HIS COMMAND, MY OBEDIENCE!

READINGS: SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

On this sixth Sunday of Easter, year A, Jesus says, “He who obeys the commandment he has from me is the man who loves me, and he who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and reveal myself to him.” (John 14:20- 21). A child once asked the mother, "Why do I have to obey and do everything you say? The mother calmly responded: “Because I love you!” “Oh,” the little child exclaimed, “Okay, thanks. I love you too.”

Every day, two voices shape the human heart: the voice of God and the voice of the world. The voice we listen to eventually forms what we love, and what we love eventually directs how we live. Scripture reminds us that God has prepared what the human eye has not seen, the ear has not heard, and the heart cannot fully imagine. But this divine promise is not received by a distracted heart but by a listening and obedient one. Obedience is not God’s way of controlling us; it is God’s way of making room within us for His presence. When we draw near to God, he steps down to draw nearer to us.

One of the greatest struggles in spiritual life is not that God is silent, but that the world is too loud in its promise of quick comfort, easy acceptance, instant pleasure, and borrowed identities. Yet, these often calm the surface while leaving the soul restless beneath. The human heart was made for more than temporary relief; it longs for lasting love, deep joy, and true peace. But these cannot be manufactured by popularity, possessions, pleasure, or applause. They are found when the heart learns to trust the voice of God above the noise of the world.

To obey God’s word, therefore, is to choose depth over distraction, truth over trend, and peace over pressure. The world may satisfy a moment, but only God can satisfy the heart, and for eternity.