In the early Church, Peter, the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas are debating at the council of Jerusalem, our first Church council. They determined that Jesus came to save all. Gentiles did not need to become Jews first. And for the first time the Church seperates itself from the Jews and becomes its own religion-catholic.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses two words that are important in our lives: love and joy. We attain love and joy by keeping the commandments. Love is a decision based on knowledge; a gift of self to others. It is permanent, not flighty. It brings forth new life which is amazing! Love is found in religion, families, our friendships, and everyday occurances with God and people every day. It is something all humans desire. There are no laws against it and most importantly it is what we are made of. God is love. The result of God’s overflowing love is His creation and we are called to share this love with others.
Love brings us joy and joy brings us love. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which every baptized person has in them. Joy is different than happiness. We can entertain ourselves to death, but those things keep us wanting more and keep us unfulfilled. Joy fulfills us. It is stronger and better than happiness. Joy is a result of sacrifice. It is a result of loving. Joy is not flighty and it does not keep us searching for more. Joy is finding God and fighting to keep Him in your life every second He has blessed you with. Joy is stolen by our daily negative thoughts, the Devil, worry, anxiety, doubt, fear, and not dying to self.
Put on the armor of God, keep His commandments, love, sacrifice, die to self, and live with joy.
Become a saint!
Christian YOLO
Recent Comments