On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel speaks to us of love for Jesus linked to the observance of the commandments, and of Christ’s Envoy: the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth.

Jesus reminds us that those who love Him will be loved by the Father and deeply indwelt by the divine Spirit.

Francis, in his Letter to the Faithful, expresses it thus:

«Those who do not wish to taste how sweet the Lord is and prefer darkness to light, refusing to observe God’s commandments, are cursed» (FF 186).

The life of the Poor Man of Assisi, illuminated by Christ, was light within the Light:

“This was the way in which he infallibly foresaw both the fall of many who seemed to be standing upright, and the conversion to Christ of many sinners.

Therefore, it seemed that he was now gazing intently upon the mirror of eternal light, in whose marvellous splendour the eye of his spirit could see things physically distant as if they were present” (FF 1198).

The new man, made such by Grace, embodied the Truth, reflected in his very works.

“In this way many began to recognise the truth of the doctrine which the man of God preached with simplicity, and of his life. Some began to feel called to penance by his example and to join him, in habit and in life, leaving everything behind. The first of these was the «venerable Bernard», who, having been made a partaker of the divine vocation, merited to be the firstborn of the blessed Father, first in time and in holiness” (FF 1053).

Following in the footsteps of the Lord, the life of the Poverello became a light for the dark times in which he lived.

“His intellect, freed from the dense fog of earthly things […] soared lightly to the heavenly heights and immersed itself purely in the light.

Thus radiant with the splendour of eternal light, he drew from the uncreated Word that which echoed in words.

Oh, how different we are today, we who, shrouded in darkness, are ignorant even of the necessities of life!” (FF 640).

Francis, transformed by the Light, had fallen in love with it: his works bore witness to this.

The flashes of the Word came to shape him according to its specific nature: to communicate to others the Truth nailed to the cross, so that the world might be redeemed and realise the Gift it had received.

“With the most resplendent rays of his life and teaching, he drew towards the light those who lay in the shadow of death, like the rainbow that shines amidst the luminous clouds; bearing within himself the sign of the covenant with the Lord, he proclaimed to mankind the Gospel of Peace and salvation” (FF 1021).

«Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and reveal myself to them» (Jn 14:21b)

6th Sunday in Easter A  (Jn 14:15–21)