Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Love is the pivotal word around Jesus’ teachings in today’s gospel. Jesus talks about the Father’s love for us, His love for us, and our love for God. He then says “whoever loves me will keep my word.” (John 14 24) What is this “word” that Jesus is talking about? Although some translations use the term “commandments” instead of “word”, I believe Jesus is talking in broader terms. This “word” is something that Jesus wants us to hold onto- to keep, and in that possessing we show God our love. As I reflect on this passage, I wonder if the “word” Jesus refers to is the faith in Him. With this faith we believe that God the Father so loved us that He sent us Jesus, and Jesus through His life and teachings shows us not only how to love others, but how to die to ourselves for the good of others just like He did. We show our love and trust in God with this faith, and with this belief we welcome God and His love into our lives. When we “keep his word” we hold the truths of our faith at the core of our being, and therefore we allow Christ to be our center.
In this reading, Jesus is trying to help his followers understand what it means to a disciple. A disciple of Jesus shows his/her love by observing the commandments. God does not love us because we obey Him, but by imitating Jesus we open up ourselves to His love and the love of the Father. Jesus tells us, “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” (John 14: 23) It is when we keep his “word” that Jesus says, “We will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” (John 14:23) This faith in Jesus and the love of God is offered to all people. Judas asks if this revelation is meant only for the disciples, but Jesus responds by explaining that everyone has an opportunity to choose to “keep the word” or not. Not only does Jesus promise to dwell in us if we keep His word, but He tells the disciples (and us) about the coming of the Holy Spirit who will “teach you everything and remind you of all that I have told you.” (John 14:26) The grace of the Spirit helps us to strengthen our faith and thereby allows us to “keep the word” with greater purpose and desire. When we “keep the word” we allow the love of God the Father, Son and Spirit to become the foundation for our lives, so we can share this same love with others.
Further in John’s gospel Jesus continues to speak about “keeping the word. “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” I revealed your name* to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. (John 17: 3, 6-8)) It is our belief in Jesus as the Son of God, who was sent from the Father that is the “word” that we keep. It is this “word” that is offered to all and is the source of eternal life.
When you read these passages, it seems that Jesus is inviting us to become a part of a “circle of love” that is between the Father, Son and Spirit. If we believe, we welcome God the Father, Son and Spirit and their love to dwell within us. Just as the Father loves the Son, and the Son loves the Father, we are called to love God and also called to love others. The Father sends us the Spirit so we can live out this love in our daily lives. It is also with the grace of the Spirit that we know the will of the Father and can follow His commands in our lives. We come full circle with this love when we return our love for God by obeying Him and His commands. Doing His will and surrendering to His call is not something that is done out of fear or obligation, but is done out of love that is in response to the “word” in our hearts. When we believe and trust in all the truths that God has revealed to us, we keep His “word” and allow God to keep us as His own.
"Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus to share Your love with the world. You send Your Spirit to us to help us know Your truths. Help us always to “keep your word” and believe in You as God-Father, Savior, and Advocate. May Your love dwell in us, so we can share You with the world. May all that we are bring you glory and praise. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen."
- Marylynn Herchline