Game Plan of Joy

I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.

Jn.15:11

Jesus is giving a final teaching to his disciples before his passion and death. The purpose of his teaching is to give his disciples a complete, lasting joy.

The disciples are about to witness Jesus' horrible death and be scattered in confusion and dismay. Yet Jesus is working not on a game plan on how to survive the persecution that is to come. He's working on giving them joy. In fact, this is his game plan. Complete joy.

The great witness of the early Church was joy. Pope Francis, in his encyclical The Joy of The Gospel, says "The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. It is a joy ever new, a joy which is shared." 

Joy is not an option. It's the hallmark of an authentic Christian. It is a joy the world is craving. The joy Jesus gave the early Church is still available for me today and it's mine to share.

Thank you Jesus for your wonderful gift of joy. I receive your joy again today. Help me be a joy-filled Christian with those I encounter this day.

Saint Philip Neri, patron Saint of Joy, please pray for us.