A reading from the gospel according to John 15:9-11:

9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.
10 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.
11 “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

Reflection: Love and Joy

The most wondrous sound we can ever hear is someone telling us that we are loved. The gospel reading above maybe very short but it contains what we need to hear: God loves us and He wants us to have complete joy.

We always look for true happiness somewhere. Many people seek to be happy in worldly things such as wealth, power and fame. Others think that sex, alcohol and drugs can satisfy their inner longings and make them happy. Nothing is further from the truth. Happiness is found nowhere else but only in God.

Finding happiness is never difficult. It does even cost us a penny. Jesus is inviting us to keep His commandment, remain in His love and we will have joy and peace.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, forgive us for the many times we sought to be happy in worldly things. Forgive us for the many times we forgot to keep your commandments. We turn back to you now. Help us to remain in your love all the days of our life. Amen.