Daily Gospel Reflection for May 19, 2014

Today's Gospel: John 14:21-26

How often do we hear that the Catholic Church is just a backward set of rules? Do you sometimes feel this way? The truth is that Jesus Christ answers this complaint in today’s Gospel reading. He tells the Disciples that, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” Wow! Amazing words! If we love Him and follow His commandments He will dwell in us.

Love requires a lot from us. When I chose to marry my husband, I was choosing to abandon myself to become one flesh with him. That meant dying to self. Do I still struggle? Absolutely. It is the same with my daughter. She is slowly, but surely, ripping the selfishness right out of me. But, because I love them, I desire their good. I want what is best for them. The same thing, even more so, is true of God. Because He loves us infinitely, He desires what is good for us. He knows what is best for us and a lot of times it is not what we think.

Some Church teaching can be difficult to grasp, and obedience can be difficult, but the truth is that God gave us those commandments because they will make us a Saint. He is calling each one of us to sainthood, and in order to become a Saint, we must live His rules. Not because He is a tyrant, but because He wants to free us from those things that will weigh us down, or kill our souls.

So, the next time you hear someone complain about Church teaching, or you struggle yourself, remember that it is always for your own good. It is so that we can grow in love of God and He can dwell in us. God wants each one of us to be a Saint. He is showing us the way. A good way to better understand His Church is to buy a Catechism of the Catholic Church for your home. Slowly read through it and you will discover even more of God’s great love for you.

Ponder:

Do I accept God’s commandments and rules as a part of His love for me? Are there areas of my life where I need to be obedient? Do I truly know how much He loves me?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great love. Teach me to be obedient to your commandments as they have been handed down by the Church. Help me to become a Saint so that I may be united with you in Heaven. Help me to understand that all you ask of me is because of your immense love for me.

Copyright 2014 Constance Hull