In today’s Gospel – John 14:23-29 – we hear Jesus’ promise to the disciples: “‘My Father will love those who keep my word, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” There are two important parts to this statement by Jesus. The first is Jesus’ command “to keep his word.” The second is Jesus’ promise that he and the Father will dwell with us. This is the third time Jesus commands the disciples to “keep” his word (or commandment) and each command is accompanied by a promise of divine presence – see 14:15, 21 & 23. The command and the promise are of a piece. The interdependence of the command and the promise are beautifully implied in 1 John 2:5-6: “Whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection.
By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked.”The Greek word, t?re? – used in the command – can be translated as “keep” or “guard” or “watch over.” Consider our English use of the word, “keep.” It can have various connotations. For example, if you say of someone you have loved, “I will keep their memory close to my heart,” you are communicating something different from when you say, “You can keep my biro.” The promise indicates that the command has a deeply personal – even intimate – connotation to it.
The Greek word, mon? – used in the promise – has its roots in the verb men? which means “abide,” “remain,” “continue” or “stay.” It is used by John to express one of his primary ways of describing the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. We find it, for example, in 8:32 – “‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’” – and in the image of the vine in 15:1-17, where it appears no fewer than eleven times. Note especially 15:9-10: “‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.’”
The command invites. The promise is embedded in that invitation. It is an eternal commitment from God, awaiting our response. God’s promise, together with the invitation, will always be there. God will never withdraw the invitation or break that promise. Our openness meets the openness of God.
Concretely, this openness to God, implies living out our days in a humble embrace of human existence as it emerges moment by moment. This includes embracing the social structures and institutional realities in our lives, with all their peculiar needs, limits and possibilities. Paradoxically, it is within those peculiar needs, limits and possibilities, that we experience the divine presence. Truly, God is dwelling here with us with both invitation and promise.
Journal and reflect on the following
What does it mean to me personally to 'keep' or 'guard' the word of Jesus in my daily life?
How do I recognize God's abiding presence in the ordinary structures and relationships of my everyday life?
What prevents me at times from being open to God’s invitation and promise to dwell with me?
How does the concept of “abiding” shape the way I understand my relationship with Jesus?
Where in my life have I experienced the truth of God’s promise through faithful obedience or love?
How can I cultivate greater attentiveness to the presence of God in both my strengths and limitations?
In what ways am I being invited right now to respond more fully to God’s enduring offer of relationship and love?
Discuss
Song - All I Am
Final Prayer
Loving God, you who dwell within all who love and keep your word, help us to welcome your presence more deeply into our lives. Teach us to listen with open hearts, to respond with faithful action, and to recognize you in the quiet rhythms of our daily routines and relationships. May your Spirit guide us to abide in your love with courage, humility, and joy. As we journey as pilgrims of hope, inspired by the example of Mary and Saint Marcellin Champagnat, may we become living signs of your peace in our communities and a reflection of your enduring promise to never leave us. Amen.
(Audio Available)
