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TODAY’S WORD…
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Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: rejoice!
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– Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
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REFLECTION…
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What St Paul says here is particularly impressive
if one bears in mind that he is writing from prison.
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In order to have joy
it does not matter if we are living in difficult situations,
because joy in the Lord is a powerful ally,
a grace that helps us overcome.
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The kind of profound joy that fills the soul with peace
does not derive from the satisfaction of physical or material needs
but from faithfulness to God and His commandments
by embracing the Cross.
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St Cyprian says:
"This is the difference between us and those who do not know God,
they complain in adversity;
but difficulties do not draw us away from virtue or from the true faith.
On the contrary, our virtue and faith are reinforced in affliction."
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QUOTE…
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"For a Christian, joy is a treasure.
Only by offending God do we lose it,
because sin is the fruit of selfishness,
and selfishness is the root of sadness.
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Even then, a bit of joy survives under the debris of our soul
– the knowledge that neither God nor His (Christ’s) Mother forgets us.
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If we repent,
if an act of sorrow springs from our heart,
if we purify ourselves in the holy sacrament of penance,
God comes out to meet and forgive us.
Then there can be no sadness whatsoever."
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– St. Josemaria Escriva
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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…
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Oh the joy of knowing that You are always here by my side, Lord.
Thank You, Jesus!
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