In today’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I love you.” Then he punctuates the statement with an imperative: “Remain in my love.” I’ve always been partial to that word remain so this morning I looked up the definition. There were three choices, the first of which seemed most apt for this situation. The reading from John (15:7) is part of the farewell discourse, the last teaching of Jesus to the disciples before the supper after which he is arrested. So his departure is at hand; they will no longer have him physically with them. The dictionary says that to remain means “to continue to exist after similar or related things have ceased to exist; to abide.” As I ponder the words of Jesus I get the feeling of a vast ocean in which we can float, diving occasionally into the depths where all is silent and serene. The vast and deep love in which we encounter the Spirit of Jesus can sustain us if we learn to stay in the place that [we] have been occupying (the second dictionary definition of remain). It is only through attention and spiritual practice that we are able to achieve this presence, but the effect is worth the effort, I believe.

All of that reminds me of a lively chant whose lyrics call to that presence: Remain in the company of God this day; remain in the company of God. Remain, remain. Remain, remain, remain…