John 14:15-21
At the heart of John’s Gospel we find the four inter-connecting themes of Light, Life, Love and Glory. Whenever we hear one, the other three are implicit. We can see these themes as keys which can help us to unlock the text.
At this point in Eastertide we have covered a good deal of theological ground. With the repetition of familiar texts in the weekday and Sunday liturgies we have hopefully had the opportunity to deepen our personal connections with the major themes.
Anybody who receives
my commandments
and keeps them
will be one who loves me;
and anybody who loves me
will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love him
and show myself to him.
So today when I hear the word ‘love’ I come to it with a whole tapestry of meaning. This love asks that I be attentive and helps me see the things of God (Light). It is the source of all I need to grow and flourish (Life). It promises that every joy and sorrow that I experience draws me deeper into the Paschal mystery (Glory). This dynamic begins and ends with God’s initiative.
How Can you respond to God’s initiative today?