He who has my
commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be
loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." Judas
(not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest
yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If a man
loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come
to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my
words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. "These
things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all
things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
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Do you know the love
that surpasses all, that is stronger than death itself? In Jesus' last supper
discourse he speaks of the love he has for his disciples and of his Father's
love. He prepares his disciples for his imminent departure to return to his
Father by exhorting them to prove their love for him through their loyalty and
obedience to his word. He promises them the abiding instruction and consolation
of the Holy Spirit. Saint Augustine says the Lord loves each of us as if
there were only one of us to love. God’s love for each of us is as real and
tangible as the love of a mother for her child and the love of a lover who
gives all for his beloved. God made us for love – to know him personally and to
grow in the knowledge of his great love for us. How can we know and be assured
of the love of God? The Holy Spirit helps us to grow in the knowledge of God
and his great love. The Spirit enables us to experience the love of God and to
be assured of the Lord’s abiding presence with us. The Holy Spirit also opens
our ears to hear and understand the word of God. Do you listen attentively to
God's word and believe it? Ask the Holy Spirit to inflame your heart with the
love of God and his word.
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"Lord Jesus, in
love you created me and you drew me to yourself. May I never lose sight of you
nor forget your steadfast love and faithfulness. And may I daily dwell upon
your word and give you praise in the sanctuary of my heart, You who are my
All."
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