Daily Gospel Reflection for May 14, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 15:9-17

As children grow from the innocent kindergarten years into exploring the freedoms and choices that come in later elementary life and beyond, it can be a trying time for parents.

How much freedom do we give? What lessons do we need to let our children learn on their own? How much do we need to instruct versus surrender?

The dance can be quite stressful.

In this Gospel, the Lord reveals to us His effective parenting strategy:

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

We are striving to show our children the way to ultimate joy through our correction and instruction. Just as God wills the very best things for our lives, He establishes boundaries and rules to help us reach that paradise. We, too, will complete joy for our children, and sometimes that looks like uncomfortable conversations, tears, and lessons learned along the way. Our children may be quick to tell us that it does not feel very loving but often return in gratitude for the guidance later in life.

I have found it helpful to also show my own children that saying no to their friends, or gently correcting their behavior is a form a “loving one another.” If we are to love as the Father loves us, then we are to instruct and correct, so that the world’s “joy may be complete.”

May we live out the spiritual works of mercy to instruct the ignorant and admonish the sinner with grace and love this day and every day, as the Father has commanded us, so that our joy may be complete and His love be known.

Ponder:

Where have I seen the fruits of hard conversations with my children as increased joy in their lives?

Pray:

Lord, give us the courage to love as fully as You loved, with wisdom to shape our children so that their joy may be complete, and so they can spread that love to those they encounter.

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Just as God wills the very best things for our lives, He establishes boundaries and rules to help us reach that paradise. #DailyGospel

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