Today's Gospel

The Joy Prayer

So again, we see this very strong connection between Jesus and the Father. And it's really beautiful if you think about it. It's in a lot of readings, but we tend not to think too much about it. The phrase that jumped out at me today is the end of sort of the first part of the reading, where Jesus said, "Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive." But then this next bit is what jumped out at me, "That your joy may be full." That your joy may be full. It's a beautiful image that your joy may be full. We experience a little joy here and a little joy there. And that's a gift from God. That's a blessing. We should be grateful for that. But what is Jesus talking about? He's talking about that our joy may be full. What would have to happen? What would have to be true for your joy to be full? And whatever that is, when is the last time you asked God for that in Jesus' name? See, Jesus, He's given us a template, right? He's given us a formula. He's saying, "Pray and ask the Father in my name." And I think we ignore that sometimes. I think we do a lot of things in our lives, not in the name of Jesus. And I think we pray a lot of prayers, not in the name of Jesus. And if it's not in the name of Jesus, it's probably in our own name. And there's probably some selfishness attached to that and some effort to try and forward our plan, to forward our agenda, rather than to surrender and say, "All right, God, what is it do you want in this moment?"

Let's go out in the world today that our joy may be full. The words of Jesus, not my words, the words of Jesus, that your joy may be full. Let's work out what would it take for your joy to be full? Have a great day, and remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.