Last Sunday, during the Regina Caeli prayer, Pope Leo XIV offered a profound reflection on the true meaning of Jesus' commandments. Too often, we fall into the temptation of thinking we need to be perfect to deserve God's love. Yet the Holy Father reminded us that it is quite the opposite: it is Christ's unconditional love that empowers us to live according to his will.
The passage from John's Gospel, read in the day's liturgy, brings us Jesus' words at the Last Supper: “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15, NIV). The Pope explained that this verse frees us from a distorted view of faith, as if obedience were a prerequisite for receiving divine love. In truth, God's love is the foundation upon which we build our life of obedience.
“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NIV).
This truth lies at the heart of the Christian message. We are not loved because we are good; we are good because we have been loved. Jesus' love, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, transforms us and moves us to love our neighbor.
What Does It Mean to Keep the Commandments?
Keeping the commandments is not a checklist of rules to please God. It is, above all, a love relationship. When we love someone, we naturally want to do what pleases them. Likewise, when we recognize God's immense love for us, our hearts open to live according to his Word.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that Jesus' commandments are not a heavy burden, but a path to freedom and abundant life. They protect us from selfishness and lead us to true love. As it is written in John's Gospel: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love” (John 15:10, NIV).
This abiding in Christ's love is what gives us strength to face life's difficulties. The Holy Father assured us that the Lord never abandons us in trials. On the contrary, it is precisely in moments of pain that we experience his care and presence most intensely.
Jesus' Love Transforms Us
When we contemplate the cross of Christ, we see how far God's love goes for us. Jesus gave his life to save us, even while we were still sinners. This free and unconditional love moves us to love others in the same way.
Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to reflect on how we have responded to that love. Are our daily actions motivated by love for God and neighbor? Or are we just going through religious motions without heart? True faith is expressed in concrete acts of charity, forgiveness, and service.
Practically, keeping the commandments means living each day the new commandment of Jesus: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34, NIV). This love is not a vague feeling but a decision to seek the good of others, even when it is hard.
An Application for Our Lives
May we, this week, take time to meditate on God's love in our lives. How have we responded to that love? Is there someone we need to forgive or reach out to? Jesus' love empowers us to take concrete steps of reconciliation and solidarity.
The Pope reminds us that prayer and the sacraments are powerful means to stay connected to Christ, the true vine. Apart from him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But united to him, we can bear fruit—love that lasts for eternal life.
May the Holy Spirit renew in us the certainty that we are loved by God, and may that love overflow in acts of kindness to everyone we meet.
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