Messenger of Joy

Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so faith without works is also dead.  - Jas 2:26

Reflection.  True faith is more than words.  It is a kind of joyful surrender.  In dying on the Cross, Jesus did more than believe in God; He obeyed Him.  He went to Jerusalem against the advice of friends because His Father asked it.  Jesus knew the danger before Him, but He went anyway.

Prayer.  Father, teach me to put my faith into action.  I do not believe that my good deeds will save me, for You have done that for me, but I do believe that my charitable acts are pleasing to You.

Peter came up to Him and asked, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy times seven.”   - Mt. 18:21

Reflection.  You have the power to bring your precious contribution to the happiness of the world.  Believe in the everlasting effects of your good acts, especially your willingness to forgive.

Prayer.  Father, I want to forgive.  Give me the grace to say yes I forgive once and for all.  Though I cannot forget, I leave my bad feelings with You.

As Jesus walked along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth.  His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.”  - Jn 9:1-3

Reflection.  Jesus thundered His disapproval of the idea that physical disabilities are a sign of God’s disfavor.  He reassured the blind man that he was not cursed, but was blessed by a loving God.

Prayer.  Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing us the Good News that God is Unchanging Love.  I rejoice in this knowledge. 

There is no treasure like a healthy body; no happiness like a joyful heart.  - Sir 30:10

Reflection.  Decide to be cheerful.  Render others cheerful.  Praise the whole Creation with your cheers.  Be a rock against sadness, pessimism, and hopelessness.  Switch on and keep on in yourself the cheerful buttons, those marked joy, laughter, happiness, love, passion for life, gratitude for life.  - Robert Mueller

Prayer.  Give me a grateful heart, O Lord, and I will honor You with my gladness. 

Hail [Mary], full of grace, the Lord is with you.  - Lk 1:28

Reflection.  Today is Mary’s birthday, mine too.  Jesus honors His Mother on this day.  We honor her too because she said yes to God, and became the Mother of Jesus and our mother.

Prayer.  Dear Jesus, today we celebrate the feast of the Birth of Your Mother Mary.  Help me to imitate her so that my soul may glorify the Lord and my spirit may rejoice in God my Savior.

Daily I was the Lord’s delight, rejoicing before Him always, rejoicing in His inhabited world and delighting in the human race.  - Prov 8:30-31

Reflection.  Make your entire being and life a feast of thanksgiving.  Rejoice immensely and jubilantly for the gift of life.  You were made for joy.  Be the miracle God intended you to be.

Prayer.  O Lord, let me be one with You, Who are threefold holy.  Grant me Your grace and Your holiness.  Help me to rejoice at all times, and in all ways. 

I love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.  - Ps 18:2

Reflection.  In Nehemiah 8:10 we read, “Do not be saddened, for rejoicing in the Lord is your strength.”  This means that we are supposed to rejoice in the Lord’s willingness to be our strength.  To get the full benefit of God’s participation in your life, you have to enjoy it.

Prayer.  I will be joyful, Lord, even in times of trial and darkness.  I sense Your joyful Presence deep within me.  You are my untrembling center. 

May the gracious care of the Lord, our God, rest upon us and prosper the works of our hands.  - Ps 90:17

Reflection.  Early in September we celebrate Labor Day.  St. Benedict once wrote, “To work is to pray.”  Try to make all the acts you perform each day a little prayer of thanksgiving.

Prayer.  O Lord, may the work of my hands and mind be pleasing to You.  I offer all that I do this day as a song of gratitude.  This is the song that makes me exceedingly happy.

You shall call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you.  - Jer 29:12

Reflection.  Even when you do not know what to say in prayer the Holy Spirit will come and help you, as St. Paul states in his Letter to the Romans (8:26).  Therefore, ask the Lord to banish fear from your heart.

Prayer.  Thank You, Most Holy Spirit.  You know my needs before I even ask.  All I can do is thank You again and again. 

A cheerful glance brings joy to the heart.  - Prov 15:30

Reflection.  Have you ever had a person smile at you across a room?  Doesn’t it bring a smile to your face?  It brings joy to your heart as well.  Thank God for the seasons of your life.  Repay Him with your best deeds, thoughts, feelings and prayers.  And be convinced that He is smiling at you from His throne in heaven.

Prayer.  Holy Spirit of joy, I swim in the ocean of Your love.