Scripture Reflection – Sixth Sunday of Easter (20-21st of May)

In the Gospel this weekend Jesus introduces two great themes, we know them, although they are not always connected.  “If you love me, keep my commandments…One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is the one who loves me.”  (John 14:14)  Jesus links love and obedience.  It is tempting to talk about God’s love without mentioning our duty to obey.

The English word obey comes from the latin auidire to listen.  Or to fine tune it a little to listen.  We cannot follow a command or an order unless we listen to what is being sked of us.  Further, to listen is not to hear – they are two separate things.  We hear many sounds most of which we pay little attention to or are unaware of them.  To listen requires that we give our fullest attention, to concentrate and absorb the information so that we can respond in an appropriate way.

Thus, the way of the Christian is to be a listener to God’s Word – not just to hear it – but to be conscious of it; concentrate on the information and absorb it so that it informs how we are to love God with the intensity of our lives and our neighbour as ourselves.