THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL. (Homily for April 28, 2016. Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter)


Bible Study: Acts 15, 7 to 21 and John 15, 9 to 11.


In a world of growing injustices, violence unleashed on innocent citizens, leaders refusing to rise up to their responsibilities to provide the dividends of democracy, a world where a particular set of people seem to be having their way while perpetrating evil on a massive scale, a world of growing anger among the citizens and especially among Christians who seem to be the victims of these unprovoked attacks, one is tempted to wonder if Jesus Christ was ever right when he preached love in place of hate.

We all desire to be happy and to live joyful and healthy lives but the problem is that not everyone knows how to find this happiness and for such persons, the key to relieve their pain is to unleash pain on others but it never works. As strange and unreasonable as this may sound, the key to our greatest happiness is not violence on others or revenge but love.

John 15, 10 to 12. “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.”

When Jesus was arrested, Peter took out a sword and struck the ear of Malchus, a slave to the high priest, and to the amazement of everyone, Jesus put back the ear in place and made an amazing statement: “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Matthew 26, 52.

This is a statement for angry Christians in this country today. All those who go about maiming, raping and killing our people are using the sword and whether they like it or not, they too will perish by the sword of their hands. But it is not for us to follow the way of Peter. Love is more powerful than hate! 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help us to remain in your love by loving as you loved. Amen.
St. Louis Maria De Monfort, pray for us.


God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.

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