Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: John 15:9-11
The first time I noticed those final lines in today’s Gospel - “so that . . . your joy may be complete” - it was paired with the lines that come next in John’s Gospel (love one another). So, when I think of that line, it’s almost always in the context of the love we have for others. But in today’s Gospel, I’m invited to consider those lines in the context of my love for the Lord and His love for me.
Jesus tells us how to have complete joy: remain in His love, in the Father’s love. I certainly want to remain in Him and have that joy. How do I remain in Your love, Lord? It sounds simple: “Keep my commandments.”
Now it’s a little harder. Now I’m a bit like the rich young man, measuring myself against the Ten Commandments and figuring that I’ve been keeping most of them from my youth, so I’m probably okay, right? And then I remember the greatest commandments, the ones Jesus gave me: to love Him with my whole heart and mind and soul; and to love others as myself.
Suddenly remaining in Him feels nearly impossible. But it isn't. It isn’t impossible because, as He’s already told us, He loves us, He loves us with the love of His Father. And that love is living and active and can transform us if we allow it.
So today I want to invite the Lord’s love into every part of my life: to ask Him to help me put Him first, to give me His heart for others, to love what’s right. And I trust that the fruit of that remaining is joy.
Ponder:
How can I invite the Lord into my life today so that I can remain in Him?
Pray:
Jesus, I want to remain in Your love. Help me today to respond to Your invitation to love You and others.
Copyright 2022 Megan Swaim
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