“Remain in My Love . . .”
The theme of remaining connected to Christ continues throughout the Gospel this weekend. I cannot stress enough the importance of being connected to Christ. He admonishes and invites us to remain always in His love. With this invitation, there is an attached promise. If we remain in His love, then the joy that He embodies will be ours. That simply means that true joy is found in Christ. If you are searching for true happiness, then why not go to the source of all joy and happiness? How do we stay connected? Well, Jesus gives us the formula and St. John reminds us how to live a life connected to Christ. First the formula as prescribed by Christ: keep the Commandments and sacrifice for others. And St. John gives us the mode of life that fosters a connection with Christ, namely, to love. He tells us in the second reading for Holy Mass today: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” There you have both the formula and the means to remain in Christ ~ use them wisely.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne