The Net of Joy: Catching Souls in a Troubled World

 

Dear Reader,

Today, while searching for spiritual thoughts to meditate on, I found this quote from Mother Teresa:

"Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."

It reminded me of the passage in Matthew 4:18–19 (KJV):

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

I was also struck by a few related words that began to unfold in my reflection: Catch, Net, Souls, Which, and You.

At first, I didn’t see the connection. But with deeper thought—and some help from ChatGPT—these words came into focus and added depth to the message.

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Catch

Mother Teresa is expressing that the joy we express in our souls attracts others to us.

By our actions, others can glimpse the beauty of God or our Higher Power.

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Net

The way to embrace others is to reach out—with hands, with hugs, with kindness.

This action captures—not traps—but gently gathers others and allows them to see a new way of life.

This is spiritual attraction, not promotion.

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Souls

Both Mother Teresa and Christ teach that being joyful means embodying love.

"Joy of love" is expressed in fellowship, kindness, and acceptance—especially of the marginalized.

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Which

"Which" points to the means by which this all happens.

Joy is the method—the conduit—through which spiritual connection unfolds.

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You

"You" is the most personal part of the quote.

It reminds us this isn’t theoretical—it’s a call to action.

• You are the one being asked to live joyfully.

• You are the net.

• You have the ability to love in such a way that others feel it deeply.

• You are the instrument.

Joy doesn’t exist in abstraction—it’s something you embody, express, and extend.

As Jesus tells His disciples:
We are the "you" in "I will make you fishers of men."

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Cast Your Net Today

So, as you greet your day, do it as an extension of eternal joy.

Become a net of love
→ through which
→ you catch
→ souls.

Not through preaching or pressure—but through radiant, humble, Christlike joy.