"Joy Is The Echo Of God’s Life In Your Soul"

So wrote Blessed Columba Marmion, OSB. If we have the Spirit of God in us, we cannot contain it. It comes out in incredible joy. We are able to rejoice because we have made it past the half-way point on our annual Advent pilgrimage to Bethlehem. Most of all we have the gift of faith. We have Emmanuel, God-with-us, on our journey and God will provide for all of our needs. John gave everything to show us Jesus. ‘The voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord!”’

What is a word without a voice? Nothing…. “A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.” John was the prophetic voice announcing the Word and Voice of God, Jesus the Messiah, who is the Word-made-flesh. Words have to be proclaimed and the Good News, the Gospel, has to have the greatest voice announcing it.

We witness to Christ when we make use of the treasures He has entrusted to our care. Our joyful charity and our good and kind deeds give testimony to all that God has done in our lives. What a privilege! Despite the many dark fearful situations in the world, we have so much to rejoice about and we have so much to be thankful for and to look forward to.

Gaudete! Rejoice! The Lord Is Near!

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.”

O, to be filled with spiritual joy that Mary and Joseph had and is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Mary rejoiced in having conceived Jesus in her womb: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” from Chapter 1 of St. Luke’s Gospel. She had to share that joy with Joseph.

God Gives Us Joy Out Of His Love. “As long as we are in this world, the movement of desire does not cease in us, because it still remains possible for us to approach God by grace; once perfect happiness is attained, nothing will remain to be desired, because then there will be full enjoyment of God… “The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Who is given to us.” (Romans. 5:5)

Spiritual Joy Comes from God’s Love. Now they are on their journey to Bethlehem, watching that bright Star each night. During this Third Week of Advent, simply rejoice with gratitude. Ask Our Immaculate Mother Mary to help you enter into this joy God is giving to us.” -Sr. Mary Beverly Arao, PVMI

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Coming In Early January:

Prayer and Life Workshop with Chayito Hernandez

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Fr. Kilian, Fr. Williams, our Deacons and all of our great Parish Staff and Volunteers

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