“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete….”
John 15:9-17
While the dictionary definition of joy is “the emotion of great delight and happiness caused by something good and satisfying” Pope Francis reminds us that joy is a grace and a Fruit of the Holy Spirit; not just positive emotions but much more.
In life, we want to experience joy and so we keep searching to find that satisfaction that joy brings. Regrettably, we focus on getting more money, the perfect job, the perfect home, the perfect family, the perfect body, since society has led us to believe this is where joy is found.
However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tries to steer our search back in the right direction, since joy is found right where it was all this time: in the Lord! This “complete” and satisfying joy is found in really knowing that Jesus gave his life for us so that we can live with Him in eternity. The fullness of this consolation bears rich fruit in our lives.
Lord, as we journey to Pentecost, help me to find in you the true joy I seek.