May 14, 2026

In the Gospel of John, chapters 15 and 16, Jesus teaches about love–and also joy. Following the teaching about staying connected spiritually like a living branch connected to the main stalk of a vine, Jesus then speaks transmitting the love and joy he has received from the Father to us.  “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Do we often associate joy with the Bible?  When we hear the word “Gospel,” do we feel a vague sense of dread that we will be reminded of our shortcomings, that we have not loved others as ourselves, we have not done enough to help the poor, and so on? Yet what Jesus actually says is quite the opposite. He says here that his joy will be in us!  And our joy will be complete! 

To be sure, he acknowledges that pain and joy are often paired. The woman experiences the pain of labor, but then has joy at the birth of her child, he says. Likewise the disciples will experience the grief of separation from Jesus in his earthly body, but then joy at encountering him in the time after the Resurrection. After Jesus’ Ascension, his love and joy becomes accessible throughout the world at all times and all places through the Holy Spirit. We may experience it now.

This love and joy is a gift from Jesus to humanity. It is like a bright, soft white orb of light that he passes from his heart to ours. We may contemplate and rest in that when adversity piles up and when the stresses of the world seem too much. As Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11).  Amen.