December 3, 2021 Reflection -May your hearts be filled with joy and faith in God

December 3, 2021

Dear Family of Mary!

“May your hearts be filled with joy and faith in God; that, little children, you may have complete trust in His holy will…” (November 25, 2021)

These words (almost a prayer) from Our Lady carry in them an immense confidence in God. She is communicating to us in this message (November 25, 2021) her complete trust in God and His plan for her children in this time.

Our Lady is not a worry wart. She does not speak words of discouragement or fear. She stands on her knowledge of God which is complete and perfect! She knows who wins!! And she wants us to join her in that confidence and perfect trust, even though we are not in heaven yet. We are sojourners on our way to Heaven. And she is encouraging us to keep going, to not flag in zeal or hope. She is our cheerleader, you might say!

And so she wishes that our hearts would be filled with joy and faith in God. She hopes we will come to a place of complete trust in God’s holy will. She wants us to trust the Father just as she did throughout her life on earth. Even during the Crucifixion of her Son, she did not lose that trust. So she is a very credible witness to us. We can accept her guidance with our whole hearts, because she is worthy of that trust.

So, how can we fill our hearts with joy and faith in God? How can we come to have complete trust in His holy will?

It is through prayer, and through concrete actions that are based on our faith and joy in God.

Here is a litany written by Tom Hoopes that really speaks to this process of faith and joy and trust in God’s will. I hope you can pray it this weekend, and let your trust in God grow!

Litany of Faith, Hope, and Love

Lord God, please give me the grace of the virtues of faith, hope, and love that you promised at baptism and that only you can give.

Act of faith. My God, I believe in you, and all that your Church teaches, because you have said it, and your word is true.

Lord, I believe in you …

… Because the beauty of the world speaks of you.

… Because the goodness in the world comes from you.

… Because I can discern and know the truth.

… Because the laws of the universe are ordered.

… Because your creation is sustained in being.

… Because I am a mystery to myself that your words illuminate.

… Because you are the foundation of truth.

… Because you are too great for me to fully understand.

… Because trustworthy people have believed in you for centuries.

… Because of the witness of science.

… Because of the witness of the saints.

… Because of the witness of the Gospels.

… Because you have given me the gift of faith.

… Increase my faith.

Act of hope. My God, I hope in you, for grace and for glory, because of your mercy, your promises and your power.

Lord, I hope in you …

… Because everything else decays.

… Because you always keep your promises.

… Because you are the King of the Universe.

… Because you created me for your purpose.

… Because I have seen your hand in my own life.

… Because your words direct me.

… Because your goodness is the ground I walk on.

… Because you are greater than anything that threatens me.

… Because in history, good has triumphed.

… Because you have sustained your Church despite the weakness of men.

… Because you have provided for me all my life.

… Because you are all powerful.

… Because without you, I would not exist.

… Because of the witness of the saints.

… That I may I be happy with you forever.

… Increase my hope.

Act of love. O my God, because You are so good, I love You above all things and for your sake I love my neighbor as myself.

Lord, I love you …

… Because you loved me first.

… Because you are infinite goodness.

… Because you are inexhaustible beauty.

… Because you are unfathomable truth.

… Because you made love the fundamental law.

… Because I wouldn’t exist without love.

… Because you created me.

… Because you gave me every good thing.

… Because you gave me my faith.

… Because you have protected me.

… Because you have tested me.

… Because you have trusted me with your life in my soul.

… Because you have surrounded me with love.

… Because you died for me.

… Give me deeds of love and not just words.

… Increase my love.

Let us pray
Lord God, give me the faith I need to know your will, the hope I need to accept your will, and the love I need to do your will, even when I don’t understand it, knowing that your way is better. I ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

https://excorde.org/2020/in-darkness-light-a-litany-of-faith-hope-and-love

In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV 2021