16b God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them.  17 Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's.  18 There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.  19  We love because God first loved us.  20 If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen.  21  The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love others also.  TEV

The Gospel Reading
Matthew 26.57-68

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the teachers of the Law and the elders had gathered together.  58 Peter followed from a distance, as far as the courtyard of the High Priest's house. He went into the courtyard and sat down with the guards to see how it would all come out.  59  The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some false evidence against Jesus to put him to death;  60  but they could not find any, even though many people came forward and told lies about him. Finally two men stepped up  61  and said, "This man said, "I am able to tear down God's Temple and three days later build it back up.' "   62  The High Priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Have you no answer to give to this accusation against you?"  63 But Jesus kept quiet. Again the High Priest spoke to him, "In the name of the living God I now put you under oath: tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."  64 Jesus answered him, "So you say. But I tell all of you: from this time on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of heaven!"   65 At this the High Priest tore his clothes and said, "Blasphemy! We don't need any more witnesses! You have just heard his blasphemy!   66  What do you think?" They answered, "He is guilty and must die."  67  Then they spat in his face and beat him; and those who slapped him   68  said, "Prophesy for us, Messiah! Guess who hit you!" TEV