Jessica Hanna and Greater Love: 6th Sunday of Easter

Jesus reminds what is the greatest act of love in the Gospel of John. It was only a matter of time that his last preaching on love was going to be put into action when he would die on the cross. This Sunday picks up where we left off last Sunday (assuming that we’re paying attention to the sequence of events).

After the meal, Jesus gives them a new commandment. “Love one another”. In the course of this sermon, he offers how great this love is.

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” John 15:13. This quote is often circulated around the Memorial Day holiday in the United States as the nation pause and remember all the men and women who lay down their lives for our country.

There is another way for someone to lay down his or her life for others. It can be found in the example of a mother. 

Recently, the Catholic community heard of the death of a mother of four children. Her death has rocked the Catholic community at large. With the advent of social media, it has blessed many Catholics to form connections with other like-minded individuals that look to strive for a higher calling.  

Jessica Hanna gained a following on Instagram under the name “Blessed by Cancer.” The account would garner over 45,000 followers. The page was dedicated to her cancer journey. Jessica chronicled her journey. She even shared how she had to put her cancer treatments on hold while pregnant with her fourth child in 2020. She rejected the doctors’ advice to abort her pregnancy.  The son would be born and was named Thomas Solanus. She picked Solanus for his middle name to honor a soon to be saint that she frequently prayed to at his shrine in Detroit.

Sadly, Jessica was called home on April 6th, 2024. She left behind a legacy that will live in infamy.

Like Christ, Jessica laid down her life for her youngest son. She did it out of love. Christ laid down his life to save us from the grip of sin.

We too must lay down our lives for other through acts of charity. Never take charity for granted.

Love requires sacrifice.