Gospel Joy

"Father in heaven, form in us the likeness of your Son and deepen his life within us. Send us as witnesses of gospel joy into a world of fragile peace and broken promises. Touch the hearts of all men with your love that they in turn may love one another ….." (Mass Prayer)

What a profound prayer. First of all, we ask our Father in heaven to produce in us the likeness of Jesus. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. His most cherished task is to form the likeness of Jesus in us and deepen the life of Jesus with us. How does He accomplish this? Primarily through the Eucharist. Also through the Sacraments and His word.

It is only when we have remained with Jesus for a long time and begin to reflect His character can we be sent as witnesses of the gospel joy into the world marked by fragile peace and broken promises. Any person who places his trust in what the world offers and promises places his life on a moving sand.

The only reliable promise is God's Word, Jesus Christ our Lord