Monday, May 19, 2003
5th Week of Easter

1st Reading: Acts 14:5-18
Gospel: Jn 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples, "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."

Judas-not the Iscariot-asked Jesus, "Lord, how can it be that you will show yourself clearly to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and make a room in his home. But if anyone does not love me, he will not keep my words, and these words that you hear are not mine but the Father's who sent me.

"I told you all this while I was still with you. From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you."

Commentary

If we love Jesus, the Father will love us. The Creator of the vast universe, the Almighty, loves us as his children! Our bewilderment surpasses that of the psalmist, "What is the mortal that you be mindful of him, the son of man, that you should care for him?" There is more. Our love for Jesus makes us dwellings for the Father and the Son. They actually prefer us to the Temple of Jerusalem all covered with gold? Opulent cathedrals and magnificent basilicas are built for them and they choose to dwell in us? Is not the glory of heaven where they belong? The psalmist asks, "O Lord, who will dwell in your tent and reside on your holy mount?" He can only imagine God to be a host. God prefers to be our guest!

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