Generators from below
(Jn 14:21-26)
The Father's love unites us to Christ through a call that manifests itself wave by wave. And on that path the Son reveals himself.
«My commandments» [v.21: subjective genitive] is a theological expression designating the very Person of the Risen One in act.
A 'Person' unfolded in the history of mankind thanks to his mystical Body: the variegated People of God, whose versatility is an added value - not a limitation or contamination of purity.
Of course, Love is the only reality that cannot be "commanded".
But Jesus designates and advocates it as such to emphasise the departure from the Sinai Covenant, which it summarises but replaces.
The plural form «commandments» recognises the range of the various forms of exchange and personalisation of love.
No orientation, no doctrine, no code, can ever overcome it, or conversely make it swampy.
The Apostles, conditioned by the conventional religious mentality - all catwalks - question themselves about the attitude of Jesus, who is modest and not very inclined to show off (v.22).
They do not accept a Messiah who does not impose himself on everyone's attention, who does not astonish the world, who does not shout frenzied proclamations.
The Master prefers that in his Word we recognize an active correspondence with the desire for the integral life we carry within (vv.23-24).
Indeed, in said Appeal lurks a sympathy, an understanding, an arrow, an efficient and creative vigour, which becomes Fire and personal Presence solidity.
Starting from the inside, fleeble and ringing at the same time.
In ancient forensic culture, it was named «Paraclete» (v.26) an eminent person in the assembly - today we would say a lawyer - who without saying anything placed himself next, so justifying the accused.
This attribute of the Spirit alludes to an intensity, intimate grounding and reciprocity of silent relationship that becomes a Person, and knows where to go.
A Companion who approves; who leads the heart, the character, life itself, not to the pillory, but to the full flowering of ourselves.
Experience that takes place without earthquakes, thunders and lightnings - partial - but through the action of the Spirit that internalizes, accompanies, nourishes, updates and brings alive the interpretation of the Word (v.26).
The Message of the Gospels has a generative root that cannot be reduced to a one-sided and cumbersome experience, all codified and moralistic but empty as in sectarian situations [always struggling with themselves and the world].
Venturing into one's own Exodus, each one discovers hidden resources and an amplification of perspectives that dilate and complete one's being, broadening the experience of the vocational character that corresponds to her/him.
Between life on the road and the Word of God - a golden rule that gives self-confidence - an unpredictable, versatile, eclectic, non-one-way understanding is kindled, which transcends identity concatenations.
In its scope, the Recall remains identical, but over time expands awareness of its facets - precisely, integrating them.
Creator and creature [expressiveness rich and not already ratified ones] do not authentically externize themselves in a fixed, sanctioned manner, and with reference to a doctrine-discipline code, but in the surplus freedom of life.
A plausible reality in the Faith’s adventure, but one that would drive any outward religion crazy.
[Monday 5th wk. in Easter, May 19, 2025]
