Today is the sixth Sunday of Easter
The focus of today’s readings is the Holy Spirit, fitting since we’re approaching Pentecost. However, I want to focus on the commandments of Jesus that He says we are to keep.
When Jesus refers to His commandments what is He talking about? Does He mean the Ten Commandments? Probably not specifically. Think about the Beatitudes and His comments in the Sermon on the Mount. Think too about His New Commandment for us to love others as He loves us. The Two Great Commandments as well.
When we love as He loves we are “willing the good of the other” as Aquinas wrote and Bishop Barron reminds us. In other words we want what’s best for that person regardless of what’s it it for us. Not only are we to love those we think are lovable but everyone, whether we think they deserve our love or not, even our enemies. Read the parable of the Good Samaritan in Lk 10 for more on that.
Jesus also tells us we must forgive if we are going to be forgiven. We all know that can be difficult, but it is the requirement, whether difficult or not. Sometimes praying for the change of heart that will allow us to forgive is the only step we can take. Eventually God gives us the change we need so we can forgive as we should.
There are certainly other commandments Jesus expects us to follow but you get the point.
One of the main thing about all this is that our following of His commandments require action, not just thought. Like other parts of the Christian life thought, prayer and so forth, are good, but ultimately we need to turn to action. It’s good to want the hungry to be fed and the homeless to be housed but we need to move it from desire to action, at least if we are able to do so. I realize there are those physically unable to do some of these things. Those do what they can and the rest of us take action as well as pray for others and an improvement in their situation.
As you’re reading the Gospels I encourage you to look for examples of commandments that Jesus emphasizes and then ask how are you doing at those. What do we need to improve on? How do we take those commandments and give them actions?
Love, forgive, serve, feed, clothe, house, make disciples, and more are not just suggestions, they are commands, and we are obliged to respond appropriately given our individual situations.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Peace, Bob
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