Sermon Notes, Easter 6 (Year B)

 Jesus speaking with friends – Not a disconnected conversation.

Continuation of the passage we heard last week – vine and branches.
Beautiful imagery:
Always well rooted; Nourishment assured; Never alone;
Growing to the best of our ability.
And: not growing in competition; but collaboration.

It’s feeling well supported here.
And this is where Jesus reiterates the points he’s making.
We are loved: We are loveable; We are abiding, or dwelling, in love.

The way Jesus keeps circling back to this point is NOT because he just rambled on
Each time he repeats his teaching, he’s including subtle nuance and depth.
Which allows the disciples to hear it in ways that make sense to them at that time; whatever time that is
Remember the words as they continue to grow in faith.
Deeper reflection can lead to deeper understanding.
It’s a gift from Jesus, to go back time and again to the message of love.

Especially as the way Jesus speaks of love is not casual, it’s not circumstantial, it’s not transactional:
It’s astonishing, divine, perfect love.
Love that can never be broken. That cannot be refused. That cannot be taken away.
The disciples will need this: as they are about to go into the world that will reject them, as it rejects the message of this complete and all-encompassing love.
Jesus gave them the assurance of love that sustained them in their trials.
It is the same love that we receive; that we struggle to comprehend, and that we are called to extend.

Love that overpowers all the hatred in the world.
Love that is not conditional or fleeting; it is overwhelming and unending.
Love that is not burdensome (John’s letter!): as we put love into action.

For that is what we are called to do: put love in action. Ensure it’s not passive but active:
Growing, nurturing, sustaining.
It’s speaking truth to power; it’s facing challenges with compassion; it’s reminding those who feel unloved and unloveable that they are loved: through actions.
AT times it’s tough love; at times it’s joyous splendour
But always love.
Rooted in us; through us. Shared in the world before we were here, as we live, and after we are gone.
For the love of God is already given: to us, and to everyone we will ever encounter.
Let us put into action what love we know into action; and rejoice as that love continues to grow in us – as we grow in love.