In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus invites us to “abide in his love.” “Abiding” is a wonderfully evocative Biblical word: it means “to remain”, “to dwell”, “to draw life”, “to be at home with.” Keeping Jesus’ commandments is not just observing some set of external rules, fearful that we will be punished if we disobey. Jesus’ “commandment” is in fact an invitation: to find our home in the Father’s love, to experience the joy God desires for each of us, to embrace God’s call to friendship with one another, and to discover the fruitfulness that comes from a living relationship with God in Jesus.

How can we respond positively to this invitation to new life? Often, with the busyness of our daily lives, the struggles and burdens we cope with, we forget that we have been called by Jesus to abundant life in Him and through Him. How is God finding his way into your heart? Especially after a long, cold winter, spring is a wonderful time to be reminded of a God who is the source of life and beauty: bright sunshine, blossoming trees, flowers springing from the earth, God at work in and through his creation. We so easily take all this for granted. We are called to carve out some quiet space to meditate on God’s word, to thank him for our daily blessings, to ask for strength in our daily needs: to remain connected to Jesus, as branches drawing life from the vine.

One unique and precious way in which Jesus’ pledge to “abide” with us is made real is in the gift of the Eucharist. As our catechetical program breaks for the summer, we pray today for all the children whose faith is being nourished by the “Be My Disciples” program, and in a special way for those who next weekend will be welcomed around the table of the Lord as they celebrate their First Holy Communion. May they truly become what they receive: the Body of Christ, Jesus’ true and living presence in the world. May God also bless their families, their catechists, and all those who have prepared them for this special encounter with Jesus, who comes into their hearts to reveal the Father’s love for all of God’s children. We are the Body of Christ!