No one will take away our Joy, which arises from the eternal things

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : Sixth Week :   Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 16:20-23*

*First Reading : Acts 18:9-18*

*No one will take away our Joy, which arises from the eternal things*

*1) Jesus on Joy in our Life*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the depth of joy, which His followers can enjoy in their lives 

Jesus says *Your hearts will rejoice,and no one will take your joy away from you*

So one needs to work to create such joy in life and to enjoy this joy in ones life 

*2) The Encounter to the Risen Christ is the cause of Joy*

Jesus makes it very clear that, He will suffer and die on the Cross 

This particular event will bring, a kind of anxiety, fear, confusion, and helpless situation

But this is not the end. Jesus will be raised on the third day and He will appear to his disciples 

So the meeting of Jesus and the encounter of the Risen Lord, will result in a joy, which no one will take away from the hearts of the disciples

*3) The Joy of the Risen Christ in our Life*

From today's Gospel it is very clear that the Joy which arrises from the encounter of the Risen Lord will remain in our life forever. No one will be able to take away this joy from our life 

So the mission of the followers is to experience the encounter of the Risen Lord, to experience this everlasting joy in our life 

*4) Various ways to encounter the Risen Lord and to experience the Eternal Joy*

*Peace* Peace is the first gift of the Risen Lord. One who experiences peace in ones life and one who works for peace will be able to experience this eternal joy, which no one will be able to take away from our life 

*Forgiveness* This is the Another powerful gift of the Risen Lord. The joy which arrises from Forgiveness, can never be stollen by any one else in our life, but it remains for ever in our life 

*Service* We see the Rise  Lord at the service of the disciples to give his risen experience and to strengthen them in their faith. A joy which arises from the Service will remain forever and no one can take away this joy from our life 

*Holy Spirit* Another powerful gift of the Risen Lord. One who receives this Holy Spirit, and listens to His promptings, will be able enjoy the Heavenly Joy, which no one can take away from our life 

*Removing of Doubt* We see the Risen Lord, at the Service of Thomas, who doubted His Resurrection. By Showing his pierced side, Jesus removed the Doubt of Thomas. The Joy which arose from the removing of the Doubt, in the Life of Thomas remained forever and no one could steal this joy from the life of Thomas. The Joy which we enjoy in our life, because of the removing of the doubt, remains with us forever. Otherwise doubt remains in our life, and every moment it takes away our joy, in our  life

*5) Am I able to enjoy the Joy which arrises from eternal things?*

If I am able to *forgive* I can enjoy this joy in my life 

If I am able to *trust* people I can enjoy this joy in my life 

If I am able to *love* people I can enjoy this joy in my life 

If I am able to *sacrifice* something for the good of the other I can enjoy the eternal joy in my life 

If I am able to *serve* others, I can enjoy this joy in my life 

If I am able to *speak good about others* I can enjoy this eternal joy in my life 

If so, what are the hurdles in my life, which take away the eternal joy in my life??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*