Father's Reflection 4.28.24

John 15 that we hear for today’s Gospel is probably my favorite chapter in the Bible. A key word for this chapter is “remain,” which is repeated by Jesus 7 times already in the first 8 verses. 

How do we concretely do this “remaining” in Him though?

Jesus gives the primary condition: obedience to what He asks of us.
“If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.” John 15:10

To make it even more clear which commandment He was referring to, He adds:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” John 15:12

Jesus gave the second main condition earlier in John 6:56:
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”

The moral of the story: we remain in Jesus by letting Him love us, especially in the Eucharist, and by passing that love on to others.

To give our time and attention as Jesus does for us in the Eucharist is the best way we can love one another in our culture where people are starving to be noticed and known.

This week, let’s set aside the screens and let Jesus love us through His Presence in the Eucharist and His Word and give to others, especially those closest to us, what we have first received from Him!

Rejoice in hope,

Fr. Joel