The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
One thing remains
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
John 14:23
I want to germinate in God’s promise. I want to bury my soul in the rich soil of His promise and let that promise change me from a seed into a flower, an evergreen flower. I want roots so intertwined in His promise. I want to breathe in unison with that promise. I want to act and love out of the place where His promise and my being kiss…and He pines for that too.
This Sunday we find ourselves in the blessed space between the joy of the Resurrection and the pending outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Father fills this space with His promise. Today, it’s the promise that He will send us His Spirit, that this Spirit will teach us everything and remind us of all Jesus taught. It’s the promise that if we love Him, He and the Father will make their dwelling within us. These sweet words of Jesus are words of a God that is so deeply in love with us. He wants to draw us deeper into himself because at the end of days, as we reflect with the Church on Revelations these weeks, God wants to espouse us. That’s what all of this is about. Despite the many uncertainties of the world in culture, politics, tragedies, and natural disasters, one thing remains- God’s promise. He wants to yoke Himself to us, make us pure and spotless, and give us His life for all eternity. I only dabble at understanding this in my own marriage, and it melts my face for me to try to comprehend what God is doing. The love I have for my husband is so real and steadfast, and amidst our trials and joys I find my home in his soul. His love washes over me and blesses me beyond measure. How great is our Father that He allows us to partake in this sign of who He is, a sign of His promise?
These are stout promises of a Father who holds nothing back but gives everything to His children. Let us steep or percolate (whichever you prefer) in that. Let us be blessed by that and go forth in confidence as beloved sons & daughters of a generous Father.
Chelsea Harkins is a wife, mom, and physical therapist. She resides in Irving, Texas with her husband, Ryan and son, John Paul. She and her husband are cofounders of a marriage apostolate, Three to Thrive, for young engaged and newly married couples. They seek to inspire and connect young couples so that they can build a joy filled marriage for life through monthly opportunities to recommit to their marriage through practical and spiritual formation and community.