Has anyone ever made a request of you by beginning with the caveat “if you love me?” Many times when people prefaces a request with these words, it is because they are preparing to ask for something beyond a reasonable or agreeable request. Jesus uses these words in today’s Gospel, but all he asks for is to keep the commandments. It is not an impossible or unreasonable request but one that truly guides our lives on a path of faith in God and love for one another.
There is nothing in the commandments that is contrary to our personal well-being. There is nothing in the commandments that will adversely affect us by our being faithful to what is asked. Here is our problem: many times we have a false notion of what is truly good; at times we want what is contrary to our ultimate good because sin has darkened our intellect and disordered our passions and appetites. Our ultimate good is in receiving God’s free gift of salvation. God wants that good for us and assists us with His grace to be able to receive that good. However, we have to want that good as well, and not act in ways contrary to it or in ways that will result only in obstacles to our receiving it.
May the Holy Spirit, the promised Advocate, continue to shine God’s light on our choices so that we may see the good and choose it daily. In choosing the good, we are choosing God and His promise of life with Him forever in heaven.