September 15 – Mighty Men . . . and Women . . . of Valor!

WHAT a privilege . . . what a responsibility . . . what a blessing . . . what JOY!

The joy . . . of the Lord . . . is our strength! The whole world wants to be mighty in one venue or another . . . boys on video games . . . women in the marketplace . . . men over other men . . . even little girls are beginning to want to have power at home and abroad!

Here is our strength, delivered to us on a silver platter . . . the JOY of the Lord is our strength. Of course, the “silver” part indicates that there will be some refining taking place while we begin to exercise our souls in the kind of joy that results in the kind of power that changes lives, beginning with our own.

Neither death nor taxes can steal our joy. Height of fame cannot increase it; depth of sorrow cannot diminish it. Who among us does not know what it is to be confronted with monumental grief and filled with unspeakable joy, all at the same time? The thing is . . . we must not surrender it! - but . . . we do.

Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising its shame . . . His joy was in obedience to the Father, and in agreeing heart and soul with the Father’s good will. We can be obedient in sorrow. We must be obedient when fame comes our way. We will be obedient in presenting ourselves before the throne of grace, receiving grace and mercy to help in time of need.

Strong? Oh, we will be powerful in this life! Let us commend our souls to JOY this day! Blessing and honor and POWER be unto You, O Lord! Amen.



Carmelite Monastery of the Divine Hearts
Colorado Springs, CO