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6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR C)

1st Reading    Acts 15:1–2,22–29

Resp. Psalm   Ps. 67

2nd Reading   Rev. 21:10-14, 22-23

Gospel             Jn. 14:23-29

BE TEACHABLE

Dear friends, we are still within the last days of Jesus' life on earth after his Resurrection. The disciples recieve words on how they will live their lives in relation to one another and to God.

Today, Jesus draws a difference between two groups of people as regards their response to his Words. There are those who keep his word (v. 23) and those who do not (v. 24). To them that keep his word on account of their love for Jesus, there is an experience of the Trinitarian life. Three things will happen to such a person.

1. The Father will LOVE him 

2. We will COME to him (erchomai)

3. We will make our HOME with him (monē)

Monē (home or abode) speaks in a metaphorical sense about the Holy Spirit's indwelling in the person who KEEPS (tēreo), thus guards and gives careful attention to God's Word. This individual reveres the Words of Christ. In his or her reverence of the Words of Christ, that individual attempts to draw out the meaning of Christ's Words for his life. He seeks to understand. 

We can only be helped to understand if we already possess what has been said to us. A person who Keeps (guards, gives careful attention and reveres the Words of Christ) attempts to discern. It is only he who makes an effort who is helped. 

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (PARACLETOS) in the person who loves and keeps Christ's Words will effect in him 2 things. The Paraclete (the one who is called to one's aid, to one's side as helper) will TEACH. We know a teacher to be that fellow who explains. In his attempt to help you, the Holy Spirit will TEACH you, explain to you what Christ's Words means. In this way, the Holy Spirit will expose you to the full truth. 

Secondly, the Holy Spirit will retain what has been explained to you. The Spirit will cause you to REMEMBER. The issue is that having being taught, you will be able to use the principles to discern what is right and wrong. You will be admonished. 

Living Good moral lives is closely tied to KEEPING Christ's Words. It is by giving due regard for it and attempting to discern that we are aided. Our acts of keeping Christ's Words tell of our love for Christ. 

I believe this 6th Sunday of Easter invites us to throw ourselves into introspection. Have we had reverence for God's Word to the point of using it as the foundation for morality? What is my attitude to the Word of God? Am I being taught and reminded by the Spirit?

May the Lord help us.

Amen.

Pax et Bonum

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