In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to “abide in his love.” To “abide” is one of those wonderfully evocative Biblical words: it means “to remain”, “to dwell”, “to draw life”, “to be at home with.” Keeping the commandments Jesus gives us is not just observing some set of external rules, fearful that we will be punished if we disobey. The “commandment” of love is 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 with which we must deal, we too easily forget the reality of this call of Jesus to abundant life in Him. This is why we need to be reminded. And God finds his own way into each of our hearts. Spring is a wonderful time to be reminded of a God who is the source of life and beauty: the bright sunshine, the blossoms on the trees, the flowers springing forth from the earth, speak to us of a God who cares for all his creation. It is also a good time to find a quiet corner to meditate on God’s word, to thank him for our daily blessings, to ask for strength in our daily needs. We are assured that the same God whose eye “is on the sparrow” watches over us. One unique and precious way in which Jesus’ pledge to “abide” with us is made real is in the gift of the Eucharist. We pray in a special way today for the children of our parish who receive Jesus into their hearts next weekend in their First Holy Communion. May they “become what they receive”: the Body of Christ, Jesus’ real and living presence in the world. Let us ask God also to bless their families, their catechists, and all who have prepared them for this special encounter with Jesus, who comes into their hearts and reveals to them the Father’s love. Jesus also promises the gift of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to those who abide in his love. Let us also keep in our prayers our young people who will be confirmed by Msgr. Francis Coyle on May 14. Holy Spirit, rain down!