Black sheep

This picture reminds me of the uniqueness of each one of us. God delights in His creation and in each and every created being. We are cared for and loved unconditionally. It is good for us to keep reminding ourselves of how much God loves us. Even when we wander off and get lost, He comes to our rescue and carries us tenderly home. We need to believe this and trust in His Love.

I thought I would go back to the Pope's "Gospel of Joy" today as there is so much in it for us to reflect upon.


"The Gospel joy which enlivens the community of disciples is a missionary joy. The seventy-two disciples felt it as they returned from their mission (cf. Lk 10:17). Jesus felt it when he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised the Father for revealing himself to the poor and the little ones (cf. Lk 10:21). It was felt by the first converts who marveled to hear the apostles preaching "in the native language of each" (Acts 2:6) on the day of Pentecost. This joy is a sign that the Gospel has been proclaimed and is bearing fruit. Yet the drive to go forth and give, to go out from ourselves, to keep pressing forward in our sowing of the good seed, remains ever present. The Lord says: "Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out" (Mk 1:38). Once the seed has been sown in one place, Jesus does not stay behind to explain things or to perform more signs; the Spirit moves him to go forth to other towns."

Am I radiating missionary joy? How can I reach out to others today?