we can see how someone feels, it helps us know how to respond. For example, if a friend looks sad, we might offer support. If someone seems happy, we can share in their joy. Being aware of others’ emotions helps us build stronger relationships.
But emotions can be tricky. Sometimes, we might not show how we really feel, or we might misunderstand someone else’s feelings. This can lead to confusion or hurt feelings. That’s why it’s important to pay attention and try to understand each other better.
In our faith, Jesus teaches us to love one another. Part of that love is being aware of and caring about how others feel. By recognizing and respecting each other’s emotions, we can follow Jesus’ example and build a more loving community.
Scripture Reading
John 13:31-33A, 34-35 (Jesus gives the Great Commandment) – the Gospel Reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter – Year C
When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”John 13:31-33A, 34-35
Discussion
We often think of love as an emotion, like happiness or excitement. But Jesus tells us to love one another, and this shows us that love is more than just a feeling. Love is something we can choose to do. It is an action and a decision. Emotions, on the other hand, are reactions to what is happening around us. They come and go depending on our mood or circumstances. Love is much deeper than that.
When we choose to love, emotions might follow. For example, when we love someone, we might feel joy when we are with them or sadness when they are hurting. Sometimes, love can bring hard emotions too, like frustration or anger, especially when someone we love lets us down. But those feelings do not define love. Love itself is not an emotion. It doesn’t disappear just because we feel hurt or disappointed.
So, if love is not an emotion, what is it? St. Paul describes love in a way that helps us understand. He writes in 1 Corinthians 13:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
This shows us that love is about how we treat others. To love one another means being patient and kind, even when we don’t feel like it. It means letting go of jealousy or pride when someone else gets something we wanted. It means forgiving, even when it is hard. Love is lifting others up instead of tearing them down. It is choosing to care about what is best for someone else, even if it costs us something.
Loving others is not always easy. Sometimes, it means sacrificing what we want for the sake of another person. Jesus is our greatest example of this. He loved us so much that he gave up his life for us. While we might never be asked to die for someone, we are often called to make smaller sacrifices. Maybe it’s giving up time to help someone in need. Maybe it’s letting go of anger and forgiving someone who has hurt us. Maybe it’s choosing to include someone who feels left out, even when it’s inconvenient.
These sacrifices aren’t just about big moments. They happen in everyday decisions. For example, when you see someone sitting alone at lunch and you know they need a friend, you have a choice. You can ignore them and stay comfortable with your group, or you can go sit with them. That is an act of love. Or, if your sibling takes the last piece of cake, you can choose to hold a grudge or let it go. These are small moments, but they are chances to practice the love Jesus calls us to.
When Jesus tells us to love one another as I have loved you, he is not promising that it will always be easy. In fact, he is warning us that it might be hard. Love requires effort, patience, and sometimes sacrifice. But it is also the most important commandment he gives us. By loving others, we show that we belong to him. It is how the world will know we are his disciples.
Loving others doesn’t mean we will always feel happy or get something in return. Sometimes, loving someone might even mean standing up for what is right, even if it makes them upset. Love always seeks what is truly good for the other person. And when we love others, we grow closer to God because God is love.
So remember, love is not about how we feel—it is about what we choose to do. Jesus chose to love us when he gave his life for us, and now he calls us to do the same for one another. Love one another, not because it is easy, but because it is what Jesus asks of us.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Facilitators, guide your group through an open and respectful conversation about what it means to love one another. Encourage participants to share honestly but remind them to listen to others with kindness and patience. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers, and the goal is to reflect on how we can live out Jesus’ command in our daily lives. Allow time for each person to speak, and keep the discussion focused on the topic.
- What does it mean to you to love one another the way Jesus loves us?
- Why do you think Jesus made loving others a commandment instead of a suggestion?
- Can you think of a time when someone showed you love in a way that reflected Jesus? How did it make you feel?
- What are some situations in your life where it is hard to love others?
- How do you think love can be a decision rather than just a feeling?
- Why is forgiveness an important part of loving one another?
- What are some practical ways you can show love to others at school, at home, or in your community?
- How do you think loving others can bring you closer to God?
- What do you think St. Paul meant when he said, “Love never fails”?
- How can the example of Jesus’ love inspire you to make sacrifices for others?
Challenge
This week, take some time to notice the small decisions you make each day. When you’re faced with two good choices, pause and ask yourself, “Which of these would show the sort of love Jesus commanded?” It might be choosing to help a sibling with their homework instead of watching TV. It could be as simple as saying something kind to a classmate instead of staying silent. These small moments are chances to practice love, just like Jesus taught us.
Choosing love in small decisions helps us build the habit of thinking and acting like Jesus. It might feel awkward at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. Remember, love isn’t always about big gestures—it’s about little acts of kindness, patience, and sacrifice. Each time you choose love, you reflect Jesus’ light to others and grow closer to him. This week, look for those moments, take the loving action, and see how it changes your day.
Prayer
Let’s conclude our time together by praying “A Prayer to Love One Another.” This prayer asks God to help us love others as He loves us. As we pray, think about how you can show love in your daily life. Let’s pray:
Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
That we may Love as you Love!
That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!
Give me knowledge; O giver of Knowledge,
That I may be one with my Universe and Mother Earth!
O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your Love O God.
Bless us with your Love.
Amen.
As we go through this week, let’s remember this prayer and try to live it out. Look for chances to be patient, kind, and caring. When it’s hard, ask God for help. Together, we can make a difference by choosing to love one another, just as Jesus taught us.
A printable copy of the prayer can be found here.
More Resources
See more resources for this lesson plan at https://young-catholics.com/16283/love-one-another-a-lesson-plan-on-love/