"Animated by Joy!" by Sr. Jeana Visel

Praying for u an ur family. This was my morning reflection i read an thought you might enjoy reading it. Have a great day!  God bless u!  angie

Reflection

Animated by Joy
By Sr. Jeana Visel

"St. Paul, poor dear. He gets bashed to pieces and left for dead, but he’s not dead yet. He pops back up and the next day goes on to proclaim the Gospel in another place. Nothing keeps him down. Having survived such abuse, he has the credibility to be able to exhort others to persevere in the faith: hardships may be part of the deal, but God gives a deeper peace. God works through those who proclaim the Kingdom. A deeper joy animates the work of a disciple, no matter the opposition or pain of the path.

Jesus assures us it will be so. In the Gospel of John, as Jesus prepares for his own suffering and death, he wishes his followers a peace not of this world. Yes, suffering and death are frightening prospects, but something more profound than pain is happening. He is preparing to return to the fullness of his relationship with the Father, and a joy and satisfaction pervade his doing what he has been sent to do. There is a greater work yet to be brought to completion, and he is eager to see it through.

As we face our own challenges to persevering in the faith, or to the commitments we have made, whose witness encourages us to stay the course? Who shines with deeply rooted peace and joy, offering us peace in the midst of hardship? How might we be such a sign of the Holy Spirit for others?"

Jeana Visel, OSB, is a Benedictine sister of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana. She works at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and is author of Icons in the Western Church