6th Sunday of Easter - A

Commentary

John 14: 15 – 21

Jesus’ Commandments

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Often, we might think where there is a sense of obligation, there is no love.

And sometimes, God’s commandments are thought to be obligations or burdens, things that God “makes” us do.

That is not the case.

Both God’s commandments, given to Moses, and the new Law, given by Jesus, form God’s way of love.  By observing God’s way, we grow in love.  God’s life actually grows in us when we live God’s love. 

As Jesus continues speaking with his disciples during the Last Supper, later on, he will specify his commandment: “This is my commandment, that you love one another.” (15:12)

And earlier, he gives us both the reason and the manner of this love,  “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (13:15).  He has loved us first.  Therefore, and in the same manner, we are to love.

Thus, the commandments here are not given as obligations, but as the gift and the way of love.