If you love me, you will keep my commandments because I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate who will be with you always. The Gospel Reading for this Sixth Sunday of Easter is a portion of what has been branded as the farewell discourse. The farewell discourse is a series of speeches addressed to the disciples by Jesus during their last meal together before he underwent his passion and death (cf. John 13:1-17:26). Coming across as words of comfort and encouragement, Jesus used the discourse to prepare the disciples not only for the impending events that he knew would overwhelm them (Jesus’ passion and death), but also to make them ready for their mission that would be carried out in light of those events. Although the farewell discourse was given by Jesus in the context of his impending passion, we are invited to reflect upon it on this Sunday in light of next Sunday’s Solemnity of the Ascension. 
The event of the Ascension which took place sometime after the resurrection brought to a full circle the salvific mission of Jesus. Just like Jesus’ passion and death, the Ascension meant that Jesus was once again going to be physically separated from his disciples. And even though this “second” departure of Jesus was not going to be like the “first” one which had been violent and forceful, it was still going to fall hard on the disciples. Jesus’ resurrection and subsequent appearances had managed to help the frightened disciples put behind them the difficult days that had followed Jesus’ violent execution. It is even possible that the disciples had started to think that the rough days were finally over, that with Jesus overcoming the powers of death, everything was back to normal. Indeed, Jesus’ resurrection was a new dawn for the disciples since it opened their eyes to possibilities that they had not thought existed. As the story of their progress in the Acts of the Apostles makes it clear, the disciples would go on to proclaim the kingdom with courage and zeal that they had not exhibited when they were with Jesus. But before that could happen, they had to overcome the last hurdle that would be thrown their way by Jesus’ removal from their midst. They had to come to terms with, and embrace their call in the absence of Jesus. The disciples had to be ready to embrace and own the mission with which Jesus was soon entrusting them.
And although Jesus’ departure would be devastating to the disciples, it was requisite for the continuation of the Jesus ministry (‘it is for your good that I go away’ [cf. John 16:7]). Jesus did not want his followers to see his departure as the beginning of the end of the movement they had founded. He was going to gift them with the Holy Spirit who would strengthen and encourage them. As such, his departure was to be understood as the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the disciples and the movement. For with the help of the Holy Spirit, the disciples would be able to take charge of the movement even as they proclaim the Good News about the forgiveness of sins (cf. Mark 16:15). But the Holy Spirit was also given them so that they would be able to retain their identity as followers of Jesus by keeping the commandments (cf. John 13:34-35). 
The commandments are central to discipleship for it is the commandments that make a disciple. Jesus had summarized the commandments in one word:  love (of God and neighbor). The entire corpus of the commandments has love as both its object and subject. In other words, discipleship is all about the ability to love. Whereas a disciple is required to love in season and out of season, Jesus’ reminder to his followers to observe this great commandment took on a special relevance in light of his imminent departure. Jesus was to continue being present to his disciples in the commandments. Jesus dwells in his commandments. This is why he reminded them that whoever keeps and observes the commandments is indwelt by both him and the Father. The keeping and observance of the commandments is the only way a disciple continues to remain ONE with Jesus. But that is not all. Whoever remains ONE with Jesus unites the self with both the Father and the Holy Spirit, the condition necessary for faithful and successful discipleship.  
Jesus was able to successfully accomplish his mission because he remained united with the Father and the Holy Spirit. It is this ‘family secret’ that Jesus is offering to share with his disciples. Aware of the challenges that will come with opting to continue following him, Jesus wants to ensure that his disciples would have the help and support needed to stay afloat. By keeping and observing the commandments, Jesus’ disciples are guaranteed the help of both the Father and the Holy Spirit. To love is a demonstration that God has made a dwelling in an individual, for no one can love who is apart from God (God is love). Love is God’s mark in his creatures. We mirror God in our ability to love. Whenever we give ourselves in love, we join God in giving life to the world.