John 14: 23-29

St Francis of Assisi was an ardent advocate of the doctrine of the indwelling of God in man. It enabled him to love every one equally whatever his status in life.

One day he met a fellow who had no love for God. As they walked along they met a man who was blind and paralysed. St Francis asked the sightless cripple: ‘Tell me if I were to restore your eyesight and the use of your limbs, would you love me?' ‘Ah,' replied the beggar, ‘I would not only love you but I would be your slave for the rest of my life.' ‘See,' said Francis to the man who maintained that he could not love God, ‘this man would love me if I gave him his sight and his health. Why don't you love God Who created you with eyesight and strong limbs?' That is what

Jesus tells us in today's Gospel. If we love him because of the countless blessings he has given us by ‘keeping his words' he will start dwelling within us in the company of his Father and the Holy Spirit, making us the temples of the Triune God.