Sermon – Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 10, 2026

In today's chapter of John, Jesus teaches us the true meaning of love. For "love" is one of the most frequently used but also one of the most misunderstood words in the world today.

In today's world, love is often presented as merely an emotion, a thrill, a self-interest, or a fleeting infatuation. People often love only as long as it suits them, as long as they receive something in return. Love has come to be understood not as self-sacrifice, but simply as a way to "make myself feel good."

But the love Jesus describes is different. Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Here Jesus shows us that true love is not just words; it is faithfulness, obedience, and a way of life. To love Jesus is not simply to say, “I love you, Lord.” It means to live by His teachings. This is what it truly means to be a Christian and to follow Christ. We must listen and act.

Jesus demonstrated his love on the cross. His love is not merely composed of beautiful words; it is sacrifice, surrender, and unwavering loyalty. Of course, emotions exist. We cannot deny that we have emotions. We are human. Emotions can help us. The problem arises when we attribute the entire meaning of love to emotions.

And then Jesus makes a great promise: the Holy Spirit will be given to whoever loves Him and keeps His word. For the Holy Spirit does not dwell in a heart closed to God's will. Therefore, Jesus does not separate love from obedience.

So, what does it mean to "fulfill the Ten Commandments given by God"? It's not simply about memorizing rules or living a religious life out of fear. It means keeping God's word in your heart and applying it in your daily life. In other words, it means bringing Jesus' teachings into our lives. The most important and greatest commandment is to love God above all else and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Fulfilling the commandments means forgiving those who hurt us, choosing truth over falsehood, staying away from injustice, and living with a pure heart. Living with a pure heart means possessing a pure heart that desires complete devotion to God. It also includes respecting family, helping the poor, continuing to pray even when we don't feel like it, remaining steadfast in faith during times of hardship, and showing genuine love to others. We must maintain our connection with God every day, because fulfilling the commandments means choosing God every day.

How can we do this in daily life? If, when someone treats us badly, we don't respond with hatred but remain patient, we are fulfilling God's command. If we fight against sin even when no one is watching, we are fulfilling the commandments. When we help someone without expecting anything in return, we are experiencing the love of Christ.

But doing this alone is not easy. To fulfill God's will and to follow Jesus in a fruitful way, we need God's grace. That is why Jesus promises the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us strength, guidance, and supports us in doing things that seem difficult. Without the Holy Spirit, the commandments are burdensome. With the Holy Spirit, the commandments become a way of life.

The world says, "Do whatever you want." Jesus says, "Choose the path that leads to eternal life." The world says, "Love is just feeling." Jesus says, "Love is being faithful."

And at the end of the Gospel, Jesus comforts us: “I will not leave you orphans.” The Lord never forsakens us. He continues to walk with us through the Holy Spirit. Even if we fall, even if we are weak, God will not abandon us.

Let us ask ourselves this question today: Do we truly love Jesus? And does our life show it? Let us ask the Lord to love Him not only with words, but also with our lives. May the Holy Spirit change our hearts so that we can live by God's commandments out of love, not fear.

May the Virgin Mary intercede for us so that we can always do what Jesus asked of us.