Blog Archives - Women of Grace

Go into the world and proclaim the good news

Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2021 by Johnnette Benkovic Williams

Johnnette Williams, Joanne Kane, and Isabelle Liberatore

May the peace and love of Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ be yours today and always!

Recently, I had the wonderful blessing to speak to a room filled with women for the St. Timothy Catholic Women's Retreat at the Bethany Center in Lutz, Florida. It was a joy to be back in our home diocese of St. Petersburg and to be reunited with so many beautiful, familiar faces and many new ones. This is one of our largest "live" events since Covid began. It was pure joy!!! If you were not in attendance, I wish you had been there with us!

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Have you embraced the battle?

Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2021 by Isabelle Liberatore

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” -Ephesians 6:10 - 13

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Gratitude towards this Divine Heart

Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2021 by Women of Grace Staff

June 9

"Would that I could exhaust myself in acts of thanksgiving and gratitude towards this Divine Heart, for the great favor He shows us, in deigning to accept our help to make Him known, loved and honored; He reserves infinite blessings for all those who devote themselves to this work.”

- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Today’s Reflection:

Knowing this beautiful testimony from St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, what prevents me from spreading the Gospel, the message of love, to all I see? How can I better prepare myself to do so?

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

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Do Christians Need Buddhist Meditation Techniques to Handle Stress?

Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2021 by Susan Brinkmann

(Wikicommons Images, Mari Smith CC BY 2.0)

FP writes: "A number of years ago a book was recommended to us by a physical therapist which I bought, but have been hesitant to read. It is titled, Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, published by Delta. The index presents mostly okay topics, but does have about 20 pp. favoring yoga . . . . Mentioned in the book are these persons’ names: Thich Nhat Hanh, Joan Borysenko, Phil Kapleu, amongst many others. The word mindfulness is mentioned many times. I’m just not sure about this book. Have you ever heard of it?"

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How the "Nones" Are Recycling Transcendentalism

Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2021 by Susan Brinkmann

Ralph Waldo Emerson, (1803-1882) Father of Transcendentalism

These days, many people think being “spiritual” rather than “religious” is the progressive way to be – but what most of them probably don’t know is that this trend is hardly new and has been around for centuries. It’s called transcendentalism.

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He afflicts us

Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2021 by Women of Grace Staff

June 8

“What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He caresses us, and to be cold immediately when He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart.”

-St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

For Reflection:

Ponder this quotation in light of the Holy Father’s definition of love as an act of total self-donation. Am I truly willing to love God and others in this way?

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

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Begin again with joy

Posted on Monday, June 07, 2021 by Women of Grace Staff

June 7

“Do not let the past disturb you. Leave everything in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and begin again with joy.

– St. Teresa of Calcutta

Today’s Reflection

Gather your regrets and your worries today and place them into the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Then begin again with joy!

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

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The Sacred Heart is the Holy Eucharist

Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2021 by Women of Grace Staff

June 6

“It is impossible to identify the Holy Eucharist too closely with Jesus Christ … the Holy Eucharist is the whole Christ with His human heart. According to St. Margaret Mary, the Sacred Heart is the Holy Eucharist. So it follows that devotion to the Sacred Heart is devotion to the Holy Eucharist. It is infinite Love Incarnate living in our midst in the Blessed Sacrament."

– Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ

Today’s Reflection

How does this quote inspire you in your commitment to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Can you spend additional time in adoration this month to honor His Sacred Heart?

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

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O Heart of Jesus

Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2021 by Women of Grace Staff

June 5

"I need a heart burning with tenderness

Who will be my support forever,

Who loves everything within me, even my weakness...

And who never leaves me day or night.

I could find no creature

Who could always love me and never die.

I must have a God who takes on my nature

And becomes my brother and is able to suffer!

You heard me, only Friend whom I love.

To ravish my heart, you became man.

You shed your blood, what a supreme mystery!

And you still love for me on the Altar.

If I cannot see the brilliance of your Face

Or hear your sweet voice,

O my God, I can live by your Grace,

I can rest on your Sacred Heart!

O Heart of Jesus, treasure of tenderness,

You Yourself are my happiness, my only hope.

You who knew how to charm my tender youth,

Stay near me till the last night.

Lord, to you alone I've given my life,

And all my desires are well known to you.

It's in your ever-infinite goodness

That I want to lose myself, O Heart of Jesus!"

– Excerpts from the poem "To the Sacred Heart of Jesus"

St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897)

Today’s Reflection

Don't St. Thérèse's words cause your heart to burn with love for Jesus and His Sacred Heart? Take time to slowly ponder this quote today and allow your soul to be inflamed with tenderness for your dearest friend, Jesus.

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