The Joy of The Lord...

It was about 4:00 in the afternoon when I entered the nearby church. I had just wanted to pop in for a quick visit and say hello to the Lord, to thank him for my day and hopefully find a little refreshment for my soul while I was there.

 Once inside, I noticed a group of young children gathered together. They were in the pews up front situated close to the statue of Our Blessed Mother; they looked to be about eight years old and appeared to be very well behaved. 

A woman, who I thought might be their C.C.D. teacher, was leading them in song, an old time classic and one of my favorites, “The joy of the Lord is my strength”. When they got to the verse, “if you want joy you must SHOUT for it”, they bellowed as loudly as they could. And when they sang, “if you want joy you must JUMP for it”, they bounced up and down like little rabbits.

It looked like they had received the joy they were singing for, I know I sure did!

Joy, it is a small word with a big impact. Once you receive joy you can’t hold on to it; it cannot be contained. Joy must be shared. It is contagious and it leads us to a spirit of gratitude and praise. Joy frees us to receive grace.

When I think back to visit at the church that day, I can’t help but think of  how appropriate it was that the children were gathered close by the statue of Our Blessed Mother, for she is the cause of our joy because she has brought us the greatest joy, her son Jesus.

On July 25, 2013, Our Lady of Medjugorje, gave this message to Marija. This message was meant to be shared with the whole world.

“Dear children! With joy in my heart I call you to live your faith and to witness it with your heart and by your example in every way. Decide, little children, to be far from sin and temptation and may there be joy and love for holiness in your hearts. I love you, little children, and accompany you with my intercession before the Most High. Thank you for responding to my call.”

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us, that we may experience the joy of you have brought us in your son Jesus.

Magnificat of the Shepherds

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. Luke 2 15:20

 
My soul delights in the greatness of the people summoned by angels,

And my spirit embraces each puzzled face that peers through the lamplight at the warm-bundled gift of our song-filled God.

As our eyes meet, joy flows between us and our chins are lifted with gladness.

Yes, from this day forward all generations shall raise their voices to proclaim those who gather here as blessed, for the

Almighty has done great things for us.

Holy are the simple people.

And God’s mercy reaches from age to age for those who would join hands and follow a holy calling.

The power of wonder has called them from the meadows;
they are no longer cold.  

Kings sit alone in their palaces,
and we laugh together in this comfortable place.

In the midst of this night we have shared the bread and meat of our haversacks and our wineskins pass from mouth to mouth.

The kitchen of the inn is long locked and shuttered.
Come, God of Israel, celebrate with your people.  
 Magnificat of the Sheperds, Ann Johnson Miryam of Nazareth



Laughter could be heard throughout the streets of Bethlehem as men and woman made merry. But it was in the quiet of this humble stable that true joy was found, where hope entered the world. May we too, be like the simple shepherds, glorifying and praising God for what we have seen and heard.

"Dear children! Today, I and my Son desire to give you an abundance of joy and peace so that each of you may be a joyful carrier and witness of peace and joy in the places where you live. Little children, be a blessing and be peace. Thank you for having responded to my call." December 25, 2010 Message to Marija

A Joyful Witness

I will witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers and sisters, alleluia
(Ps 17:50; 21:23)

A warm simile that welcomes the stranger

Arms that reach out to others

Eyes that look into the heart

Ears that take time to listen

Patience to put the need of others before my own

Humility to serve

Energy to endure

Grant me these things today, my Lord that I may joyfully witness your love to those who love not.
                                                                           In Jesus name I pray.
                                                                          Amen

Calling on Angels

Adoration of the Shepherds, c.1638

It was a rough afternoon at the clinic. Within the short shift that I worked, two different young women came in for pregnancy testing and ultra sounds.

The first young woman, married with a 4 month old, had taken a pregnancy test at home. Her results had been positive, but she wanted to double check and talk with a nurse. After taking another urine test, the results concurred, she was definitely pregnant. She left the clinic surprised, but happy, and went home to share her news with her husband and family members.


The second young woman was unmarried .She had only been with her boyfriend for 3 months and they had just broke up. She was there with one thought in mind, and it wasn’t to parent. She took a pregnancy test, and while we waited for the nurse to come in, we began to talk.


Being a pro-life clinic, we talked to her about her options for parenting and adoption, but it was easy to see her mind was closed to this. As the client advocate I was working with spoke to her further, I began to pray, begging our Blessed Mother to intercede on this baby’s behalf. Surprisingly, I began to tell her about a crisis pregnancy that I had had when I was only 16, a story I have told few people. I told her that even though it was a very difficult time for me at the beginning; it turned out to be such a wonderful blessing because that beautiful son of mine is now a father of two himself, and they are all  joys of my heart. I also told her about my son in law, a big loveable guy, who had recently joined our family. He had been adopted and now, not only did my daughter get to experience the joy and love that his life offers, but  my entire family and I get to share the joy of his life too!


The staff nurse came in and greeted the young woman warmly, and she began to talk to her about her pregnancy, her family, and her thoughts on keeping her baby. After the young girl’s responses, the nurse answered all her questions in detail. Things did not look promising; but, she did agree to an ultra sound.


As she reclined on the table, the nurse began the procedure. The image on the screen was very clear and the precious little heart was beating away. The nurse asked her if she would like to take a look and with wide eyed curiosity she said,"Yes". As she looked at her child’s image on the screen she smiled and when she left, she took the picture with her, along with some prenatal vitamins.


I don’t know how this will turn out, but I'm calling on angels to pray for them both. Pray hard, please.