Sixth Sunday of Easter -Yr. C. May 24,25-2025 Dcn. Bill Kenney
Ref. Jn. 14:23-29 Choose love and obedience to the Word.
If you touch a hot stove, then you’ll get burned. If you have your head down looking at your phone while crossing the street, then you might get hit by a car. If you read and study well, train and practice diligently, then you’ll be on the right path to accomplish your life’s goals. If you love one another, then you will be a disciple of Christ. If you love Jesus and keep his Word, then he will come and make his dwelling within you.
From our youth we learn the “if/then” alternatives of our choices to teach and remind us of life lessons. We come to understand and develop the virtues of obedience and love through our choices. We continue throughout our lives to realize the benefits and consequences of following or not following the rules of societal living, the doctrine of the church, or the precepts of God.
Our Gospel reading from John today is a continuation of the Last Supper discourse whereby Jesus assures us, his followers, of his leaving, yet promises his ever-present dwelling in our hearts and his eventual second coming. The context is such that these are the last moments of his life with his disciples. The shepherd shall be struck down and the sheep scattered, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, those obedient to his Word will live on in his love. Nearing the end of the Easter season, why are we back-tracking and revisiting this discourse? It’s because Jesus said, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, “…will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” Through the author’s inspired pen, we have the Gospels to remind us of Jesus’ Word. Like the early disciples, we too need these constant reminders of Christ’s presence in our lives through the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. We learn from our choices; the alternatives we face to drive home these important reminders. If you love Jesus, then you will keep, and be obedient to, his Word. “If you loved me, [then] you would rejoice that I am going to the Father…” Author and philosopher, Peter Kreeft, like a good disciple of the Holy Spirit, wonders, “Wouldn’t it be better if Jesus was still here on earth, if he never ascended? No. Because it is his Spirit we have, so we have Jesus more fully, more interiorly, more intimately than before the Spirit came [at Pentecost]”. His indwelling gives us new life in the Spirit, for our eternal salvation.
The Magisterium, the teaching arm of the Church, derives its authority by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are, therefore, reminded of Jesus Christ and his Word through the Church. The Holy Spirit will guide and empower our faith to love and follow Jesus' teachings. In what ways do you sense the Holy Spirit guiding your faith? By the exchange of our love and the love of the Father through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit of God the Father and the Son dwells in us and gives us peace.
Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” Christ’s gift of peace is echoed in our liturgy at every Mass because it is an important reminder that we are not alone and that we are to focus on the love and peace of Jesus within us as we go about our daily lives in faith and hope.
We hear of peace negotiations throughout the world: Israel and Hamas, Ukraine and Russia, Pakistan and India, and others. This worldly peace is often conditional and fleeting, subject to the whims of sin and hatred of fallible humans. Christ’s peace is founded on love, hope, justice, and forgiveness, in opposition to any pride and selfishness within us. As much as we offer each other the sign of peace, may Christ’s peace reign in our hearts.
Lord Jesus, give us hearts full of love and obedience to your Word, that through your Holy Spirit you may dwell in us. As we surrender ourselves to your holy will, help us to grow in faith, peace, and love, for the glory of God.