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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus told His followers,

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy.

Yes, your joy will overflow!”

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– John 15:11 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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Strange words, from one about to be crucified

that He should speak of His joy!

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Jesus’ joy was union with and presence of the Father.

He desired His followers to have that same joy

– that constant consolation of the sense of God’s presence.

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Christ’s words of hope;

His promise;

the certainty that God loves us;

are all a source of Christian joy.

But all this calls for a fruitful response on our part,

which should take the form of a fervent desire to embrace and do God’s will in everything,

to keep His commandments, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who did the will of His Father.

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As a result of our union with God,

and of perseverance,

we will share in the joy of Christ.

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In this life, the more we know God and the more closely we are joined to him,

the happier we will be.

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In eternal life

our joy will be complete,

because our knowledge and love of God will have reached its climax.

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QUOTE…

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“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;

and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him

and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

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– St. Peter (1 Peter 1:8)

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

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– St. Paul (Romans 12:12)

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“Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour.

Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly,

even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain,

and turns a very short time into a long one.

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Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God,

and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved,

in a happiness and rapture that can never end.”

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– St. Teresa of Avila

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PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Grant, O Lord, the grace of inward happiness,

and the serenity which comes from living close to You.

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