Remaining in His Love

 

 
Dear Diary,

Today is Thursday, May 7.

Robert picked the three of us up as usual and right on time, and we went to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass. Mini came too and sat so quietly, with her bright eyes watching everything, as if she knew Our Lord had something sweet to tell us today.

Father LeRoy read the holy Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus says, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” Father said that Jesus was not speaking in a faraway way, but like someone opening His Sacred Heart and asking us to stay there. He said that to remain in Jesus’ love means not running off after our own will, but keeping His commandments because we love Him.

Father LeRoy explained that the commandments of Jesus are not cold rules. They are given by love, to keep us near the One who loves us most. Sister Mary Claire said later that maybe every soul needs a little fence around its heart—not a hard, cold fence, but a loving one. The commandments of Jesus help guard His love in us, just as the little fence around the old Council Oak guards something precious and remembered.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that Jesus’ joy is complete because He is always in the Father’s love. She said Our Lord wants us to share in that same love, like children brought right into the warmth of a happy home. Robert said it made him think of how a fire stays bright if the wood remains close together, but dies down when a stick rolls away by itself.

After chores, I went to look at my little oak tree again. I can hardly believe it sprouted from an acorn I picked up last fall near the Council Oak monument in Sioux City. Sister Mary Claire and I have named it Sioux City Sue, which makes me smile every time I say it. It is still so small and tender that we both think a little chicken wire fence around it would suit it well, almost like a tiny country version of the fence around the great old Council Oak.

Mini sniffed around Sioux City Sue very carefully, and I told her she must not step on it, because maybe someday it will be a strong oak with birds in it. It made me think of the Gospel. A little tree must remain in good soil and be guarded while it grows, and I must remain in Jesus’ love and let Him guard my heart. If I stay close to Him, maybe something small in me can grow strong too.

Tonight I feel thankful for Our Lord’s words. He does not only command us. He loves us first, and then teaches us how to remain with Him.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please help me remain in Your love.
Put a little fence of grace around my heart,
so I may keep out the things that hurt Your love in me.
Help me obey You with joy.
Bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, and dear Mini.
And please bless little Sioux City Sue,
that she may grow strong,
just as I hope my soul will grow strong in You.

Amen.

 

_____________

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples: “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 might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

The Gospel of the Lord.