July 14
"The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee. The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise Thee. The white-robed army of martyrs praise Thee.
All Thy saints and elect with one voice do acknowledge Thee,
O Blessed Trinity, one God!"
- Antiphon at Lauds from the Te Deum
Today's Reflection:
Am I looking toward the Heavens on this day, hoping to be there with the saints at the end of my earthly days or do I just keep my nose to the grindstone waiting for the last minute to prepare for my journey's end?
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July 13
“'We must not make purgatory into a flaming concentration camp on the brink of hell—or even a ‘hell for a short time.’ It is blasphemous to think of it as a place where a petty God exacts the last pound—or ounce—of flesh....' St. Catherine of Genoa, a mystic of the 15th century, wrote that the ‘fire’ of purgatory is God’s love ‘burning’ the soul so that, at last, the soul is wholly aflame. It is the pain of wanting to be made totally worthy of One who is seen as infinitely lovable, the pain of desire for union that is now absolutely assured, but not yet fully tasted."
-Leonard Foley, O.F.M.
Today's Reflection:
Oh, the longing and anxiety of when, Lord, when, will I be with you at long last? When will I be like fire tried gold – with all the dross finally purged from my soul? Am I preparing now so that I can have a happy death and a short time in purgatory at the most?
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July 12
"I have given everything to my Master: He will take care of me. The best thing for us is not what we consider best, but what the Lord wants for us."
- St. Josephine Bakhita
Today's Reflection:
Is there something that I am holding on to and which I am afraid to surrender? What is it? Can I trust God to do what is best? Now, in confidence, I will release this concern to Him.
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July 11
"Faith is a gift, but for very few is it a gift given without any demand for equal time devoted to its cultivation."
- Flannery O'Connor
Today's Reflection:
In what ways do I devote time to the cultivation of a mature Catholic faith?
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July 10
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen."
-St. Gertrude the Great
Today's Reflection:
This prayer was given to St. Gertrude by Jesus. He promised that every time it was said, 1,000 souls would be released from Purgatory and allowed into God's Presence. Am I willing to incorporate this prayer into my daily life? I will show my sincerity of heart by praying it again right now.
(Correction: The quote should have said 1,000 not 100,000)
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July 9
"Yes, in silence we can actually break the hold time has on us, and accept that our true home is not here on earth, but in eternity."
-Sister Wendy Beckett
Today's Reflection:
Spend fifteen minutes silently reflecting on the four last things - death, judgment, heaven, and hell.
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July 8
"Oh Jesus, I love you very much. Give me a heart as big as the universe. Tell me what You wish that I do, and do with me as You will."
-St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Today's Reflection:
St. Frances Cabrini's request of God shows that she had magnanimity. Magnanimity is a moral virtue closely related to fortitude. It means a person is noble of mind and heart; generous in forgiving; above revenge or resentment; unselfish and gracious.
It also means a person has no fear of reprisal when necessary nor any fear of honor when deserved for all comes by mercy of God. A magnanimous person is willing to take on great endeavors for the Kingdom of God.
When have I displayed this virtue?
Today, I will pray for more opportunities to exercise magnanimity.
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July 7
"When Christ came, he banished the devil from our hearts, in order to build in them a temple for himself. Let us, therefore, do what we can with his help, so that our evil deeds will not deface the temple."
- St. Caesarius of Arles
Today's Reflection:
What "stone" of virtue can I use today to help build a temple for Christ within myself? What one defaced "stone" can I work to remove?
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July 6
"We must keep near to the souls God puts in our way, and try to understand and love them. Here we have discovered, by God's grace, the sources of peace and the means of possessing it fully."
-Élisabeth Leseur
Today's Reflection:
Who is one soul near to me whom I can "try to understand and love"? How can I "reframe" my perspective to see this individual as an instrument of God meant to lead me to true peace and virtue?
(Hint: Perhaps a family member with whom we are called to exercise patience or a co-worker with whom we are called to exercise kindness and gentleness...)
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July 5
"Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man."
- St. Teresa of Avila
Today's Reflection
Make a list of the various ways we can "till" the ground of our mind so that it will bring forth abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God. What resolution am I willing to make in this regard?
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