Remain in My Love

By: Ivonne J. Hernandez

After high school graduation, I went on to study engineering in college.  I graduated and went on to work as a software engineer for a few years.  I really enjoyed working in that field.  I had problems to solve, and I used flowcharts and rules to achieve the desired results.  When a test failed, I had methods to follow to find the error, and everything eventually made sense.  I’m sometimes tempted to think that my “engineering brain” gets in the way of my growth in holiness, but it is quite the opposite. It is that desire in me for understanding Truth that always leads me to the Cross, where eventually everything makes sense.

“If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”
​(John 15:10-12)

In order to remain in Jesus’ love and have complete joy, we must love one another as He loves us.  How can we do this? We can’t, at least not on our own.  We need His love in us; we need His heart in ours. At first glance, the scripture passage above seems like a catch-22, but it is not.  In His command, Jesus is inviting us to discover how He loves us.  He points us to the answer, the Cross. This is where we begin, and this is where we end.  

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
​(John 14:27)

As we accept His invitation and ponder on the mystery of the Cross, we allow ourselves to receive the love and mercy that pours out from His Sacred wounds.  As we let the reality of this mystery wash over us and fill our minds and hearts, His own love living in us allows us to love our neighbor and experience joy. 

“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
(Romans 12:2)

“Remain in my love,” remain at the Cross.  Do not run away.  Do not search for happiness in fleeting things but come to the source of complete joy. It might not make sense for a while, but ask for the grace, and “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
​

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay 

Ivonne J. Hernandez

Ivonne is a Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament, President of Elisheba House, and author of The Rosary: Eucharistic Meditations. She lives in Trinity, Florida, with her husband, Rick, and their children.