Jn 14:15-21
If you have ever been in love with someone, you will know how easy it is to do what the other person desires, wants, or dreams of. It is absolutely no burden to adjust, walk together, and be there in trouble. But it is our common experience that emotional upheaval fades quickly over time. It could be even disappointing.
When Jesus says who loves me will keep my commandments, he presupposes a similar situation. Being in love with him. Being in love because of what he has done for me. Not in general, but in a very personal way. The Paschal season was the time of Mystagogy in the ancient Church. The time when the newly baptized and already Christians were introduced into the mystery of Lord’s presence. They learned the signs of his presence. One of them is the personal experience of Passover, that is being forgiven. The experience of the confession is the experience of Passover.
Living this experience, the new start, the release of burden of sins, the ease, and joyful heart, it is very easy to follow him. Do what he wants us to do. When the emotions are gone, and a greyish atmosphere takes over, then it becomes more challenging. However, Jesus is very empathetic. He says if you agape (love) me, you will keep my commandments (Jn 14:15). Agape means “doing the best for the other” no matter of feelings. It is based on a decision. It is a choice. Nevertheless, when practicing this choice becomes tasteless or even hard, the Lord does not forget us. If you agape me and keep my commandments, I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:16-17).
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In other words, the Lord provides, especially during those greyish moments. The Paraklete (translated as advocate, v. 16) means rather comforter, including the meaning to speak for, advocate, exhort and help. When our strength, zeal, emotions fail, the Lord is there for us. First of all, comforting us, then helping and supporting us. St. Paul reminds us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness (cf. Rom 8:26). The Lord has not forgotten us. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
If you remain constant, no matter how you feel; how boring it could be; or just overwhelmed and dried, the Holy Spirit will always be with you comforting you. The Easter season is indeed such a mystagogical exercise. Recollecting our own experiences with the Lord. Remembering what he has been doing for us. Gratitude. Switching the focus from feelings to our relationship with the Lord in real time. Sharing with him the state of our heart. The end of the gospel is very powerful. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. This promise means only one thing. The Lord will be active in your life.
Bishop Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428) commenting on this passage says, the Lord speaks of another Advocate, as of another instructor, a comforter. This is a teaching for those in dire straits because the Spirit […] will make the afflictions inflicted on them by people lighter. And, as a consolation […] he will enable them to easily endure their afflictions. This is what actually happened. Indeed, the more his disciples feared death before, the more they rejoiced in tribulations after the descent of the Spirit. (Commentary on John, 6.14.15-17)
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In the Byzantine liturgical life, the opening prayer of every celebration is always Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things! Treasury of blessings and Giver of life! Come and dwell within us! Cleanse us of all stain and save our souls, oh Gracious one! I invite you to repeat this prayer so your mind and heart will be always tuned in correctly.