Archive for January, 2010

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Sun 31 Jan 2010

Daily Meditation

Posted by johncatoir under Daily Meditations
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Such is the complete reliance upon God that we have through Christ. Obviously, we are not competent of ourselves to take credit for anything as coming from us. Our competence comes from God. —2 Cor 3:4-5

Reflection. The gift of confidence is deeper in your soul than you may imagine.

The mere fact that you are reading these daily meditations means that you are finding your confidence in Jesus. To pray to Christ is both to love Him and to rely on Him.

Prayer. Dear Jesus, I am hopeful, I am grateful, and I am confident thanks to You.

 

Sat 30 Jan 2010

Daily Meditation

Posted by johncatoir under Daily Meditations
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And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth . . . [Who] dwells with you. —Jn 14:16-17

Reflection. The Indwelling Trinity is closer to you than your own heartbeat. His comfort is available at will. Let the Lord be your strength, and your joy.

Like water at the kitchen sink, you need only turn on the spigot to draw it out; so is the Holy Spirit waiting to be invited into your life.

Prayer. Almighty God, I open myself to You; comfort me so that I may comfort others.

 

Fri 29 Jan 2010

Daily Meditation

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This is indeed a grace, if you endure the pain of unjust suffering because you are conscious of God. —1 Pet 2:19

Reflection. It is normal to want to run away from the cross. Do not be surprised if you are not up to carrying it. But how pleased the Lord is with those who pray for the grace to grin and bear it!

Even if they cry, their time of suffering can win rich rewards for themselves and for those they love.

Prayer. Help me, Lord, to be brave when I feel like caving in. I am very conscious of Your presence in my life.

 

Thu 28 Jan 2010

Daily Meditation

Posted by johncatoir under Daily Meditations
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Love bears all things. —1 Cor 13:6

Reflection. When Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879, there were many failures along the way. At one point, his assistant in a fit of frustration, urged him to give up. “We have gone through thousands of experiments,” he said, “and they have all failed.” Edison snapped back, “Failed, no. We have learned thousands of experiments that do not work. We’re getting closer.”

Perseverance is the way to success.

Prayer. Dear Lord, I know the joy and celebration that awaits those who persevere. Help me to endure all things and plod along with confidence in reaching my goals.
 

Wed 27 Jan 2010

Daily Meditation

Posted by johncatoir under Daily Meditations
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No one lights a lamp to hide it in a corner . . . ; he places it on a stand so that all may see. —Lk 11:33

Reflection. Holiness reveals itself in the last analysis as the fullness of life. It is expressed in the form of boundless happiness.

It is the reflection of the light of Christ and God.

Prayer. Immerse me in Your light, O Lord. Let me feel You in my body, mind, heart, and soul.

 

Tue 26 Jan 2010

Daily Meditation

Posted by johncatoir under Daily Meditations
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Love is never obnoxious. . . .
—1 Cor 13:5a

Reflection. Human judgment is so often clouded by feelings. We judge other people, and even ourselves, not so much on the objective evidence, but on feelings.

Put aside those bad feelings. Just laugh at them. Love your neighbor no matter how badly you might feel.

Prayer. Lord, help me to be polite when I feel like being rude.

 

Sun 24 Jan 2010

Daily Meditation

Posted by johncatoir under Daily Meditations
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And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody.
—Mt 5:24

Reflection. In her book, Something More, Catherine Marshall writes about a time when she and her husband had problems that seemed to resist their prayers; they decided to act literally on Jesus’ words, “And when you stand in prayer, forgive everyone.”

So each day they spent time putting on paper any grievances they had against anybody. They read them aloud, forgave the persons involved, then destroyed the paper.

Prayer. Dear Jesus, help me to replace my emotional baggage with a forgiving heart. I will feel so much lighter.
 

Fri 8 Jan 2010

Welcome to the new Messenger of Joy web site

Posted by johncatoir under Announcements
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We hope you like our new web site. You can navigate by using the menu at the top of the screen, or at the right hand side. We are still working on some areas, but we hope to have these finished in the near future. For now, enjoy the new content, and keep checking back for frequent updates. Also, if you haven’t subscribed to our free monthly newsletter, click here. Thank you.

 

Tue 5 Jan 2010

The secret of Happiness

Posted by johncatoir under Thoughts
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In 1953, I was walking guard duty at midnight on Christmas Eve. There I was, a lonely Army draftee serving at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas. My civilian life seemed a million miles away. I could hear the choir singing at the post chapel, where Midnight Mass was being held, and I felt terribly lonely.

It never dawned on me that I was giving in to self-pity, and thereby was missing a wonderful opportunity to come closer to God. It would have been so much better had I united spiritually with the choir, and thought of God as a friend who was closer to me than my own heartbeat.

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Sun 3 Jan 2010

Grace is Amazing

Posted by johncatoir under Daily Meditations
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Back in 1977, I learned that a Catholic, multi-media organization called The Christophers, was searching for a new director. I had been an admirer of their founder, Father James Keller, ever since I was a teenager.

Communications was the mission of this New York City based media organization. They were basically two companies under one umbrella: a radio/television production company, and a publishing house, which produced spiritual books and pamphlets.

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