Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he is with you, and will be with you.
“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. A little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me because I live and you will also live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. “Whoever keeps my commandments is the one who loves me, if he loves me, he will also be loved by my Father; I too shall love him and show myself clearly to him.”
—John 14:15-21
We hear a lot from people who claim that they love God very much but are not true about it in their daily life. They show off and even boast that the Lord has blessed them and feel entitled. But have they really followed the Lord’s commands and have proven their claim? In our gospel account, the Lord Jesus has assured us that we will never be orphans for the Lord is coming to us, those who love the Lord and keep his commandments.
In our gospel reading, Jesus addressed his disciples with emphasis on what to do as he was about to leave them. The only way to be with him is when one follows God’s commandments truly and faithfully. Keeping the Lord’s commandments means he/she loves the Lord. Love is the mark of Christians. When one accepts Jesus and his commandments, one will be filled by God’s Spirit. And Jesus will live and remain in that person until the end.
Love is of God, for love is God. Jesus likewise has assured the disciples that the Spirit of Truth will come, the Advocate, the Helper, the Paraclete. Only the Spirit of God can give them the truth whom they will preach, the truth that they belong to God as they preach Jesus, the Father’s beloved son.
All of us are loved by God. Have you felt it? The fact that one experiences love, one shares that very love of God. Do you demonstrate your concern and care for others with love? Do you choose and select whom to love? When one accepts Jesus as His God, he/ she should love.
A lot of people want to see God and know God. The truth is, one can only see God when one loves, and loving is unconditional. The love of God is beyond restrictions and boundaries. One shall not only love the person of his or her choice but everyone. Even those whom one does not like. More than ever, one is compelled to love anyone without “ifs or buts,” including one’s enemy. This is what the good news is all about, the love of God is shared, thus, our turn to love others like God is our task.
The Lord has not abandoned us, he came for us. The love of God is our only way towards Him. We can concretely express our love through simple and little thoughts and deeds. We can start in our selves by living simply and being sensitive to the needs of others. Being responsible in our families when we teach our children by our examples, as right attitudes and characters are foundations of a renewed family and nation. Every time open our homes and places to those who have nowhere to stay and share our food and water with the hungry and the thirsty. Every time we visit the sick and give comfort and hope as well as to visit the prisoners to console and to assure them of the grace of conversion. Every time we offer willingly our time and commitment at the service of those who are in need, especially the suffering and the deprived, that is love in action.
We shall joyfully experience and encounter the Lord Jess in love. The Advocate, the Spirit of Truth is here with us in Jesus’ name so we may understand the commandment of love.
Let us pray, reflect and ask ourselves:
Have I kept the commandments of God faithfully and zealously?
Have I allowed others to love me?
Does God live in my life, in my family and community?
Did I remain in the love of the Father at all times?
Prayer:
Almighty and Ever- loving God, we thank you for your enduring and unconditional love for us. May we also follow you closely in love every time we do your will for your glory. Remain in us, in our lives—in our families and communities, in our workplaces and circles of friends, in our Church and in the world. May you shower on us your bountiful blessings as we follow your will and your ways. May the Risen Christ be our light in our lives and be our strength in our loving service for others. May the Lord of life be always with us always in good times and in bad times. This we ask through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Intention:
Let us pray for those whom we had promised to pray for that the Lord in his loving mercy listen to their prayers and grant their intentions; may the Holy Spirit enlighten and guide us to the Father so we can truly be effective builders of His kingdom here on earth.
