If you don't make the conscious effort to keep your joy, year after year you'll get more and more solemn. Not only will the enemy rob you of the joy that belongs to you, but he'll rob your family and friends of the gift that you have to give them. When you have joy, you can use that joy to influence the people around you for good. Joy is strength, and when you have joy, you can offer strength to the people God has placed in your life.

Monday in the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 19:1-8

Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

J ohn 16:29-33 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! (30) Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God." (31) Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? (32) The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for  the Father is with me. (33) I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Meditation by Nancy Shirley

As I read the readings for today, the overarching sense to me was one of comfort.  From St. Paul ’s baptisms in the name of the Lord Jesus to Jesus himself assuring the disciplines to be courageous, we find solace and a caring presence.

The first reading finds Paul in his travels discussing if they (the Ephesians) received the Holy Spirit.  Imagine his surprise when they replied they had never even heard of it.  Paul helped them to see the difference between a baptism of repentance and one of embracing Jesus Christ. While our reciting the Nicene Creed certainly affirms our beliefs, I am always pleased when we specifically renew our baptism vows.  As a cradle Catholic, my parents and godparents affirmed that for me many years ago.  Therefore, I love the opportunity to say these words myself and actively profess my faith.

In my prayer group, one aspect we address is the identification of our moments closest to God.  These moments take many forms from feeling the presence of God in interactions with others (especially grandchildren!) to the wonder of every new flower in my garden (I sing them Christian music as I water them). Of course, as I have said so many times before, I feel the very real presence of the Holy Spirit so often through music. Perhaps it is the melodies or the rhythms that bring the scriptural words to life to touch my very soul.  I wonder how the early disciples experienced it.  Did they feel that glorious tingle throughout every cell of their being?  Did their eyes brim with tears, as they were overwhelmed with feelings? Were they filled with joy and gratitude? We are told that they were able to speak in tongues and prophesize. Although I have never experienced such a consequence, I know I feel fortified and long to share the Good News. When I was a small child, it was the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost as we called it then) that I least understood.  My childish views of God and his son, Jesus were at least something around which I could get my arms.  The “Holy Ghost” was just too foreign a concept for me to comprehend then.  Now, I pray “Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful” and it is, indeed, very real to me.

When I first reviewed these readings a few weeks ago, I mused at the responsorial psalm.  Certainly we know that the psalms are songs, but I chuckled that my assignment would include, “Sing to God” – one of my favorite ways to receive and express my faith.  A coincidence?  No way!  Just another God-incidence to inspire and sustain me.

The gospel ends with a wonderful message to keep in our hearts.  Lately, it seems that many friends and family are struggling with a variety of challenges (life!). I hold them in my prayers, encourage them to pray, and if local, urge them to visit a healing garden in our area that has the most inviting statue of Jesus.  There can be much comfort in all of these but mostly in the words of John’s gospel:

“In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

How can I keep from singing?

Supplementary Reading

Get Your Joy Back

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. - I Peter 1:8

H ave the pressures and circumstances of life taken away your joy? Today is the day to get it back! It's time to get excited about your future and learn to enjoy each and every day.

If you don't make the conscious effort to keep your joy, year after year you'll get more and more solemn. Not only will the enemy rob you of the joy that belongs to you, but he'll rob your family and friends of the gift that you have to give them. When you have joy, you can use that joy to influence the people around you for good. Joy is strength, and when you have joy, you can offer strength to the people God has placed in your life.

Today, draw the line in the sand and say, "That's it. I'm not going to live another day negative, discouraged, sour and grumpy. I'm going to put a smile on my face. I'm going to live my life happy." Choose to let your faith in Him fill you with inexpressible and glorious joy so that you can be a blessing everywhere you go!

Father in heaven, thank You for Your love. Thank You for choosing me and molding me into Your image. Today, I invite You to fill me with Your inexpressible, glorious joy so that I can be a blessing to the people You have placed in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.—Joel & Victoria Osteen

For archive of previous Daily Meditation postings, please visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program:  http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.