Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Rev. 21:10-14, 22-23; Jn. 14:23-29
There is a touching story about a little girl in Sunday school who was deeply focused on drawing. Her teacher asked, “What are you drawing?” She said, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher, amused, said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” The child confidently replied, “They will in a minute.” Sometimes, children get it right better than adults. When we allow God to dwell in us, we become His image
to others. People begin to see God—not in our perfection—but in our love, peace, mercy, and truthfulness.Jesus links love with obedience in today’s passage. “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” In today’s culture, love is often portrayed as emotion, passion, or attraction. But Jesus speaks of love as faithful action, a deep and ongoing “yes” to His presence in our lives. Just like in human relationships, love is proved not only in feelings but in faithfulness. A husband or wife who says “I love you” but is never present, never supportive, or betrays trust—does that love hold any weight? In the same way, Jesus says that true love for Him is shown by our willingness to live by His words.
We find this truth reflected in the life of Abraham. When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, Abraham didn’t hesitate or question. He obeyed because he loved and trusted God completely. Though the request seemed unbearable, Abraham believed that God would provide. His obedience, rooted in love, led to God’s covenant of blessing, not just for him, but for generations to come. In Genesis 22, we read that after Abraham passed the test, God said, “By your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” Abraham kept God’s word—and God made His home with him.
This idea of God dwelling with His people runs throughout Scripture. In Exodus 25:8, God tells Moses, “Let them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them.” The people built the tabernacle with great care, and the Ark of the Covenant became the visible sign of God's presence. But in the New Covenant, Jesus brings that presence even closer—not in a tent or a temple, but in the hearts of those who love Him. Our hearts become the sanctuary. We are the new tabernacle.
We see this lived powerfully in the lives of saints. Take the example of St. Clare of Assisi, a woman of immense love and devotion to Jesus. She gave up wealth and status to live a life of simplicity, prayer, and obedience. When her convent was once attacked by Saracen soldiers, St. Clare held up the Blessed Sacrament and prayed. Her trust in Jesus was so complete that the invaders fled without causing harm. God was truly at home with her. Her love, shown in her obedience, brought divine protection and peace.
Yet Jesus doesn’t stop with the promise of indwelling. He adds a sobering truth: “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” Here, we’re reminded that we can choose to shut the door on God. Our choices, our stubbornness, our pride—they can keep God out. When we neglect prayer, live dishonestly, nurse grudges, or indulge in selfishness, we build walls where God wants to build a home. This isn’t about divine punishment—it’s about spiritual consequence. If love opens the door, disobedience slams it shut.
The tragic story of King Saul in the Old Testament shows this vividly. Saul started out well, chosen by God and anointed as king. But his growing pride led him to disobey God's direct commands. When he failed to destroy Amalek as instructed, he justified his disobedience, and the prophet Samuel told him, “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” Later, Scripture tells us the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul. How heartbreaking! He pushed God out of his life, and his life descended into chaos and despair. He is a cautionary tale for anyone tempted to ignore the words of the Lord.
But this message is not just for saints and kings. Ordinary people—mothers, workers, teachers, farmers—can and do open their hearts to Jesus daily. Their love may never make headlines, but their obedience works quiet wonders. Take the example of Gladys Staines, the Australian missionary who lost her husband and two young sons to brutal violence in India. Instead of responding with hate, she forgave the killers and continued serving leprosy patients with deep compassion. That’s not weakness; that’s the strength of someone whose heart has become God’s dwelling place. Her love for Jesus was not just spoken—it was lived.
Another example is a janitor who worked in a Christian school. Everyone noticed his peace and joy, even in such humble work. A teacher once asked him what his secret was. He replied, “Every morning before I start cleaning, I ask Jesus to mop the hearts of the children before I mop the floors.” That’s theology in overalls. His life was a silent sermon. When God lives within us, even the smallest acts are filled with light and love.
Of course, the Christian life is not always easy. Obeying the word of Jesus means choosing forgiveness when we want to stay angry, choosing humility when pride knocks, choosing truth when lies are easier. A man once prayed, “Lord, so far today I haven’t been angry, selfish, or greedy. But in a minute, I’m going to get out of bed, and I’ll need all the help I can get!” It’s true—we need divine help every day to love and obey. But the good news is: God Himself is willing to live in us and help us from the inside out.
So how do we respond to this invitation? First, we need to regularly read and reflect on His word. We can’t keep what we don’t know. Second, we need to act on what we learn, even in small steps. Love, honesty, compassion, patience—these are how we make space for God. Third, we need to cultivate prayer and silence, letting God speak to our hearts. A noisy heart leaves little room for the Spirit. And lastly, we need to forgive—ourselves and others. Forgiveness sweeps the house clean so God can enter freely.
In a world of broken homes, divided communities, and lonely hearts, God’s promise is breathtaking: “We will come to him and make our home with him.” Let us not delay in saying yes. Let us not treat Jesus like a Sunday visitor who we hide the mess from. Let’s give Him the keys. Let Him enter the cluttered rooms of our lives, the untidy corners of our hearts. He will not be shocked. He comes not to condemn, but to dwell, to transform, and to fill us with His love.
Satish