by Kathleen Beckman
She, who at the start of the Redemption gave us her Son, now by her most powerful intercession obtained for the newborn Church the prodigious Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit of the Divine Redeemer who had already been given on the Cross. Pius XII, Mystici Corporis, 29 June 1943
“When they entered the city, they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:13 – 14).
May 31
“Reconcile men with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over the future of our race. Hold back the hand of man, who, in a moment of folly, might attempt to destroy human civilization…Women of the entire universe…you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.”
-Documents of Vatican II Closing Speeches, “To Women”
Today's Reflection
This mandate from the Pope Paul VI, in conjunction with the Council Fathers, issues to women a magnanimous call and mission – to save the peace of the world. This is your call and your mission in union with Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ, by virtue of the fact that God has given you life at this moment in the history of man. What is your response? Do you trust that He is giving you every grace and spiritual blessing you need? How have you seen yourself, through the course of this month, already living out this call? Thank Our Lady for her maternal beatitude and the grace she has advocated for you through these last 30 days.
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HM writes: "Is EMDR a New Age therapy? I’ve participated in it through my counseling for OCD. It was first presented to me by a Catholic therapist, a wonderful woman who explained that it is effective in people with PTSD and especially OCD because the light bar distracts the front part of the brain, enabling the long-term memory portion of the brain to tap into traumatic memories and reprocess them appropriately. It seemed scientific to me and actually helped calm down many ‘triggers’ for my OCD.
May 30
“How are Catholic women to accomplish their providential role as spiritual mothers (with Mary) of the human race?
• They are to know Jesus from daily intimacy with Him in prayer • They are to receive Jesus by often receiving Him into their hearts • They are to love Jesus, by spending themselves in serving the needs of Christ’s children as they have never done before… Love is proved by service. It is in spending ourselves for others that we mainly show our love for Our Lord…"
-Father John Hardon, S.J.
Today's Reflection
Reflect on the statement “Love is proved by service.” How is God asking you to show your love of Him through service (Consider the culture of the day as well as your personal circumstances.)? What one step of spiritual maternity can you take today? Perhaps right this very moment?
If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith. DONATE
JR asks: "Has Johnnette ever made any comment about Mr. Dougherty? I've read his book, Fast Lane to Heaven, and have read everything on his website. Nothing seems to be contrary to Church teaching, and he seems to be a very honorable man, but I'd like another opinion."
May 29
“How are Catholic women to accomplish their providential role as spiritual mothers (with Mary) of the human race?
• They are to know Jesus from daily intimacy with Him in prayer… • They are to receive Jesus by often receiving Him into their hearts... God has made the hearts of women naturally self-giving. But their womanly nature must be fortified on the Sacrament of Love to give them the heroic strength needed to mother the Church today.”
-Father John Hardon, S.J.
Today's Reflection
In what ways are you, a woman, naturally self-giving? Read Paragraphs 1391-1401 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Why are these fruits of the Holy Eucharist fortification for the work entrusted to us as women today? Of these fruits, which do you most need to develop and make use of? Why? Why do you think the work entrusted to today’s spiritual mothers requires heroic strength?
If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith. DONATE
JB: “Have you ever heard of a practice called Tongue Diagnosis? It’s a way of diagnosing problems with different organs in your body by looking at your tongue. Is this scientific and can Catholics use it?"
May 28
“How are Catholic women to accomplish their providential role as spiritual mothers (with Mary) of the human race?
They are to know Jesus from daily intimacy with Him in prayer,…Our Lady we may be sure always had Jesus on her mind.”
-Father John Hardon, S.J.
Today's Reflection
Look up the word “providential” in the dictionary. Consider this reality in light of your call to be a spiritual mother in our day and time? What about you would make it so? (Think of your gifts and talents, your background and experience, your hopes and dreams, your successes and failures.)
To what extent do you always have Jesus on your mind? Why do you think daily intimacy with Jesus through prayer is fundamental to live out your providential role as spiritual mother with Mary?
If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith. DONATE
In addition to being a beautiful feast day, the Visitation is one of the joyful mysteries of the rosary. It is celebrated in Catholic artwork, often depicting the scene in scripture where Our Blessed Mother, Mary, visits her cousin Elizabeth. Upon hearing Mary's greeting, the child in her womb leapt for joy and Elizabeth was overcome with gratitude that the mother of her Lord would come to visit her. One of our favorite depictions of this scene is the one above where both St. John the Baptist and Jesus are visible in the womb's of their mothers.
