Thursday, April 28, 2005
5th Week of Easter

1st Reading: Acts 15:7-21
Gospel: John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love. You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
"I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."

Commentary

THESE are the most awesome words of Jesus to us. We are loved by Jesus as the Father loves Jesus and we are to remain, to stay in that love. We dwell in God if we keep the commandments, if we obey and in doing this, in obeying with Jesus, then we will also know the joy of Jesus. We are to love-everyone as Jesus has loved us, laying down our lives for one another in service, in forgiveness, in justice and care, as love demands. We are to love the poor and lift them up, giving them hope and dignity as Jesus did with all in need. This is how we remain in God. In this loving and obedience to Jesus' words there is a joy that is complete, whole and life-affirming, unlike any other joy in the world. It is the sign of God's presence among us. Are we the joyful, obedient friends of God? Are we devoted to obeying God as Jesus obeyed God? What do we know of love-only what we give to others-that is all we know of the Father.

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