Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.
Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments,
you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my
Father's commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy
may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This
is my commandment, that you love one another
as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than
this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:9-12

Reflection:

Our joy is found in bringing the light of Christ into the
darkness – into the chaos and the whirlwind of suffering.

In the liberating gospel of John, Jesus goes to
considerable lengths to reveal how God is alive in him
and God is alive in us. In that discourse, Jesus invites
us into community with God and offers us a path and a
plan to bring that community to everyone we encounter
and ultimately to all humanity. The guiding principle of
that plan — and the source of our joy — is the command
to love one another as Christ has loved us and to be willing
to give your all for that purpose. The joy then is found in
the commitment to that principle.

When I understand best that the simple principle of love
including love of justice — allows the healing of my own
despair and anguish and replaces them with joy. It is then
that I am overwhelmed by a profound understanding of the
true nature of joy itself: to be standing in the midst of
struggle, surrounded by those yet yearning to see God for
real.

Prayer:

Oh Mighty God may I know the real joy of loving one
another as you first love me.  In your Holy Name Jesus
Christ my Lord and Savior.  Amen!