Abiding In Love & Joy

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Easter Feria

Today's Readings:
[ Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3, 10-13; Jn 15:9-11 ]

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus continues his farewell discourses and says, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love”. These are not merely comforting words. They are an invitation into a way of life rooted in communion, humility, and joy. Christ does not command us first to achieve, impress, or conquer. He invites us to remain... to dwell in divine love as branches remain connected to the vine.

In the reading from Acts, the early Church wrestles with a difficult question: who truly belongs among the people of God? Peter speaks plainly, reminding the assembly that God “made no distinction between them and us”. The grace of Christ is not reserved for a select few or burdened by unnecessary barriers. God’s mercy reaches outward, embracing the stranger and drawing all peoples into communion.

This resonates deeply with Franciscan spirituality. St. Francis of Assisi saw all people — indeed all creation — as brothers and sisters under one loving Father. Francis understood that the Gospel is not about protecting privilege or status, but about joyful belonging in God’s family. The simplicity of Franciscan life is rooted in this truth: when we abide in Christ’s love, we no longer need to cling tightly to power, fear, or division.

The Psalm proclaims, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth”. The joy Jesus speaks of in the Gospel is not private happiness but a joyful participation in God’s renewing work. It is the freedom to love generously because we ourselves have first been loved.

Today, perhaps the Lord asks us a simple question: are we abiding in love, or merely passing through it? To abide means staying close to Christ in prayer, mercy, forgiveness, and trust. It means allowing God’s love to soften our hearts toward others, especially those we are tempted to exclude or judge.

And in that abiding, Jesus promises something remarkable: “so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete”.

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