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The Mustard Tree has grown!













In Pope Francis', "The Joy of the Gospel" the word "Joy" occurs 28 times in the first four pages, plus seven " rejoices." Did you know that?
I learned it because I read it!
I was reading a short article by Margery Eagan, "Seeking the transcendent" that someone gave me. It was published on May 27, 2015 in Crux. She feels that the shrinking number of American Catholics is "also about Catholics seeking and not finding an experience of the holy and transcendent - of God- in their Church."

She goes on to explain that when the Holy Father says that "the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus" he is talking about an actual experience of God, which changes everything. She also reminds us of these lines from John's Gospel:  "Live in me, and I will live in you."
"Abide in me."
"Remain in me."
"I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."

We are all called to be mystics for a mystic is someone who has experienced those glimpses and believes they have had direct communion with God. I think most of us have had that kind of experience and it stays with us. God wants us to encounter Him in many ways so just let yourself be lost in His Love.