Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Secret of Joy
The secret of true joy doesn't consist of having many things, but in feeling loved by the Lord, in making ourselves a gift to others and in loving ourselves. True joyconsists in its feeling that our personal and communal existence is fulfilled by “a great mystery, the mystery of the love of God.""To rejoice we need not only things, but also love and truth, we need a God that is near, that warms our heart and responds to our profound expectations. This God is manifested in Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary."In the end, love wins and the Universe consummates, not with a bang or a whimper, but with a big party called the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. David anticipated this cosmic whooptidoo with a little party of his own, celebrating the homecoming of the Ark of the Covenant just as we shall one day celebrate the Homecoming of the Bridegroom. Today, take some time and make merry before the Lord.
A Prayer Blessing
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
PRAYER TO JESUS
O Jesus, meek Savior and Prince of Peace, implant in me the virtues of gentleness and patience. Let me curb the fury of anger and restrain all resentment and impatience so as to overcome evil with good, attain your peace, and rejoice in Your love.
O Jesus, Model of humility, divest me of all pride and arrogance. Let me acknowledge my weakness and sinfulness, so that I may bear mockery and contempt for Your sake and esteem myself as lowly in your sight.
O Jesus, Teacher of abstinence, help me to serve You rather than our appetites. Keep me from gluttony - the inordinate love of food and drink and let me hunger and thirst for Your justice.
O Jesus, Lover of purity, remove all lust from my heart, so that I may serve You with a pure mind and a chaste body.
O Jesus, Father of the poor, help me to avoid all covetousness for earthly goods and give me a love for heavenly things. Inspire me to give to the needy, just as You gave Your life, that I might inherit eternal treasures.
O Jesus, Exemplar of love, keep me from all envy and ill-will. Let the grace of Your love dwell in me that I may rejoice in the happiness of others and bewail their adversities.
O Jesus, zealous Lover of souls, keep me from all sloth of mind or body. Inspire me with zeal for your glory, so that I may do all things for You and in You.
O Jesus, my Merciful Redeemer, my Loving Savior, my Divine Healer, all this I humbly pray and ask in confidence, and filled with faith, hope and trust, in Your Holy and Mighty name, Amen.
O Jesus, Model of humility, divest me of all pride and arrogance. Let me acknowledge my weakness and sinfulness, so that I may bear mockery and contempt for Your sake and esteem myself as lowly in your sight.
O Jesus, Teacher of abstinence, help me to serve You rather than our appetites. Keep me from gluttony - the inordinate love of food and drink and let me hunger and thirst for Your justice.
O Jesus, Lover of purity, remove all lust from my heart, so that I may serve You with a pure mind and a chaste body.
O Jesus, Father of the poor, help me to avoid all covetousness for earthly goods and give me a love for heavenly things. Inspire me to give to the needy, just as You gave Your life, that I might inherit eternal treasures.
O Jesus, Exemplar of love, keep me from all envy and ill-will. Let the grace of Your love dwell in me that I may rejoice in the happiness of others and bewail their adversities.
O Jesus, zealous Lover of souls, keep me from all sloth of mind or body. Inspire me with zeal for your glory, so that I may do all things for You and in You.
O Jesus, my Merciful Redeemer, my Loving Savior, my Divine Healer, all this I humbly pray and ask in confidence, and filled with faith, hope and trust, in Your Holy and Mighty name, Amen.
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