Thursday, Fifth Week of Easter

Young people who prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation are told about the fruit of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned by Saint Paul in his letter to the Galatians. The second fruit that Saint Paul lists after love is joy. Paul clearly sees a very close link between love and joy. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God’s love. As Paul says in his letter to the Romans, God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. In linking the fruit of love and joy so closely together, Paul seems to be saying that those who are open to receive the Spirit of God’s love into their lives and who love others with the love of the Holy Spirit, the love of God, will be truly joyful. This is also the message of Jesus in today’s gospel reading. He says there that he wants his own joy to be in us, so that our joy may be complete. How will his joy be in us? According to Jesus, it is by remaining in his love for us, opening ourselves to the gift of his love, and then loving one another as he has loved us, which is his primary commandment to us. The path to authentic joy, a sharing in the Lord’s own joy, is the path of love, receiving the Lord’s love for us and then loving one another as he has loved us. People search for happiness in all sorts of ways, very often without finding it. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus shows us the path to authentic joy, the joy that is in his own heart as risen Lord, and it is the path of love received and love given.