“In the Gospel, Jesus says: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Jesus did not say, “If you are afraid of me…” “If you are forced…” “If your mother keeps reminding you…”

He said: “If you love me.” Because Christianity is not first about rules. It is first about a relationship.

Many people think being Christian is mainly about regulations: Don’t do this. Don’t do that. Attend Mass. Pray. Confess. Fast.

Sometimes we treat faith like the rules posted inside a jeepney: “No smoking.” “No littering.” “No talking to driver.”

Important, yes. But Christianity is more than regulations. Jesus wants followers who love Him, not merely people who comply externally.

You know, there is a big difference between doing something out of love and doing something because you are forced.

For example: When someone is in love, even lack of sleep becomes sweet. A young man can spend three hours chatting on the phone at midnight and still wake up smiling at 5 AM. But ask him to attend a one-hour recollection, and suddenly he says: “Father, it’s so boring…” Why? Because love changes sacrifice.

A mother wakes up early for her child not because of written rules posted on the refrigerator. Love makes her do it willingly.

In the same way, when we truly love Jesus, prayer stops becoming merely obligation. Mass stops becoming merely attendance. Goodness stops becoming mere compliance.

You no longer say: “I have to pray.” Instead: “I want to speak to the Lord.”

You no longer say: “I must go to Mass.” Instead: “I want to be with Jesus.”

That is why many people slowly lose faith. Not because they hate God, but because their relationship with Him became cold.

Some people know many prayers but hardly talk to God sincerely. Some attend Mass physically but mentally are already in the parking lot before Communion.

Sometimes during Mass, the body is here, but the mind is already thinking: “Where shall we eat after here?”

That is why Jesus reminds us today: Faith is not merely following rules. Faith is remaining in a loving relationship with Him.

And the beautiful thing is this: Jesus does not leave us alone. He says, “I will not leave you orphans.”

Meaning: “I will help you. I will stay with you. I will guide you.”

The Christian life is not about pretending to be perfect. It is about staying close to Jesus even in our weakness. Because in the end, Christianity is not first about rules. It is about loving a Person who first loved us.”