Homily for the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena

Love is central to today's gospel passage; it speaks of our love for Jesus, His love for us, and the Father's love for us. God the Father shows His love by giving us His Son. Jesus shows His love for us by laying down His life for us and telling us all He has learned from the Father. We show our love for Jesus by keeping His word and living according to His teaching, which is summed up as, "Love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus promises to send us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's role is to keep bringing Jesus' outlook and perspective to our minds. The Holy Spirit helps us keep Jesus' word and love one another as He has loved us. That gospel passage gives a whole vision of the Christian life: God's relationship with us as Father, Son, and Spirit and our loving relationship with God and each other.