Scripture/Bible: He
who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves
me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to
him." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said
to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to
the world?" 23 Jesus answered him,
"If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and
we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He
who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not
mine but the Father's who sent me. 25 "These things I have
spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But
the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will
teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to
you. John 14:21-26
Reflection: Love has to be proved in action. Though some like
to live in the deception of mere words and always like to be told that they are
loved, yet nothing can replace a kind act of love.
Love
without practical action is like false or artificial gold. It’s not long, before it loses its shine, and
then cast away because it no longer interests anyone.
Similarly,
one may have gold and yet may never really care to keep it with them or use
them; it could be a clear sign of a disinterest or lack of love for the
precious metal.
In
the same way there are two things that Jesus requires of us, his disciples, in
order that they prove their love for him:
- We need to have his commandments with us, either by knowing or through thorough reflection with a great love for his word. We need to have it in our hearts, not as the Jews had, who wore it as an amulet (tallit) around their shoulders while praying and it may have been a mere ritualistic bind.
- Observe or keep what is now in our hearts, obedience to his commandments, no matter what the odds, is a clear sign and proof of our love for him. It is a practical action when one keeps the commandments and thus shows ones love for the master.
It also clears the human predicament, which thinks that only a good intention is a panacea to all ills in the community. You need to have the wisdom of Jesus's commandments in your heart and then go about work with a good intention.
The
most interesting fact that Jesus reveals is that we will be loved by Him and
his Father if we keep his commandment.
Does it mean that he will not love us otherwise?
No,
it basically means that, when we keep his commandments in total, the obstacles
to understand, receive and experience the love of God will be far removed from
us and hence we will feel. experience and manifest the love of the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Lord,
I too want to know you and believe and experience your love for me
DD = Dedicated Discipleship: Come grow in the Lord with us
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