REMINDER DAY 25 OF 54 DAY ROSARY NOVENA TODAY - JOYFUL - TopicsExpress

REMINDER DAY 25 OF 54 DAY ROSARY NOVENA TODAY - JOYFUL MYSTERIES Why has study after study shown that people of religious conviction are the happiest? For those who have yielded to a deeply devoted (semper fi) love relationship with Jesus, there is a distinctive serenity and joy about them. There seems to be an extra spring in their step and twinkle in their eye. Far from the boredom and misery of sloth, they radiate a supernatural love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, and gentleness (Fruit of the Holy Spirit, Gal 5:22-23). They are attracted to spiritual things. They have a resolve to lighten the burdens of others. They have a sense of purpose and mission. They seem to have discovered the way to “join the dance” of life. Their life is ignited by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Why? The Holy Spirit is often depicted as fire. Jesus said, “I have come to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled” (Lk 12:49). When Pentecost arrived, the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire that came and rested on the disciples (Acts 2:3). We know fire needs fuel to ignite, whether it’s kindling or, as in the parable of the 10 virgins, oil for a lamp. Spiritually speaking, the Holy Spirit will come to rest on those hearts that have provided the fuel for its fire. So, what is the fuel we offer for the Holy Spirit’s fire? The word “oil” provides a superb acronym to describe the necessary fuel for receiving the fire of the Holy Spirit: O.I.L. = Obedience In Love. Blessed Charles de Foucauld called obedience the “yardstick of love.” It’s a clear way we measure the fidelity and unselfishness of our hearts. Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden light (Mt 11:28-30) not because He would ask less of us, but because He knew that love renders suffering bearable and even joyful. St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.”