I have often been amazed at how God answers a particular question, responds to a petition, or gives me guidance on a specific issue through Sacred Scripture. The reality of this points to a great truth -- God is always seeking to reveal Himself and His will to us. In fact, one spiritual writer tells us that God already had us in mind when He inspired the evangelists in their writings. Consider this as you pray the Scriptures using Lectio-Divina.
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December 26
Day 25: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "Mankind is a great, an immense family...This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas."
- Pope John XXIII
Challenge: How can you love your family better during this Christmas season? How can you love better your extended family, the family of God as well?
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December 23
Day 22: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "Mother of mercy and of hope obtain for the men and women of the third millennium the precious gift of peace; peace in hearts and families, in communities and among peoples; peace above all for those Nations where people fight and die every day.
Obtain that every human being of every race and culture may encounter and accept Jesus, who came down to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give 'His' peace to us.
O Mary, Queen of Peace, give us Christ, the world's true Peace!"
- St. John Paul II
Challenge: Where do you need more peace in your life? Ask the Child Jesus to grant you the precious gift of His peace this Christmas.
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December 22
Day 21: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "With Christ joy is constantly born anew." - Pope Francis
Challenge: What can you do to today to prepare your heart more deeply to receive the joy of the Child Jesus on Christmas Day?
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December 21
Day 20: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "One filled with Joy preaches without preaching." -St. Teresa of Calcutta
Challenge: What is the underlying meaning of this quote? Do you believe that you are truly filled with joy based on your interactions and encounters with others? Do you "preach without preaching"? Today, ask our Lord to open your heart to a greater outpouring of joy, and await His lovely gift.
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December 20
Day 19: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "The soul of the one who serves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in the mood for singing." - St. John of the Cross
Challenge: Are you swimming in joy and rejoicing this week? If not, place it at the foot of the cross and give God any discouragement you are experiencing. Surely, He will transform it!
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December 19
Day 18: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23
Challenge: What fruits are you struggling with this Advent? How is our Lord calling you to grow deeper in these virtues? Ask Mother to storm heaven with prayers for you today!
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December 18
Day 17: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: “Rejoice and be glad that so great and good a Lord, on coming into the Virgin’s womb, willed to appear despised, needy, and poor in this world, so that men who were in dire poverty and suffering great need of heavenly food might be made rich in him.” -St. Clare of Assisi
Challenge: What poverty are you experiencing this Advent? How is our Lord asking you to trust Him with your suffering in order to allow Him to transform your pain into something rich and beautiful? Do you trust Him?
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December 17
Day 16: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "Joy is the true gift of Christmas, not the expensive gifts that call for time and money. We can communicate this joy simply: with a smile, a kind gesture, a little help, forgiveness. And the joy we give will certainly come back to us....Let us pray that this presence of the liberating joy of God shines forth in our lives." -Pope Benedict XVI
Challenge: Christmas day is a week from tomorrow! This week, let's prepare our hearts a little deeper to receive our Lord. Today, how can you "communicate this joy" a tad more? Who can you forgive? Who has God presented to you to help or offer some kindness? In so doing, thank Him for the opportunity to serve and love just a drop more!
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December 16
Day 15: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection: "Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:4-7
Challenge: Make your desires known to God today. And while you wait, rejoice in the moment. Trust Him with timing, and allow Him to fulfill all the desires of your heart!
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