Messenger of Joy

Everyone in the crowd was trying to touch Him, because power came forth from Him and healed them all.  – Lk 6:29

Reflection. To this very day power goes out from Jesus and people are cured.  There are many kinds of cures, however.  Some take a long time to understand.  Sometimes the pain of life makes a person more humble and pliable.   Since we will all need a childlike spirit to enter the Kingdom, maybe God is doing us a favor by not giving us exactly what we want when we want it.  Maybe He is preparing us for a greater gift.

Prayer. Dear Jesus, I certainly need You and I want to please You.  Please cure me of my bodily ills as well as my spiritual sickness.  I trust You to heal me in Your own way.

We pray always for you, that our God … may by His power fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

Reflection. The feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul reminds us of the prayers and sacrifices of those who have gone before us.  The Apostles were outstanding witnesses of Jesus Christ.  You are a witness too.

Prayer. Lord, let me witness to the reality of Your love, by being a kind and gentle person, so that my joy will be full in serving others.

In everything, deal with others as you would like them to deal with you.  – Mt 7:12

Reflection. The slothful person does not want to give up his comfort.  The fear of being disturbed makes the slothful person extremely secretive and lonely.  Sloth leads to selfishness.  Love withers in a slothful person.

Prayer. Jesus, help me to overcome my laziness.  With a little effort I can extend myself to make my neighbor’s life a little more cheerful.

Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has the human heart imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.  – 1 Cor 2:9

Reflection. A life rooted in God is one filled with His reality.  It is a life where God’s Spirit does the leading.  In such a state of surrender we might find ourselves drawn to a place we never fancied for ourselves.

Prayer. Lord, take me where You will.  My heart is restless until it rests in You.  Be my guide and my salvation.

The meek shall increase their joy in the Lord.  – Isa 29:19

Reflection. I call.  I call you.  I know that this is bold of me, maybe even vain, possibly a bit inconvenient.  But I must call out as Jesus did:  come with me.  The Lord asks for a precious gift, the gift of yourself, a sacrifice without limitations.  Be humble and enjoy the Lord.

Prayer. Dear Jesus, I know that if I truly submit to You in meekness, You will shower me with blessings.  Give me courage, Lord, and I will be Your obedient servant.

Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of His faithful ones.  – Ps 149:1

Reflection. Lift up your heart, have a new confidence.  Say yes to life and live cheerfully, enthusiastically.  The Lord deserves our cheers and our songs of praise.

Prayer. O Lord, help me to realize that the Liturgy is a precious gift You have entrusted to Your Church.  May I always participate in the Liturgy in a joyful manner.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He set me free from all my fears.  – Ps 34:5

Reflection. Joy destroys fear.  Fear is the enemy of joy.  If you cling to fear and self-pity you will lose your joy.  Therefore, ask the Lord to banish fear from your heart.

Prayer. Deliver me, O Lord, from all needless worry and fear.  Flood my soul with joy.  Teach me to smile in Your presence.

The word of the Lord is true; all His works are trustworthy.  – Ps 33:4

Reflection. Thank the Lord for His truth.  Thank Him for your wonderful body, mind, heart, and soul.  Thank Him for our beautiful planet, for the stars and the sky, our human brethren and sisters, our friends and the animals, our sisters the plants and flowers.  – Robert Mueller

Prayer. Father, I see the splendor of Your creation.  I thank You for everything that lives and has being.

You must regard yourselves as being dead to sin and alive for God in Christ Jesus.  – Rom 6:11

Reflection. Paul’s greatest intuition was his identification with the Christ-life within his soul.  He is led, strengthened, and inspired to want what Jesus wants.  Remember his words:  “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20).  This act of surrender gave him a far different personality from the one he had before he was knocked off his horse in Damascus.

Prayer. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Yours.

Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things, yet only one thing is necessary.  – Lk 10:41-42

Reflection. To love and listen, these are the marks of a true disciple.  Love is the necessary thing, but listening to wisdom helps one to distinguish between love in dreams and love in action.

Prayer. Dearest Lord, I want to give generously of myself without counting the cost, but I am so often a coward.  Teach me to be at peace within myself and free me from needless worry.