Last Friday, January 22nd, marked the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal in all 50 states.
During today's Women of Grace Rosary Crusade, we will intercede in a special way for life. We will be praying for those who have lost their lives and those who have been traumatized by abortion. Thank you in advance for praying with us.
As we enter a new era of leadership and an uncertain future, we may be asking ourselves, what can we do to support the cause of peace?
Here at Women of Grace, we continue to encourage you to put on the armor of God and pick up your spiritual weapon, the Rosary, every day. Time and again, Our Lady has come to the aid of God's people. She won't let us down now. But we must do our part.
Dear Rosary Crusaders welcome to 2021! We humbly ask you to pray for the mission of Women of Grace as plans come together for upcoming events, programs, studies, and other spiritual formation opportunities.
One of my favorite books for Lectio-Divina (see Week One of the Advent Study) is Divine Intimacy, by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (St. Edith Stein) wrote, "On the question of relation to our fellow men -- our neighbor's spiritual need transcends every commandment. Everything else we do is a means to an end. But love is an end already, since God is love."
These words express a great truth and they should be at the heart of every action we perform for another, especially as we seek to enter more deeply into the very heart of God given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
St. Augustine wrote, "Love has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. This is what love looks like."
As we discovered yesterday, for our good deeds to become charitable acts, we must center our hearts, our souls, our minds, and all of our strength on love of God. Then, and only then, will our good deeds effect a change that reaches beyond the finite to touch the eternal. And when we do that, every thought, word, deed, and suffering can become an act of charity -- even our daily labor.
"May the Lord make you overflow with love for one another and for all, even as our love does for you. May He strengthen your hearts...At the coming of our Lord Jesus..." -- Thes. 3:12-13
Toy collections, food drives, charity bazaars -- all common activities in communities and parishes during the Christmas season. And they are good. They help fulfill Jesus' mandate to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31).
While it is necessary for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for us to extend forgiveness, it is just as necessary that we seek forgiveness when we have offended another.
