Living the Commandment

Gospel: John 14: 21-26

Jesus bids us to obey his commandment, and his commandment is to love one another as he loved us.  That is the entirety of the Christian life.  In wondering how to do this, Jesus had invited us to follow him.  In doing so, we observe him healing people of what ails them, liberating people from what holds them bound, and nourishing people at table with food and companionship.  These are the things we are to do in the particular lives in which we live.  

A person comes to a church wanting to become a Christian.  What process is followed at that point? Very often it is a lot of classes on doctrine and beliefs, along with practices on sacraments and prayer.  But almost none of it is about the fundamental things Jesus actually did.  So little of it has to do with the commandment of love.  Imagine if our catechumens and candidates spent their time following Jesus through the Gospels and carrying out these deeds of mercy and compassion as their catechesis!  

For so long formation in Christianity has been entirely intellectual, not that the intellect is unimportant.  However, the approach of Jesus throughout the Gospels is entirely affective, directed to the heart of the person.  It is a school of love and deeds that reflect that love.  If Christian formation is not about these things then it will continue to fail, for discipleship is not measured by a written exam, but rather by how one lives mercy and love in the world.