That Your Joy May Be Full

Thursday, 2 May 2024. Readings: Acts 15:7-21, Ps. 96:1-3,10, John 15:9-11

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” (John 15:10)

Today’s Gospel passage continues Jesus’ teaching on the Vine and the Branches. In the first part of this teaching, Jesus explains the “WHY” of abiding in Him: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5). Today, Jesus shows us the “HOW” of abiding in Him as branches of the Vine. What binds us to Jesus? Is it just the title we bear (as Christians) or what we do? On the other hand, could it be our adherence to religious traditions such as circumcision? Let us now consider the lessons in today’s readings:

1. To Abide in Jesus is To Love Your Neighbours As He Loved Us: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says: “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.” (John 15:10). This verse appears confusing but in subsequent verses, Jesus clarifies: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13). The key phrase here is: “Love one another as I have loved you.” We are used to hearing: “Love your neighbour as yourself” or “Do to others what you want done to you”, but in this case, Jesus wants us to love others as He loved us; he wants us to offer our lives for one another as He did on the Cross of Calvary. This is the basis of abiding by Jesus – sacrificial love.

2. As Scary as Sacrificial Love May Seem, It Is The Key to Happiness: We live in a world where no one is ready to make sacrifices for others, but we all expect others to sacrifice for us. Jesus tells us today: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11). The following quote was attributed to Pope Francis: “Rivers don’t drink their water; trees do not eat their fruit; the sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is… life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.” As that nursery rhyme goes, “The time to be happy is now, the place to be happy is here, and the way to be happy is to make someone happy, and we would have a little heaven down here.” Truly, nothing can equate to the joy that comes to you when you put smiles on other people's faces.

3. Love is More Powerful Than Hatred: In a world of growing injustices, violence unleashed on innocent citizens, leaders refusing to rise to their responsibilities, and in a world where Christians are victims of unprovoked attacks, one is tempted to wonder if Jesus was right when he preached love in place of hate. If hating others (revenge) could make us joyful, Jesus would have recommended it. The fullness of joy we desire will not come from hating (destroying) others but from loving our neighbours and enemies as ourselves.

4. Love Saved the Early Church: Our first reading today contains minutes of the first general assembly of church bishops. There was a debate on the matter of circumcision as a requirement for newly converted Gentiles to the Christian faith. A conclusion was reached that these converts were not to be burdened with circumcision. Rather, they were to abstain from idol worship, unchastity, strangled meat, and blood. Underneath this decision was a recognition that God bestowed great love on them even while they were uncircumcised. Peter said: “God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Therefore, why do you make a trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? (Acts 15:8-10).

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us to remain in your love by loving as you love. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (Saint Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor. Bible Study: Acts 15:7-21, Ps. 96:1-3,10, John 15:9-11).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu