Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

John 14:21-26

Jesus said to His disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Words alone will not be enough. But, where there is real love, Jesus will return that love by coming with his Father to dwell in that person.
 In this verse of John’s Gospel, it is Jude’s turn to ask a question. Jude is called “son of James” and listed among the Twelve. He is believed to be the ‘Thaddaeus’ of Matthew and Mark. He wants to know why Jesus only revealed himself to his disciples and not to the world. In his reply, Jesus is saying that anyone who responds to Him with love will certainly experience His love. The ‘world’ by definition in John’s Gospel consists of those who turn their backs on Jesus, his message and his love. “He who does not love me does not keep my words.”

Jesus reminds his disciples that everything he passes on to them comes ultimately from the Father and not from him alone. He is the mediator, the Way, and the Word of God. And later, after he is gone, the role was to be taken over by the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. The word ‘paraclete’ has many meanings but the most fitting is the explanation that it is someone who stands by you and gives you support and comfort. The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, fulfilled this role in the Church after Jesus returned to his Father.

Observe the life of the person who practices love and makes of their life a gift for others. The practice of love gives them a profound peace. It is in this willingness to love, that the soul becomes an invitation to the Spirit of Jesus to act in the heart of the believer, counseling and comforting him, even when the Lord is no longer physically present.

What Jesus said to Jude Thaddeus is in fact addressed to the Church today, as it waits on the Lord in hope and confidence until He comes again.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.

Enkindle within us the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Amen.