August 16
"We are able to arm ourselves against temptation through constant mortification in our work; in the way we live charity; in guarding our external and internal senses; through prayer; by fleeing the occasions of sin; and by having our time fully occupied in the fulfillment of our obligations."
~Francis Fernandez
For Reflection:
Spend a few minutes meditating on these "safeguards." Which one can I begin to implement today?
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August 15
"If we were not prepared to meet the temptations
that we are to undergo, we would open the door to a great enemy - discouragement and gloominess."
~Francis Fernandez
For Reflection:
Wow! Could it be that I my discouragement and gloominess comes from being ill-prepared to meet the temptations and challenges of life? How can I be better prepared? (Tomorrow's Grace Line will give you some ways.)
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August 14
"My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials."
~Sirach 2:1
For Reflection:
This passage from Scripture indicates that as I seek to fulfill God's will for me, I will encounter trials, and it encourages me to be prepared for them. One way in which we experience spiritual trial is through temptation. What are the temptations which most entice me now? Am I prepared to face them? (See tomorrow's Grace Line to see why preparation for temptation is so important.)
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August 13
"Let us not lament if we suffer from some natural defect of body or mind: from poor memory, slowness of understanding, little ability, lameness or general bad health. Who knows? Perhaps if God had given us greater talent, better health, a more personable appearance, we might have lost our souls!"
~St. Alphonsus Liguori
For Reflection:
God's ways are not our ways. That which we consider trial or inconvenience is often a route which leads to our salvation. What is one area of personal discouragement for me? How does this quote from St. Alphonsus Liguori give me a deeper insight into the movement of God in my life - especially in that one area of discouragement?
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August 12
"Take away self-will, and there will be no Hell."
~ St. Bernard
For Reflection:
How has my self-will created a Hell for me at various times in my life? Does this encourage me to surrender all to God's will?
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August 11
"Love consumes us only in the measure of our self-surrender."
~St. Therese of Lisieux
For Reflection:
What do I think is the relationship between the consuming love of God and self-surrender?
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August 10
"If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection."
~St. John of the Cross
For Reflection:
In this consumerist and self-centered culture, self-denial is out-of-step unless it helps to cause weight loss or physical fitness. Why is a "lean soul" and a "muscular spirit" necessary for spiritual perfection?
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August 9
"The more we conquer ourselves the more He gives us of His grace;
and if today we have had power to overcome one difficulty, tomorrow and the day after we shall be able to surmount others that are much greater
and more distressing."
~St. Vincent de Paul
For Reflection:
What one frailty or weakness do I wish to overcome to be more conformed to the will of God? According to St. Vincent de Paul, how will this help me in the future?
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August 8
"Christ does not force our will, He only takes
what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him."
~St. Teresa of Avila
For Reflection:
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "not at all," and 10 being "totally yielded," where am I with regard to giving everything to Christ? What one step am I willing to take today to move forward? (See tomorrow's Grace Line to
discover why it is important to yield to Christ
more and more each day.)
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August 7
"Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mould them accordingly."
~St. Ignatius Loyola
For Reflection:
Abandonment to God leads to conformity to His will. What do I need to abandon to Him at this point in my life - is it a situation; a grudge; a loved one; an unalterable predicament; an illness, sadness, contradiction, or suffering? What do I think God would accomplish in me if I were to abandon my situation to Him?
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