Word to the Wise
Sunday, May 6, 2018 - 6th Sunday of Easter - B
[Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17]"As the Father has loved me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love." [John]
The famous author, Gertrude Stein, in describing her hometown of Oakland, CA, notoriously declared, "There's no there, there!" Her comment comes to mind as I reflect on the important word in today's gospel passage (which we saw on last Friday, minus the section quoted above). What does "remain" mean? Some translations use "abide" or "live." One thinks of the old hymn, "Abide with me..." Others might use the word, "stay" as the disciples said on the road to Emmaus. The word means more than a visit. It means a presence but not a haunting presence. It is a loving "there-ness" that is ultimate and worth our very life. That is an ultimate love.
In the Farewell Discourse, Jesus is preparing the disciples for his ultimate act of love, his "lifting up" on the cross. It is the fulfillment of his words, "Greater love than this has no one than that they lay down their life for a friend." In a good marriage, spouses can say that, and they can say it to their children. It is more than a natural bond when faith enters into the relationship. It is "supernatural," but still very possible. We can experience it in close friendship as well. We "remain" in each other. We are united in so many ways. Our individualistic culture is creating a force that defies this kind of union and makes relationships a consumer item - a "throw-away" thing. It reaches into our relationship to Christ and then to one another. Our faith is left outside our relationships. Jesus is offering us a different way, an ultimate way, that we can share with others. It takes courage, but we have the Holy Spirit he has promised, and this means both joy and sacrifice that will make an ultimate difference in our lives. AMEN