Daily Gospel Reflection for May 16, 2020

Today's Gospel: John 15:18-21

I was a very happy child who found great delight in all the Creator's things. I don’t think I understood at that tender age what grace was.

I was also bullied by other children, and my delight was an awful rub in my broken family -- at 13 years old I moved away from abuse and into my grandmother’s home.

It was under her guidance that I discovered I was more than what I had been told. As her granddaughter I belonged to a Catholic heritage, and soon learned what being part of that family meant; to be set apart as God’s daughter and all the welcomed obligations that that included.

Joy is holy and different from happiness, and those who didn’t understand this difference found the fruit of the Holy Spirit annoying and irritating. The control needed by bullies and abusers was thwarted by one who could rebound beyond their evil.

In holding close to Our Lord’s lessons, through parable and metaphors, we all grow into the self we were born to be. We can do all things, and forgive all things, and bless the many who have blessed us along the way.

[Tweet "Joy is holy and different from happiness, and those who don't understand the difference find the fruit of the Holy Spirit annoying and irritating. #dailygospel"]

Ponder:

Looking back on your life, who are the people you can bless for encouraging you to be all you are born to be?

Pray:

Jesus, help me to always look upon others as Your children, too. To see them through Your eyes as You also love them through their brokenness, and love me through mine.

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