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To help us understand the Holy Spirit, the reading begins by emphasizing God’s love for us—a recurring and familiar theme in John’s Gospel.

Love inherently involves vulnerability. The more deeply we love, the more at risk we are to being hurt. This vulnerability makes trust essential in any relationship. Trust can be given or earned, and violations of trust can sometimes be irreparable. Conversely, trust built through consistent caring and faithfulness strengthens relationships, though some may find it harder to build trust due to past wounds.

The Gospel speaks of a profound intimacy between God and those who love Him. Jesus often seeks out those who do not yet know Him, but today’s focus is on His longing to be with His people.

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Jesus makes some incredible claims, and provides signs of God’s presence amongst his followers, driving out demons, speaking new languages, picking up serpents, drinking poison and miraculous healings, only to name a few. This passage reminds me of the dramatic style of teaching Jesus used to introject passion into his teachings. Remember the scripture passage that speaks of "the dead burying the dead" found in Luke 9:60. Do you remember the scripture passage that speaks of cutting off your hand if it causes you to sin that is found in Matthew 5:29-30 and Mark 9:43-48? Quite dramatic!

What did Jesus mean?

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Love is a central and recurring theme in John’s Gospel, and it has been a focus in previous episodes. Love lies at the core of Christian faith. However, I invite you to reflect on whether your image of God is one that is easy to love. Many identify as Christians out of a desire for salvation yet seeking salvation and loving God are not synonymous.

Concerns about salvation often reflect one’s understanding of God. The traditional concept of God demanding the death of His Son as a sacrificial atonement can be difficult to reconcile with the idea of a loving God. While this notion may have resonated in earlier times, many today struggle to accept that redemption is a freely given gift rather than something earned. Genuine love cannot be compelled; it must come from the heart. God desires our love, not merely our outward actions. This may explain why Jesus was able to forgive so readily-He perceived the true condition of the person’s heart.