“Remain in Me”

During this late Easter Season we hear in the readings “Remain in Me.”  The Risen Lord has appeared several times. Word is out that Jesus is truly alive. The time is ripe to tell the whole world. Mission trips have begun. “Let’s go!” So boats set sail, converts are brought to Christ in distant cities, concerns in the early Church are being solved. And in the midst of such fruitful activity, the disciples hear “Remain in Me.”

How did the disciples remain in Christ? Perhaps they set aside certain times to pray as Jesus had taught when he went aside to pray. Events necessitated prior prayer such as calling forth Mathias to take the place of Judas Iscariot. Prayers to the Holy Spirit directed the Council of Jerusalem. Was there anything else to let the disciples remain in Christ? Yes, Christ Himself. Their Friend and Master Jesus was always there—whether they were petitioning Him, converting Gentiles, eating, sleeping. That’s the same for us. We always “remain in Him.” No matter how aware or how distracted. We live in the blessed assurance that as children in the Womb of God we are cared for and loved unconditionally.