Self-Giving Always Brings Us Joy

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. John 15:10-11

Joy is ultimately God's will for us. Joy is what we want for ourselves and for those we love. Sometimes, though, we look for it in the wrong places. If we try to find joy merely in material things, it eludes us. If we look for it in self-forgetting love, then joy finds us. I think this sums up much of what Jesus consistently tells is in the Gospel.
Jesus' commandments are all about loving God for himself and loving others in ways that we ourselves would want to be loved. Does this really bring joy? Maybe the best answer can come from our own self-reflection. In my life, all of my self-centered moments eventually caused me regret. But all the moments of gratitude and caring brought a wonderful sense of joy. This is what Jesus wants us to experience in our everyday life.
Lord, you came to show us how our lives could be meaningful and joyful. May your spirit guide us so that our lives may be in harmony with you.
Fr. Kenneth E. Grabner, C.S.C.