Cooperating with Joy – Reflection on John 15:9-11
Love’s journey can be a crooked line if we are not exposed to love’s depth in our youth. It can be hard to understand how to embrace love as the primary virtue until we fall in love with open arms. I am sure you have seen the walls in others that can hinder love’s joyfulness, such as being stubborn, macho, and selfish, to name a few. It can be hard and complex to learn that being vulnerable and opening up to others stands in the way of complete surrender. Yielding is the one necessary thing that completes us to be fully human and fully divine. I can testify to that transformation by letting Christ’s unconditional love into my heart and accepting its sometimes extremely aggressive correcting and taming. I am welcoming, appreciating, understanding, and cooperating with joy.
Our Lord Jesus Christ by James Tissot painting at full resolution.
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Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 15:9-11 – Scripture*
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 15:9-11 Reflection – Cooperating with Joy.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 15 passage.
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