Remain in My Love

Remain in My Love Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church January 24, 2023

On this memorial of Saint Francis de Sales as we read the Gospel of John (Jn 15:9-17) it is easy to gravitate our thoughts to verse/sentence that reads “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse has become an iconic phrase and is used a lot in memes and posts, not just regarding Jesus, but also with regards to those who put their lives in harms way in service to country and community. However, let us not forget or overlook one other sentence in this passage, which is “Remain in my love.”

Jesus is obedient to his Father and by remaining in his love is willing to offer up his own life as a sacrifice that we might be reconciled to the Father, and though this sacrifice is freely offered up to us, it is not forced upon us. We must choose not only to accept this love, but also chose to remain in it. And just how do we do that? By keeping his commandments, which are: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.

To love in this way is to die to ourselves, die to our selfish way, to become selfless. To lay down our earthly way of living so as to live completely for God and neighbor. To have greater love so as to lay down our lives as Christ did.