Pastor's Column

Sixth Sunday of Easter

April 27, 2008

 

Jesus dwells with me. Jesus promises to dwell within all those who keep God's commandments in this Sunday's gospel (John 14:23-29). But what happens when we fail to live up to God's expectations? The Lord still does not abandon us! In fact, he is attracted by our need for him and for his mercy. What Jesus wants to teach us here is that we are expected to love Jesus by wanting to be obedient. Thank goodness that Jesus loves us, imperfections and all, or no one would enter heaven.

 

Jesus dwells with me. Sometimes we might get the impression that we are pretty unlovable creatures, but this is not so! If Jesus is with us, and has made his home within us, if he died to save us, then we know we are loved. Everywhere we go, then, we are always at home, because Jesus is always, somehow, there. It is true that we cannot feel or even sense Jesus' presence in our day-to-day lives, but our relationship with him is not based on seeing or feeling Jesus. Instead, it is based on faith. Jesus told us he would dwell within us precisely so that we would not worry so much. Let God be God. Jesus will see that everything is all right in the end. 

 

Jesus dwells with me. Here at last is a friend who knows everything about me and is still there for me. And Jesus does not come alone: he brings with him the Father and the Holy Spirit to guide us safely home. This being so, we want to be a friend to Jesus as well, since he loves us so much.

 

Jesus dwells with me. How do I know if I am a friend to Jesus? Our love for him is not based on how we feel at the moment; no, love is measured by how much we desire to keep the commandments of God. Our efforts and struggles to be good, as well as our return to him in conversion when we have sinned, are expressions of our faith. Jesus, seeing this, will come with his Father and the Spirit and take up residence within us. Alleluia!