DOES JESUS TAKE UP RESIDENCE WITHIN US?

DOES JESUS TAKE UP RESIDENCE WITHIN US?

Eileen Renders

This is a question we might want to ask ourselves often: Does Jesus live within us? Is He in us as we are in Him? John 15:9-17 and John 13:34-35. “If you love me, you

will keep my commandments.”

This means that loving Him is shown through obedience to His teachings and living according to His will. “Love one another as I have loved you.”

During the Last Supper, Jesus gave His disciples a “new commandment.” “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples.” This love is unconditional. sacrificial, and humble - like His own love for us, which was shown in washing His

disciples' feet and giving His life for them. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you”

John 15:9 This reveals that His love for us is as deep and personal as the Father’s love for Him. It is a love that

makes us beloved, even when we fail, and calls us to initiate that same self-giving love. Living in His love. Jesus also says:

“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 means that loving Him is both a response to His love and a way to grow closer to Him.

An Interpretation of these verses is;

Obey His Commandments

Love others as He loved you.

Live in communion with Him through prayer, sacraments, and service to Him

Imitate self-giving, humility, and a forgiving love