I AM in You, As You are in ME

I AM In You, As You are in ME

Eileen Renders

These words from God, “I AM in you as you are in Me,” are really thought-provoking. What is the deeper meaning of understanding how this might be? As a child, I believed God was in me only right after receiving the Eucharist. As I matured, I realized that if anyone who receives the Eucharist and is in sin, God cannot be with them.

In John 14:20, Jesus said, “I AM in you as you are in Me”, emphasizes the unity between Him and believers. As I matured in my faith and understanding, I came to understand that God spoke these words of inspiration to all who would listen, so that His believers would know that He would always be with them and remain in them as long as they remained without sin.

In Corinthians 1:11:27, this verse reads that “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy (of Him) will be guilty of profaning and sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.” This is a serious offense because it involves approaching Christ with a soul that rejects Him.

Therefore, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or God is not in us, and we are not in Him, when we continue to commit mortal sin.

However, when we frequently receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, receive Holy Communion, and attend Mass, while remaining free from sin. God is in us, and we are in Him. This is a time when, through prayer and sincere love of God, and in serving Him, we will receive His graces and blessings. His graces are many, and most likely different for each of us, depending upon how He wants to direct our steps in serving others for His sake through acts of kindness, and grow spiritually. 

What might we as children receive from God when we obey the Commandments, serve God, and grow in love for Him sincerely? The door is open, Jesus may speak silently within our hearts, teach us, and continue to guide us in serving Him. It is only in remaining in grace, loving Him sincerely, and providing time in

each of our days to pray to Him.

We cannot know how Jesus blesses us when He resides within us until we are on a mission to become what He desires us to be. But we do know that His graces include wisdom, humility, empathy, forgiveness, love, and mercy. Not to mention the joy, peace, and health that many receive, God often gives those who serve Him a long life because their work on earth is important and helps to bring back Jesus’s lost sheep through inspiration, energy, and a true sense of value.