"Let us not look too far or too high, but right in front of ourselves, right next to ourselves. The good to be done is perhaps there."
Elisabeth Leseur
For Reflection:
What "good to be done" today is right in front of me, right next to me? I commit to getting on with it.
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"Just as a woman's body is designed for mothering and nourishing, so a woman's soul and mind will be drawn to work demanding spiritual maternity, even if she never bears a child."
Anne Roche Muggeridge
For Reflection:
To what is my soul and mind drawn and how does it reflect my natural feminine instinct of spiritual maternity? To whom can I be spiritual mother today?
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Feast of St. Anthony, Abbot
(250 - 356)
"Indeed, he was so attentive when Scripture was read that nothing escaped him and because he retained all he heard, his memory served him in place of books."
St. Athanasius about St. Anthony
For Reflection:
How attentive am I when I hear Sacred Scripture being read? Could I pass a pop quiz on the passage as soon as it is read? How about 24 hours later? What one way can I seek to be more attentive?
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"Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ."
Ephesians 4:31- 32
For Reflection:
The first sentence in this passage from Scripture lists many of the spiritual "vermin" that plague our souls. The second sentence provides the spiritual "pesticide" to eradicate them. What one vermin do I need to get rid of and which spiritual remedy listed can I use?
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"My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words. I know it by experience."
St. Therese of Lisieux
For Reflection:
What makes prayer and sacrifice "invincible arms?" Whose heart have I been praying for? Am I willing to trust St. Therese's experience and enter into spiritual battle through prayer and sacrifice for him/her?
(Hint: See tomorrow's Graceline for one way this can be done.)
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"A living love hurts. Jesus, to prove His love for us, died on the Cross. The mother, to give to her child, has to suffer. If you really love one another properly, there must be sacrifice."
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
For Reflection:
Where is God asking me to sacrifice in love right now?
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Feast of St.Hilary,
Bishop and Doctor
(D. 367)
"I am well aware, almighty God and Father, that in my life I owe you a most particular duty. It is to make my every thought and word speak of you."
St. Hilary
For Reflection:
Do I, like St. Hilary, consider it a duty to make my every thought and word speak of God? Why or why not? How can practicing the virtues accomplish this in a practical way?
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"The Church of God needs saints today. This imposes a great responsibility on us. We must become holy, not because we want to feel holy, but because Christ must be able to live His life fully in us."
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
For Reflection:
How fully is Christ able to live His life in me?
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"Believe that He loves you, that He wants to help you in the struggles you have to undergo. Believe in His love, His exceeding love, as St. Paul says.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
For Reflection:
We often fail to recognize God's love because we don't look for it in the midst of our struggles or in the everyday circumstances we encounter. Thus, our belief that God loves us often turns to doubt. How did God manifest His love for me in at least one way yesterday? With this thought in mind, I will seek to recognize His love for me in at least three ways today. In my evening prayer, I will thank Him and I will close my eyes snuggled in His warm embrace.
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"Like Saint Teresa, with five pennies and God, I can accomplish many great things."
St. Frances Cabrini
For Reflection:
Sometimes I feel like I can accomplish nothing. Yet, St. Frances Cabrini says with God and five pennies much can be accomplished. What "five pennies" do I have that can accomplish much when given to God? (Hint: Consider your natural gifts and talents, pernsonality characteristics and attributes, virtues and strengths.) How can I implement at least one of them today?
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