Gospel: John 15: 9-11
"Remain in my love."
Jesus knew how difficult this exhortation would be. We encounter the cruelty, lies, and betrayal of the world as a constant drumbeat. These wounds wear away at us, tempting us to abandon everything and give up hope. Jesus knew all these things very well. Throughout the Gospels we find Jesus encountering hostility and deception. Toward the end of his life we find him executed in a barbaric manner, after first being betrayed, denied, and abandoned by his friends.
Yet in spite of all that, Jesus first forgives all those who put him to death on the cross, uttering words of pardon in the midst of his execution. What is more, after rising from the dead Jesus returns to visit his disciples who had betrayed, denied, and abandoned him. His words of greeting to them were words of peace and reconciliation. Contrary to all our impulses, Jesus always takes the path of healing and peace.
Remain in my love. We are to remain in the love of Jesus, not ours or anyone else's. It is our ongoing task throughout life to embody the love of Jesus in our own lives, finding ways to continually move forward in love to serve others in love and mercy, finding ways to forgive and extend peace to others. We do this knowing that the path of peace and reconciliation of Jesus is the way of the cross, that time and again our love and peace will be rejected. But we continue to offer it - how can we offer anything else?
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