Monday, April 29, 2024
Acts 14:5-18; Jn 14:21-26
Today’s Gospel reminds me of a few lines from Tagore’s Gitanjali.
‘I shall ever try to drive all evils away from my heart and keep my love in flower, knowing that thou hast thy seat in the inmost shrine of my heart.
And it shall be my endeavour to reveal thee in my actions, knowing it is thy power gives me strength to act.’
For John, love is the basis of everything. Today’s Gospel becomes an example in this regard.
When we imitate God in love, as Tagore understands, God becomes the resident of our hearts.
The gift of obedient love is to be God’s dwelling place. Jesus promises, ‘We will come to him and make our dwelling with him.’
It is surprising that Jesus speaks of the Divine Community as being present in the person who exemplifies obedient love.
Secondly, Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will be our advocate and who will remind us of whatever Jesus has taught us.
In our obedient love, we will enjoy the gift of the Spirit.
St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast we celebrate today, understood the true gift of obedient love when she said, ‘All the way to heaven is heaven.’
Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar
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