Which Kind of Love?
Ever since I first learned that there are three (or four) different words for love in Greek, I usually try to check which one of them is being used in a given passage. Like today's Gospel:

John 14:23 - "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

As you can probably guess, most of the time Jesus uses* what we often describe as that total self-giving love of agape, not brotherly love or erotic love. He's talking about you and me and all who would dare to follow him as having that kind of total attachment, dedication, devotion and discipleship that changes us and those around us.

When we have that kind of love we will "obey his teaching" which has a different ring when you read it- "keep his words." It's more than just doing what he says to do (we don't do that all that well most of the time). It has a more profound meaning. It has to do with holding on to these words. Preserving them in us and in our lives. It means knowing them and making them our guides and watchwords each and every day. Love does not compel obedience out of fear or discipline or disappointment. Love compels doing and living so as to express our love to God, to Jesus, to the world. Such obedience is not drudgery or following the commands of a superior. It is the natural and reflexive response to having that kind of love growing within and surrounding us.

But I am struck by one more thought. God will return the same kind of love. Yes, God will have agape for us. God will give totally of God's whole self for us.

Oh- that's what he has already done!

(*Note: I know that Jesus didn't speak these words in Greek and what we have is a translation of what he said. But think of the fact that John and the others had to reflect on what it was they knew and were given the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the experience of the early church to put these words together. Wow!)