Remain in my love

At 15,7-21; Ps 95; Jn 15,9-11
23 MAY

The Law is the only possible way to love. One loves only by fulfilling the will of the Lord, both in what it prohibits and in what it commands. Never might true love exist, that which comes from God and which gives all life, out of the law. The Book of Psalms begins by proclaiming blessed those who do not walk through the path of folly.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish (Ps 1,1-6).

Psalm 119 is a whole prayer of the just aimed at the perfect knowledge and understanding of the Law of the Lord, because he will never want to get out of it. He will want to love it as the author of it is loved, without any difference. God and his law are one. We love God by loving the Law. We love the Law by loving God. Never must one separate the Law of the Lord and the Lord from the Law.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your ordinances are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness. May Your loving kindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word; So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances. So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed. I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love. And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, Which I love; And I will meditate on Your statutes (Ps 119 (118), 33-48).

Jesus asks us to stay in his love. One remains in his love by remaining in his Law. But what is the Law of Christ Jesus? It is the will of God revealed in the Old Testament and brought to fulfilment by Him. It is every Word of his Gospel, to which obedience is owed always keeping our eyes fixed on Him, as He kept them fixed on his Father. It is obedience to the Holy Spirit and to the new nature created by him in every sacrament of salvation. This obedience is essence, substance and truth of the love that Christ Jesus asks of us. A pope can only love by obeying his truth as a pope and thus a bishop, a presbyter, a deacon, a confirmed and a baptized person. Who receives the Eucharist owes a very special obedience to the Holy Spirit. We must always add to this obedience the one due to the special vocation and mission of each one. The perfection of love is obedience to our personal charisma. Those who want to remain in the love of Jesus must remain in these obediences.

As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

Today we must denounce the modern prophecy on love. This prophecy is false because it separates love from every law of love desired and established by God, to be lived in Christ and in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Either we return to the divine law, or there is no possibility of living with true love. Without Law love is the most monstrous and abominable of selfishness. But by now it is this false prophecy that rules the hearts.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that Christians are converted to the Law of love.