January 9
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching,
but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own liking, and will turn away from listening
to the truth and wander into myths."
-2 Timothy 4:3-4
Today's Reflection:
In light of this passage, how should we evaluate what is presented to us from the vantage point of our Catholic Faith. Are you currently influenced negatively by things in your life that are contrary to our Faith? What are those things?
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January 8
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
-James 4:7
Today's Reflection:
Anytime we are serious about our relationship with God, we can be certain that Satan will try to dissuade us in every way possible. He will taunt us, tempt us, and try us in an effort to make us give up and give in. What are your biggest distractions? How is God calling you to remain faithful to your time of prayer?
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January 7
"The chief exercise of prayer is to speak to God and to hear God speak in the bottom of your heart."
-St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection
Prayer is a gateway to intimacy with our Creator and Lord. Through it, we find fellowship with Him. What effect does such an interaction have?
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January 6
"Prayer is not one occupation among many, but is at the center
of our life in Christ."
-St. John Paul II
For Reflection
Prayer is not optional; it is essential. How is God calling you to turn your prayer life into the breath of your existence?
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January 5
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
-Revelation 3:20
For Reflection
God will never trespass on our free will. Daily, God calls us to surrender to His plans and will. Today, He is calling you to give everything to Him.
What is He asking you to surrender?
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January 4
"Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons."
- Gen. 3:7
For Reflection
What effect did the sin of disobedience have on Adam and Eve? What ripple effect did that have on the whole of mankind? How does disobedience impact you in your day to day walk with God? What remedies can you employ today to grow in humility and obedience to God's will?
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January 3
"So God created man in His own image."
-Genesis 1:26
For Reflection
What does this passage tell us about ourselves and who we were created to be? What does it tell you about all of human life?
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January 2
"God is love."
-John 4:16
For Reflection
What is love? What are its characteristics? What is the true purpose of love? Where did you see love operating in your life in 2019? How will you love more in 2020?
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January 1
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
- John 3:16
For Reflection
Why would God do such a thing even as man often stubbornly opposes His divine will? As we enter this New Year, how can you more freely accept God's amazing gift to us, Jesus Christ? Ask Mary, Mother of God, to intercede for you to have greater receptivity to every grace and blessing that He desires to give you in this New Year and new decade.
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December 31
Eve of the Feast of Mary, Mother of God
Mother benign of our redeeming Lord,
Star of the sea and portal of the skies,
Unto thy fallen people help afford –
Fallen, but striving still anew to rise.
Thou who dids’t once, while wond’ring
worlds adored,
Bear thy Creator, Virgin then as now,
O by thy holy joy at Gabriel’s word,
Pity the sinners who before thee bow.
-Roman Breviary, Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin
For Reflection
Spend some quiet moments with Mary by reflecting on this antiphon. Journal your reflections.
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