Things those make our Joy complete

Gospel Thoughts*

*Easter Season : 6th Week -  Saturday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 16:23b-28*

*First Reading - Acts 18:23-28*

*Things those make our Joy complete*

*Jesus says "ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."*

*1) We need to ask those things which make our Joy Complete*

Jesus Himself says *Ask you will receive*

But we need to ask one question? What things are we asking in our day today life?

Jesus clearly says that we need to ask those things which will generate the lasting joy and not a momentary Joy

*2) Things those generate the Lasting Joy*

The following things can be listed in the above group

*Good and moral life* This type of life is very challenging, but ultimately it generates the joy which lasts forever 

*Disciplined and value based life* Once again such a upright life creates the joy which lasts forever 

*Holy Life* We have been called to live a holy life. Such a life is the foundation of lasting joy 

*Various Christian Virtues*

Life of Forgiveness

Life of Sacrifice

Life of Sharing 

Life of Service to the needy 

Life of Truth and Justice

Life of concern for the other 

Life of peace 

Life of selflessness

Life of generosity

Life of deep faith, hope and genuine love 

Life filled with prayers, and sacramental life 

All these above aspects in our life create a lasting and complete joy

*3) Worldly things and Joy*

Many of us have a wrong perception that worldly things give us complete joy 

But so far in the history of the World not even a single person whose joy was complete and lasting because of the best worldly things and possessions

So from this it is very clear that no worldly things will give us complete and lasting joy 

*4) What do we ask in our day today life?*

Jesus says *Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.*

What do we ask? 

Some people ask for money, power, position, highest social security etc 

Some ask, beauty, easy life, worldly pleasures etc 

Some people desire knowledge, talents and skills only for the selfish purposes and to get a name 

Such self centred prayers are not heard by God, and  God never answers such prayers 

*5) Until now you have not asked anything in my name*

What things have I asked for in Jesus' name? 

Are those things give us the complete joy, which was promised by Jesus 

We need to reflect seriously the above sentence in order to see whether our prayers are filled with right spirit or not

*Think about it*

*Lord Help me to pray for those things which give me the lasting and complete Joy*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*