Joy

Joy is not the same as pleasure or happiness. A wicked and evil man may have pleasure, while any ordinary mortal is capable of being happy. Pleasure generally comes from things, and always through the senses; happiness comes from humans through fellowship. Joy comes from loving God and neighbor. Pleasure is quick and violent, like a flash of lightning. Joy is steady and abiding, like a fixed star. Pleasure depends on external circumstances, such as money, food, travel, etc. Joy is independent of them, for it comes from a good conscience and love of God.

--Archbishop Fulton Sheen

The Light of Glory

Men seem to overlook the fact that difficulties which are real difficulties to us are no difficulties to God; and that what, in our present state, seems to be hard or even wholly impossible, will appear manifest, clear, and self-evident, so soon as faith gives place to actual vision, and our minds are flooded with the light of glory.

--Monsignor John S. Vaughan in Dangers of the Day 

Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

 St. Catherine, pray for us that we may be bold in testifying to our love of Jesus no matter what the cost — whether it be loss of material wealth or loss of our lives.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Cecilia

Saint Cecilia, pray for us.

Mind the present

It has been well said that no man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourselves so, my friends. If you find yourselves so loaded, at least remember this: it is your own doing, not God's. He begs you to leave the future to Him and mind the present. 

--George MacDonald

What God wills

Finally we should consider the events which are happening to us now and which will happen to us in the future, as coming from the hands of God. Everything we do should be directed to this one end: to do the will of God and to do it solely for the reason that God wills it... Let us will always and ever only what God wills; for so doing, He will press us to His heart.

--Saint Alphonsus de Liguori

Eternity

Eternity is without succession, a simultaneous possession of all joys. To those who live toward Eternity, it really is not something at the end; it is that which influences every moment of the now.

--Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen 

Fear not

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning.

--Saint John Henry Newman

To see the best

Love, it is said, is blind, but love is not blind. It is an extra eye, which shows us what is most worthy of regard. To see the best is to see most clearly, and it is the lover's privilege.

--J. M. Barrie

The miracle

This is the miracle that happens every time to those who really love: the more they give, the more they possess.

--Rainer Maria Rilke

Love over all

God will not conquer evil by crushing it under-foot-any god of man's idea could do that-but by conquest of heart over heart, of life over life, of life over death, of love over all.

--George MacDonald

Feast of All Saints

"Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him" (I Cor. 2:9)