Easter 6th Sunday – Acts 15:1-2,22-29; Psalm 67; Rev 21:10-14,22-23; John 14:23-29
Do I love?
It might seem that this sentence is so simple, obvious, even downright banal, if not for the fact that we often forget what it teaches us . . .
If anyone loves me, he will keep my word,
Jesus reminds us of what should be the foundation of our life, upon which our faith should be built.
Sometimes we reduce faith to a collection of certain external actions – going to church, praying, receiving the sacraments. We reduce it to a rational, intellectual acceptance of certain truths, norms, rules – and the effort to observe them as best as possible.
Of course, all this is important and necessary, but it is worth asking oneself – what does it stem from? What is the motive for my going to church, praying, and keeping the commandments? From experience we know that the reasons can be various:
- habit and tradition, because that’s how I was raised
- a sense of duty
- to confirm that I am better, more pious than others
- out of fear of what will come after death, of punishment and damnation
- to “earn” heaven
And then a person begins to limit himself to the “necessary minimum” that must be fulfilled, to that which is “enough”. This is sometimes evident in the statements that the commandments say I should confess once a year and receive Communion once a year. So, what does the priest mean when he tells me that it is too infrequent?
Meanwhile, Christ reminds us today that the foundation of our faith, of our life, should be love for God.
“If someone loves Me . . .”
- they will want to meet with Me at the Eucharist
- they will long to receive Me in Communion
- they will want to talk with Me
- they will strive to live as I taught and do everything to avoid offending or hurting Me with his words or actions
“If someone loves Me . . .” everything else will be natural, obvious, and a result of that love.
Therefore, let’s ask ourselves this fundamental question today:
“Do I love the Lord God?”
And let’s not rush too quickly to an answer. Let’s not reply rashly, automatically, without reflection. Let’s first consider:
To what extent is God present in our life? Not just in the church, or during prayer, but in all the daily matters – in what we do and say.
Do we strive to live for Him and please Him?
Is there in us a longing for Him and a desire to know Him better?
Do I love the Lord God . . . ?