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6th Sunday of Easter, 2025
“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 14:1
Our Creator has made us for greatness. When God called us into being, he gave each one of us a great purpose. On the exterior, it will differ one from another. Each of us is given a purpose that in some way is linked to the good of another, of humanity. This purpose is often called a vocation. It is realized and driven by love, a love that is made visible by our self-gift to others. “By this shall everyone know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is seen in what we do, who we are. It doesn’t depend on a feeling to make it real. It is its essence that makes it real. This is because, as we heard in today’s Gospel, Jesus has promised us the indwelling of God through his Spirit. The indwelling of God is where our greatness abides and every time we silence our self-preoccupation and yield to God’s presence, the gift of the Holy Spirit provides all that we need to fulfill our call, our purpose, and walk in the Way that Jesus IS for us. “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.” It is through this in-dwelling that our greatness and purpose are given life and direction.
Let me share with you a little story. A schoolmaster in France was discouraged with one of his students. He wrote in his roll book concerning this student: “He is the smallest, the meekest, the most unpromising boy in my class.” Half a century later, an election was held in France to select the greatest Frenchman. By popular vote, that meekest, smallest, most unpromising boy was chosen. His name? Louis Pasteur, the founder of modern medicine. When he was seventy-three, a national holiday was declared in his honor. He was too weak to attend the ceremony in Paris, so he sent a message to be read by his son. The message read: The future belongs not to the conquerors but to the saviors of the world.” Louis Pasteur was driven by a great purpose. Your name and my name may never be household words as is Pasteur’s, but we, too, can be driven by a great purpose. Christ can give us that purpose. But there is one thing more Jesus gives us. He gives us the presence of the Holy Spirit. A healthy sense of identity and a driving purpose are not enough in themselves. One thing more is needed. It is the in-dwelling Spirit of God.
In these final weeks before Pentecost, may God’s tender love enfold each of us in peace, in purpose and in love.