May 8, 2021

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. – John 15:11

Amidst the doubts and fears of life, we hear these words from Jesus in today’s gospel. What a beautiful message and promise from our faithful God.

We might think Jesus is referring to the joy of heaven, and I think we would be right. We cannot comprehend what awaits us in heaven…it is beyond our ability to understand. I think the joy Jesus speaks about can also be found on this side of heaven. Even when times are hard, when we have sickness, isolation, fear, unemployment, and separation we can experience joy. How? How is joy possible in the midst of hardship? It is possible because we have Jesus. “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Always means always.

Sorrow will come. Doubt will come. Fear will come. We must remember that Jesus walks with us always. His spirit dwells in us by virtue of our baptism. He wants to ease our sorrow, dispel our doubt, and replace it with His deep, abiding love. It is in that love where we will experience complete joy. Thanks be to God!

He is Risen! Alleluia!



©Mary V. Pribbenow 2021