Thursday 22 May 2025 - Abide in my love

Thursday 22 May 2025

Today is Thursday the 22nd of May, in the 5th week of Eastertide.    Juliano Ravanello sings ‘Ubi Caritas’: Wherever love is true, God is there.    Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est  Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor  Exsultemus et in ipso iucundemur  Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum  Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero  Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est  Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur  Ne nos mente dividamur caveamus  Cessent jurgia maligna cessent lites  Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus  Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est  Simul quoque cum beatis videamus  Glorianter vultum tuum Christe Deus  Gaudium quod est immensum atque probum  Saecula per infinita saeculorum  Amen      Where charity and love are, God is there.  Love of Christ has gathered us into one.  Let us rejoice in Him and be glad.  Let us fear, and let us love the living God.  And from a sincere heart let us love one.  Where charity and love are, God is there.  At the same time, therefore, are gathered into one:  Lest we be divided in mind, let us beware.  Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease.  And in the midst of us be Christ our God.  Where charity and love are, God is there.  At the same time we see that with the saints also,  Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:  The joy that is immense and good, Unto the  World without end. Amen.  Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.   John 15:9-11  As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.  We are invited to place ourselves in the scene, sharing in this moment of great intimacy.  Imagine Jesus speaking these words directly to you. Hear his voice as he invites you to remain in his love. What does that feel like?     "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you."  We are taught that everything begins with God's love. As Jesus receives love from the Father, He extends that love to us. This isn’t an abstract idea of love but an intimate, personal love.   Can you sense the depth of Christ’s love for you?     "Remain in my love."  Jesus calls us to notice that this is not a fleeting experience, but we are to remain in his love.   Reflect on where God's love is already present in your life.    "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love."  Jesus calls us into a relationship of love and trust. To love means to act – to act with love.   Consider where you are growing in love for God and others?    "That my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete."  True joy comes from union with God.   How are you embracing the joy that comes from living in God’s love?    As you come to the end of this prayer time, ask God for the grace to remain in God’s love today.   Spend a few moments in silence, simply resting in that love.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.   As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be  World without end  Amen