To love as Jesus calls us to love requires that we be ONE with Him. A relationship with Jesus involves us walking with Jesus moment-by-moment, heart-to-heart, so that His love and His grace can enable us to discern and act in accordance with the Will of God.
Welcome to "Preparing for the Passion: A Spiritual Journey through Lent," a weekly series to enrich your observance of the holy penitential season.
By Sylvia
PassionofChrist.ca
In a previous article, I noted that it is the desire of God’s heart to be in a relationship with each and every one of us. God calls us to hear His voice in so many different ways. He waits for us hoping that we will take His hand and allow Him to transform our lives as He transforms our hearts.
As the holy season of Lent is drawing to a close, let's continue this conversation.
Baptism is the beginning
Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave His apostles these instructions: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).
Baptism marks the official beginning of our relationship with Jesus as Christians. We receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism and become followers of Christ.
Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). Jesus’ commandment to love encompasses all people, not just those we ‘"like."
Jesus says, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:32).
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
To love as Jesus calls us to love requires that we be ONE with Him. A relationship with Jesus involves us walking with Jesus moment-by-moment, heart-to-heart, so that His love and His grace can enable us to discern and act in accordance with the Will of God.
This is the life of grace, living with Our Lord Jesus persistently day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute.
The vine and the branches
Recall that Jesus said, "“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The vine and the branch must remain CONNECTED for the branch to live and succeed in bearing fruit.
Prayer keeps us connected: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Jesus becomes ONE with us in Holy Communion. He calls us to His table. He wants to become ONE with us. We must receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist with reverence and a sacred appreciation that He is truly present.
Recall the words of St. Paul to the first Christians “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1 Corinthians 11:29).
A plan for success
Jesus has a Plan for Success. There is no human being in the world that does not want to prosper and be successful. God has plans for each and every one of us:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
The reason there is so much turmoil in our world is that too few people are truly living in an intimate relationship with Jesus. The world teaches people to trust in themselves, but God desires that our trust be in Him. People value money, but Jesus teaches us, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13).
Fidelity or obedience to God is the successful outcome of an intimate relationship with Jesus. There will be times when we may feel tempted to take a decision that is contrary to the Holy Will of God and it is in those times that we must ask ourselves, "How much do I love Jesus?"
Temptation is conquered by holy desire!
The key to fidelity
The more I get to know Jesus, the more I love Him, the more I desire a relationship with Him. The more I contemplate the Passion of Christ, the more I love Jesus and the more I want to be faithful to Him.
For me, holy desire, the desire for the things of God was born at the foot of Cross. As I remember how much Jesus suffered for me and you and all souls, I am filled with holy desire to please Him. I know I cannot be "holy on my own," but by drawing continuously close to Jesus, His holiness can silence the voice of temptation and keep me from falling and sinning.
An intimate, faithful relationship with Jesus is marked by an ongoing commitment to three things: LOVE, MERCY AND JUSTICE.
Love grows as we strive to love one another and help Jesus to save souls.
God’s love conquers evil. As we pray for the enemies of God we are praying for those in Satan’s grip — murderers and criminals of all sorts.
If we want to silence the power of the evil one (Satan), then we must commit to both prayer and sacrifice. The power of the evil one (Satan) in our world grows when people turn away from God, but evil can be stopped if we choose to devote our lives to God.
That’s what an intimate relationship with Jesus is all about: Giving glory to God, honoring Him, and serving Him as we strive to love and serve one another.
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