HAPPINESS BASED ON LOVE FOR CHRIST - 05/27/22 (Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter)

John 16:20-23

Jesus said to His disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question Me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052722.cfm

For more information on the Optional Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/may-27---saint-augustine-austin-of-canterbury-bishop/

Blessed Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury! Just like in the readings yesterday, Jesus tells us that the world rejoices. There is a difference between the happiness that is found in worldly things and the happiness found in Christ alone. For example, there are many people who think that their sources of happiness are their riches. Many people are diligently working in order to buy new phones, bags, shoes, clothing, etc. Spending their money on expensive things may be part of their top priorities as some people place their worth on achievements or on the praises from others. 

But, when the time comes that they have financial problems and when others seem to have more riches than them, their joy seems to no longer be present. The happiness that Jesus promises to us is something that cannot be taken away from us. When our Lord was explaining to His disciples how their griefs would turn to joy, He described it using the example of a woman in labor. The sufferings of a pregnant woman become more intense as the time of her delivery comes nearer. But, as she sees her child, she no longer remembers the pain. There is one thing that we can imitate from our mothers, and that is love. Pregnant women are capable of enduring the pain because they love their children. 

As we grow closer to God, the sufferings we will experience will become more intense as well. We may receive mockeries from people who do not see the importance of the Catholic faith. We may be belittled by some who are more successful than us financially. We can also encounter more trials and temptations that will purify our souls even if these things are painful. If we do not have love, our work is useless. But, if we have love, we can do everything that God asks of us. We can bear our crosses because of our love for Jesus whom we want to glorify through our imitation of His sacrifices. God loves us regardless of whether we are successful according to worldly standards or not. He loves us regardless of whether we have achievements or not. 

He does not look at these things, for they are not the true sources of happiness. At the end of our lives, we will be judged based on our love for Him because He is our sole happiness, both in heaven and on earth. God created us for us to be united to Him by glorifying Him in all of our actions with our words, intellects, imaginations, and actions. It may be difficult to be detached from worldly things if we become used to them. But, we can follow the will of God amidst such difficulties if we ask help from Jesus in our prayers. Jesus Christ tells us that whatever we ask the Father in His name will be given to us. As such, let's always pray for detachment from worldly things and for holy perseverance, especially when we encounter many trials in life. If we suffer with Jesus on earth, we will also be glorified with Him in heaven. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic