In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that are both simple and deeply challenging:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments…I will not leave you orphans…I am in you.”
These are not just comforting words. They are life-changing words, if we truly understand them. Many people today think of faith as something we believe, something in our minds. We believe in God. We believe in Jesus. We agree with His teachings. And while this is true Jesus is telling us something much deeper.
He is not asking us simply to believe in Him. He is inviting us to live in union with Him. This is the heart of our faith.
Jesus says, “I am in you.” That means He is not distant. He is not far away. He is not just someone we remember from the past or look toward in heaven. He is present. He is alive. And through the gift of the Holy Spirit, He dwells within us.
This changes everything. Because if Christ truly lives in us, then our lives become the place where others encounter Him. People may not see Jesus with their eyes. But they should be able to see Him in us.
They see Him: when we choose patience…forgive…show kindness and…when we love. This is what Jesus means when He says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Love is not just a feeling. Love is something that becomes visible. It is lived. It is chosen. It is embodied in our daily actions.
Jesus also says, “I will not leave you orphans.” What a powerful promise. There are moments in life when we feel alone, when we carry burdens, uncertainties, or struggles that no one else fully understands. In those moments, Jesus reminds us that we are never abandoned.
Through the Holy Spirit, He remains with us—guiding us, strengthening us, and reminding us who we are. We are not alone…We are not forgotten…We are not without help…We are His.
And if we allow Him, He will live His life through us. So perhaps the most important question for us this week is not simply: “Do I believe in Jesus?” But rather: “Is Jesus alive in me?”
Can others see Him in the way I speak, the way I act, the way I love? This is our call, not perfection, but presence. Not having all the answers, but allowing Christ to be seen through us.
As we continue through this Easter season, may we open our hearts more fully to the presence of Christ within us. And may our lives become a living reflection of Him, so that through us, others may come to know His love.
Be assured of my prayers for you and your families.