Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 14, 2023

John 14:15-21

Jesus makes its clear, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).” Thus, when we genuine love Jesus, it is never enough to simply shout, “Jesus, I believe in You!” or say, “Yes, I love You, Lord!” To love Jesus means that we are committed to observe His laws, follow His teachings, and imitate His examples. Why is to keep Jesus’ commandment fundamental for us Christians?

To get the answer we must go back and understand the Old Testament better. For the Israelites, the Law of the Lord (Hebrew: Torah) is not only important, but also precious, identity-forming, and salvific. It is precious because God Himself crafted and gave the laws to the Israelites in Mount Sinai. It is even more precious because the Law became the fundamental sign of Israel’s covenant with the Lord. By keeping the Law, Israel gradually formed their identity as the people of God. By observing the Law, they longer worshiped other deities, but the Lord alone. By living the ten commandments, they lived no longer like other people surrounding them, who committed atrocious acts like child-sacrifice, various sexual perversions, and other immoral behaviors.

However, what makes this Law truly precious is there is salvation for those are faithful to the covenant and who devoutly keep the Law of the Lord. Because of this, the Israelites recognized that the Law is neither arbitrary nor burdensome, but the proof of God’s love for them. Therefore, to repay God’s love, there is no other better way than observing God’s Law faithfully. From this Old Testament background, we now recognize why it is fundamental to keep Jesus’ commandment as a sign of our love for Him. As the people of the Old Testament observe the Law as their way to show fidelity and love to the God, the Giver of Law, so also, we keep Jesus’ commandment as our way to express our love and faithfulness.

Yet, we admit that to keep Jesus’ Laws is much difficult that we often imagine. To control and moderate our anger is already very difficult, but Jesus instructs us to forgive those who wrong us. To love our own relatives and friends are already tough, but Jesus commands us to love those we consider enemies. To keep marriage intact is challenging, but Jesus teaches that marriage cannot be dissolved by man and couples are expected to be faithful until death.

How is possible to love Jesus if to keep His commandments seem impossible? It is indeed impossible if we rely on our own strength, but it is made possible with God’s power. That’s why after Jesus taught, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Immediately, He promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete or in Greek, “Parakletos.” This exceptional word comes from two more basic Greek words, “para” means “at the side,” and “kaleo” means “to call.” Thus, “parakletos” can be understood as someone who is called to be at our side, especially in times of need. The only way, we love Jesus and keep His commandments is through the help and power of the Holy Spirit.

As we are moving closer to the day of Pentecost, the day of the Holy Spirit, we are invited to deepen our relationship with the Holy Spirit. We continue to ask His assistance and grace that enable us to do the impossible: to keep His commandments and to love Jesus.

Rome

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP