Opening ourselves to the life of God within us
Reflections on the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 26, 2019): ACTS 15:1-2,22-29; PS 67:2-3,5,6,8; REV 21:10-14,22-23; JN 14:23-29
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
When Jesus spoke the words in today’s Gospel, He knew that He was soon to be arrested, tortured and crucified. Yet it was He who offered comfort and reassurance to those who were so close to Him.
“Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Whoever loves Me will keep My word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.… The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything’” (John 14:23, 26). Christ reinforced for them the importance of the link between love and action, as well as our dependence on the grace that comes to us through the Holy Spirit.
It is never enough to say we love someone and then ignore that person. How much more true that is in the relationship we have with our Lord. He loves us and desires our love in return. Christ wants us to know that He is never far away from us. Rather, God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – truly lives within those who sincerely seek to keep His word. Almighty God knows that we are sinners, but He claims us as His own children and is ready to forgive us whenever fail. We need only approach Him with a repentant heart. God will be there welcome and teach us, to love and support us. The Apostles learned that, and so must we if we really want to follow our beloved Savior.
Suggested missionary action: We need to take time to reflect on what is means to keep Christ’s word. We need to understand that every day offers unique chances to live the way He wants for our own sake and that of those around us.