Living Jesus’ words brings us into a relationship of love, intimacy that makes us one

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“Today is a gift. Today is all I have. I will be fully awake in today.” — Lailah Gifty Akita.

In the first letter of John, there is perhaps the only definition given for “God” in the Bible.

It is, simply stated: “God is love. He [she] who lives in love, lives in God, and God in him [her]. Wherever there is love, there is God.”

That having been said, it makes even greater sense of today’s Gospel.

Jesus says to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments … I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. You are in me and I in you.”

Apart from the language of total intimacy, there is a kind of functional spirituality being described — if you “do” this, then “this” will happen to you.

Living Jesus’ words — commands — and following his example — way — brings us into a relationship of love and intimacy that makes us one.

In this love we will never feel abandoned or orphaned, but rather will “know” his presence, peace, love, care, healing, life, strength, power, and spirit, always growing more deeply within us.

A further piece of this functional spirituality is the connectedness we will experience with God our Father and creator by being in union with Jesus the Christ: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.”

All of this suggests the need for “surrender” to Jesus’ words — commands — and his example — way.

The surrender suggests that “trusting” and “living” his words and example will bring about peace and new life.

It is functional: Do it, trust it, and something will change in you. Something will begin to happen. You will discover new life — a new spirit.

Or to put it once again in Jesus’ own words: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.”

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.