The gospel that I have just read. Jesus connects love, obedience, and joy. Jesus says he Himself found joy and fulfilling the will of His Father even in the face of adversity. That adversity was nothing less than laying down his life for his friends. By his sacrifice on the cross, this is how he can say there is no greater love than this to lay down one's life for his friends. Jesus says, you will live in my love if you keep my commandments. Even as I kept my father's commands and I live in his love, when motivated, obedience by love becomes a source of joy. Jesus said, it was not you who chose me. It was I who chose you. Though you live in this world. You must not be of this world.
I chose you to go forth and bear fruit. Your fruit must endure. It takes courage to follow Jesus. Christian discipleship is demanding. Saint Augustine and Saint Paul both taught. We are not citizens of this world. We are on a journey. Were pilgrims going through the world until we get to our promised land, which is heaven? Christians seek to experience the things that are above, not what is here on earth. To choose the city of man means to choose oneself over God and neighbor. To choose the city of God. Beings who love God and total trust and obedience. The question is, can the values of our culture be reconciled with the truth of Christ? It is in this church on this very altar, that the kingdom of God and the city of man meet.
It is here that we receive Jesus in the Eucharist. It is here we have learned, as Jesus asks, to learn how to love one another.
Homily begins at 20:21