Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BOAKYE YEBOAH

CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF KUMASI, GHANA

IF YOU LOVE ME…  

            Jesus writes a “romantic letter” to the believer – inviting her into a lovely relationship. One can understand John when he picks his words to write this Gospel passage. During Jesus’ ministry, it was an open secret that Jesus had a special love for John. John reciprocated that love not only in his relationship with Jesus but mostly in his unique way he wrote his Gospel account and his pastoral letters.

            In the whole of the New Testament corpus, I cannot find a passage that can be compared with the Vine imagery in John 15. Can you see how Jesus invites us into a three-interconnected love relationship? He does not only invite the believer into a closely-knit relationship but a relationship that will find closure with Jesus in the Father and under the controlling power of the Holy Spirit.

            As much as the invitation to this love relationship comes as a gift, Jesus places a condition on it. Even in the secular world those engaged in casual relationships lay down some basic rules.

            In a better manner, Jesus sets down some rules for anyone who wishes to enter into a love relationship with him. One should remember that Chapter 14 of John is a prelude to Chapter 15 which talks about Jesus as the vine and we as the branches. In today’s gospel passage Jesus states clearly the basis of loving him: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” then again he says: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.”

            In the Gospels there are some stages through which the love-relationship with Jesus seems to pass through. Studying scripture carefully, I have deduced three or four stages: the enticement stage, the instructive pedagogical stage; the legal stage; and the witness stage. If one can understand the requirements of a love-relationship with Jesus, then let us take a closer look at the various stages.

            The first stage is the enticement stage. Ordinarily, in the genesis of almost every love relationship, one party uses certain things to entice the other into a relationship. In the secular world we can talk of physical attraction, money, sweet talks/songs, one’s artful ability (display of talents) and other enticement elements. Some of these things are used as baits to attract the other person into a relationship. At this stage, the senses dominate the activities of the relationship. One should be careful in placing premium on all promises given at this stage because some of the promises given at this stage of the relationship are just meant to entice the other into a relationship. The chemistry may be high here but at all cost one should avoid any intimate act, else one will leave to regret if the relationship falls on rocks.

            The story may not be totally different in the religious circles. It was the prophet Jeremiah who declared that he was seduced by God and he allowed himself to be seduced (cf. Jeremiah 20:7). In the New Testament, we can see some of the things that Jesus used to attract his disciples to love him and follow him. Look at the genesis of the love relationship between Jesus and Peter. As an experienced fisherman, Jesus led him to a catch of fish that he had not witnessed all his life. After that miraculous catch, Peter had no option than to follow Jesus and love him.

            For some of us priests and religious, we all have different stories to tell on how Jesus “enticed” us into a love-relationship. When Jesus brings a person into his life, one’s life with Jesus becomes “an existential Yes, that one cannot do otherwise.”

            One should be careful not to define his/her love relationship at the enticement stage because that will be a big mistake. For the relationship to be sustained and kept, it should move to the pedagogical stage.

            This is the stage whereby the relationship goes through the instructional processes. The instruction should have a dialectic character that is, room should be given for the two persons in the relationship to share ideas on their love relationship and not that only one person will always be found talking.

            This is what Jesus did and the fruits of it, are the books we find in the New Testament corpus. Because Jesus wanted his disciples to understand the relationship the disciples were sharing with him, he took time to share his thoughts with them and also gave them the opportunity to ask him questions.

            The pedagogical stage fueled the growth of the relationship that Jesus shared with his disciples. It should be noted that at this stage, it is not everything that can meet the mental/reasonable acceptance of one of the parties but because of the strong bond/chemistry established at the first stage, one may opt to stay in the relationship. Evidence of this took place when Jesus taught his disciples on “eating his flesh and drinking his blood.” This doctrine made a lot of his disciples to leave the Christ company but when he asked those who remained why they did not leave, it was Peter who said “Lord to whom shall we go, for you have the words of eternal life.” Jesus will offer a doctrine that at times may be difficult to understand but we should trust him for his love is not one of betrayal.

            At this stage one ought to build the capacity to listen and listen well. Listening is very vital in the strengthening and consolidation of a relationship. The disciple who will make it to heaven is the one who is blessed with the ability to listen.

            We can learn from this in our respective relationships. This is the stage for building the blocks of the relationship. The stone which should be placed as the cornerstone of the relationship should be placed well. Much time should be given in a relationship for this stage and no party should be hurried in accepting things taught and shared. If need be, one can do some background checks especially when doubts are entertained.

            If this stage reaches an acceptable level, then parties involved can move the relationship to the legal stage of which today’s gospel has a lot to teach us. For us who share in a relationship with Jesus, he tells us that the proof of that relationship rests on keeping his commandments. It is at this stage that the do’s and don’ts of the relationship are accepted and lived in happiness. At times these do’s and don’ts may come with some challenges but the awareness, acceptance and willingness to try and live them will serve as the hope of the relationship. Do;s and don’ts of a relationship are not meant to enslave a person but they are there to serve the good of the parties involved in the relationship. Every good, solid, and lovely relationship is kept by some laws. Avoid any form of carefree relationship because it can be likened to a nation or a country that is lawless. But as much as I am recommending laws to help guide a relationship, one should avoid rigidity. Be flexible, lovely, and forgiveness in promoting laws in a relationship.

            If one is able to keep the commandments and the love relationship is stable, then (s)he is called to go forth and bear witness so that others may come to experience a relationship with Jesus. And this is what Philip did in the first reading. When he had arrived at stability of a relationship with Jesus, he went to the nations starting from Samaria to bear witness.

            Whatever Jesus is using to “entice” you into a relationship, fall for it because he will never betray you. Spend quality time to read the Word of God if you want to understand your relationship with Jesus. Then, you are also encouraged to keep the commandments. After all these do not be selfish with Jesus but rather tell others about him as Philip did. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PRAY FOR US.