Abide in Me and I in You

By Fr. Christopher Foeckler, MJ • St. Josaphat Formation Center, Phoenix, AZ

During the Eucharistic Vigil after the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday we often hear the wonderful words of the Lord recorded by St. John in the last discourse of the Lord. They seem to gain special meaning if we consider them in the light of the Holy Eucharist which the Lord instituted at the supper.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.” (John 15:5-17)

The Holy Eucharist we celebrate solemnly this month on the Feast of Corpus Christi is the efficacious sign of the great love our Lord has for all His disciples. It is the unique, sublime and most complete way Jesus comes to abide with us in this world increasing His habitual indwelling with us by Sanctifying Grace. Holy Communion is also the best way we can abide with Him in this world. As John rested his head on Jesus’ breast during the supper, we can rest in Him at Holy Communion. How important it is to take a few moments after Communion to rest with the Lord, to hear His call to us again, to let His joy make ours complete, and to receive the power to bear fruit by asking the Father for whatever we want.