We return to the Gospel passage we read two weeks ago, along with verses 15-16 from earlier in the chapter. This teaching is so important that Jesus repeats it to help his first disciples remember it and put it into practice. Today we too have another opportunity to consider the significance of Jesus’s words.
Jesus asks the disciples to love him. Easy enough to say “yes”, you might think. But Jesus makes it clear that loving him takes far more than a simple word. Love in Jesus’s eyes has a very practical outcome and it takes the shape of obedience to his commandments.
Jesus continues with an amazing promise for everyone who obeys him. Both the Father and Jesus will come and live with them.
Jesus does not explain exactly what this “living with” will be like but it surely indicates a very special and intimate personal relationship.
At this point Jesus makes it clear that these words are not his own idea. This teaching comes directly from God the Father, which is of course equally true of all Jesus’s words.
Jesus now talks about the Helper, whom he reveals as the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is overlooked as people deepen their relationships with Jesus and the Father. But He plays a huge part in our relationship with Jesus. In this reading He is revealed to be a teacher and helper for the disciples, reminding them of Jesus’s teaching and helping them to understand and live it.
Perhaps in another sense the Holy Spirit is Jesus’s helper too. He continues the work Jesus started in the lives of the first disciples and in us today, now that Jesus has returned to his Father.
Jesus also repeats to the disciples that he will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to help them after he returns to heaven and promises that the Holy Spirit will stay with them forever.
MEDITATIO
Consider the role of God the Father in this passage. Which words of Jesus strike you most from today’s readings?
How do you respond to this connection between love and obedience?
Do you find some areas of Jesus’s teaching difficult to obey and put into practice in your life? What can you do about this? Consider the importance of the Holy Spirit in your everyday life. Read Romans 8:1-17.
Think about what this means for you.
ORATIO
Today we remember the dramatic way the Holy Spirit filled the first disciples on the day of Pentecost. Prayerfully read Acts 2:1-11 and give thanks to God for sending us the Holy Spirit to be our helper.
Each day this week ask the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and help you to live in a way that will please Jesus. It’s only with the Holy Spirit’s help that we can obediently love and serve Jesus.
CONTEMPLATIO
“For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God’s children, and by the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, Father! My Father!” (Romans 8:15).
Consider what an incredible privilege it is to be able to call Almighty God our Father and what it means to be his children.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.