They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
I count the word “love” six times in today’s Gospel. It is one of the great words.
At some point in our lives, I pray we have all experienced loving and being loved in some capacity. While reading this, take a moment to think about it—a spouse, a sibling, family, a movie, a book, a pet, a song, a place you have visited or lived, a team, an activity or a friend. Is there a better feeling than being loved and/or loving someone or something?
We read in today’s Gospel that Jesus tells us that if we love him, then we will be both loved in return and Jesus will reveal himself to us. Not a bad deal! As I read this passage, I know one thing for certain that gives me great peace: I know I love God. I know God loves me.
One of the great gifts of St. Ignatius is the Examen. We are invited to look back on our day with gratitude and notice when we experienced the closeness of God’s love and/or when we felt distant from God’s love. It is a great instrument of awareness in how God is revealing those experiences to us.
As you go through your day today, consider taking time to pray the Examen and to remember the love that exists in your life.
—Dan O’Brien is a graduate of Loyola Academy and John Carroll University. He has worked for the Jesuits for 20 years and currently serves as a Regional Advancement Director for the Midwest Jesuits based in Milwaukee, WI.
—An Ignatian Examen
Please share the Good Word with your friends!
