Dear Friends,
Jesus tells his disciples in the gospel today, “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. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.”
So what does it mean “to keep his word”? We know what it means for us to keep our word, but what does it mean to keep Jesus’ word? It certainly would not mean that we should simply keep it in a drawer or nestled away into some corner of our heart like a treasure we do not want anyone to find. Nor is it a matter of memorizing his teaching or knowing it as a subject of study. No, keeping Jesus’ word means putting that word into practice.
How did Jesus teach his own disciples? He invited them to follow him and then asked them to do the same things that he was doing.
I think a good way to look at it is the way great artists have learned from the masters – learning by example. Many years ago, Michael Polanyi wrote about learning by example, he says: “To learn by example is to submit to authority. You follow your master because you trust his manner of doing things even when you cannot analyze and account in detail for its effectiveness. By watching the master and emulating his efforts in the presence of his example, the apprentice unconsciously picks up the rules of the art, including those which are not explicitly known to the master himself. These hidden rules can be assimilated only by a person who surrenders himself to that extent uncritically to the imitation of the master.”
To draw near to Jesus we must learn discipleship in every part of our being, not just in our heads. Jesus did not write a book, but he took a band of “protégés” to walk with him and he humbly and consistently passed on the hidden rules of service. Disciples today live what Jesus taught, they model it for others, and they invite others to imitate them. Like any great art, we need those who practice the art to inspire others to be willing to learn by doing.
This Sunday, our second graders are making their first communion. They are following the example of the older followers of Jesus and they are imitating them. They know through the actions of the older members that receiving communion is important, that the encounter is very intimate, that disciples are transformed in the reception of Eucharist, and that they are sent forth to be Jesus for the world. The second graders have longed to receive Jesus for some time now and they are eager for this powerful encounter to take place. They help us “older members” to remember that reception of communion is nothing we should take for granted, but is an incredible gift from God to help us truly live as his disciples.
On Thursday we celebrate Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Please come and celebrate with us during this holy day of obligation. There are four Masses scheduled between Wednesday evening and Thursday that fulfill the obligation. See you there!
Peace,
Fr. Damian