Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 5, 2024
esus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
“And your joy might be complete.” Who is not looking for complete joy? I know I want it, but do I understand what I am looking for—what is joy exactly?
Fr. Mike Schmitz popularized the following definition: the abiding and pervasive sense of well-being. Over time, I have come to see the wisdom that joy, this pervasive feeling of well-being, is more of a choice than a feeling that comes upon us. I often confuse joy with the sensation of happiness.
Happiness, related to the word happenstance, implies chance. It is circumstantial and focused on the self. Joy is choosing to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction. G.K. Chesterton said, “Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian.” Joy is God-centered. It comes from truly believing and accepting that God knows us, loves us, and accepts us. When I lack joy, it always means that my relationship with God has a weak link that I need to address.
Today’s gospel makes it clear that to remain in God’s love (and joy), we must keep his commandments—to “love one another” as God loves us. When we lose that abiding and pervasive sense of well-being, we can take a few practical steps.
First, we need to refocus on the quality of our prayer life. Jesus wants to be our friend, which requires a relationship with him and prayer. Second, when things are going well, take inventory of our complaints; when things are not going well, take the time to find gratitude in what we have. Third, stop focusing on ourselves. Find ways to “lay down” our lives for a friend by giving of ourselves to others. Finally, we must let our joy radiate for others to see. Do not keep it a secret.
Prayer
O God, you choose us this day to remain in your love as we encounter those we meet. Help us to grow in our ability to love others as fully as you have loved us in giving your life for us. Give us the patience and understanding we need to see the good in others, to see and love in them what you see and love in all of your children. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.