“If you remain
in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done
for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear
much fruit and become my 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. “
John 15: “I have told you
this so that my joy may be in you and
your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
This scripture is part of the parable of The Vine and the Branches. I want to focus
on the concept of joy. Joy and happiness are not the same. Happiness is a
fleeting feeling. It cannot last and is often short-lived. Joy, however, is a gift
of God, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We can be joyful even in the midst of trials
and stress. During my convalescence from surgery, even in pain I was blessed to
have joy. I felt the love of God; I felt it through your prayers, Mass cards,
calls and visits. YOU were Christ to me and I felt Him wrap me in His arms as I
slowly recuperated. I am talking about the joy of the Lord.
Joy is the result of our relationship with God. Christ felt
that joy throughout His life. The only moment that it seemed to be missing was that moment on the cross when He felt the
weight of our sins upon Him and cried out: “My God, My God! Why have you
abandoned me?”
I have heard that Gandhi was quite taken by Christianity,
but could not accept it. “If Christians truly believed what is preached in
their faith, then why are they so sober and lacking in joy?”
Think of how you feel on Christmas, or on Easter Sunday as
you enter the Church and see the decorations. Surely your heart rate increases
a bit, you smile a little more. There is something very special at that time. That
is the joy we should have every moment of our Christian life.
When my grandchildren come to my home, they run to Pat and
me, arms opened and give us a big hug. “I love you and missed you, Grandpa!”
they shout. My heart fills with joy. That is how the fruit of the spirit is
when we recognize how close Christ is to us. He is within us and we are in Him.
Christ told His disciples, “You will realize that I am in my
Father and you are in me and I in you.” (John 14)
In this world that is falling apart right before our eyes,
let us remember that Christ has conquered the Evil One and that nothing can
happen that He will not turn to good. God loves us and wants to bring us into
full communion with Him. Let us then celebrate His love- and show the world the
Joy that is within us.
‘If you have Jesus in your heart, please notify your face!’
‘If you have Jesus in your heart, please notify your face!’
