February 5
"Jesus does not say 'no' to the authentic demands of the heart, but only a clear, loud 'yes' to life, to love, to freedom, to peace and to hope. With Him no goal is impossible and even a small act of generosity grows and can lead to change."
-St. John Paul the Great
Today's Reflection
What are the demands of my heart? Are they demands that desire God's will alone, or are they demands that have grown from my own desires to serve myself?
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February 4
"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."
-St. Teresa of Calcutta
Today's Reflection
In my daily encounter with others, do I keep in mind the impact I can have on them? Do I strive to be an instrument for Christ's love? Do people leave after an encounter with me striving to be "better and happier"?
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February 3
"True love begins when nothing is looked for in return."
-St. Therese of Lisieux
Today's Reflection
In prayer today, ask God to show you where He is calling you to love more selflessly. How can you be more like Mary in loving others?
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February 2
"We become what we love. Who we love shapes what we become."
-St. Clare of Assisi
Today's Reflection
It's February, the month of Valentine's Day. What a lovely quote to ponder at this beautiful time of year. When I stop and think about who I love and what I love, what comes to mind? How is God calling me to love Him more and the material things of this world less?
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February 1
"The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love."
-St. John Paul the Great
Today's Reflection:
Wow! What a mission that God has entrusted to each of us- TO LOVE! In my own life, where is God calling me to love? And more specifically, who is God calling me to love at this very moment? Spend some time in prayer today thanking God for the love He has shown you, and ask Him to lead you in loving others in the same way.
Prayerfully read each word and then plan a personal strategy to implement it in your daily life. Through the grace of God, we can work together to infuse the world with the Truth who is Jesus Christ.
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January 31
"And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.'"
-Luke 5:4
Today's Reflection:
St. John Paul II encouraged all Catholics to enter the hope-filled waters of the New Evangelization. Here are eight ways you can prepare yourself to share the Catholic Faith with others (PASS IT ON): Pray, accept the call, study, sacrifice, intercede, teach by example, organize your testimony, no excuses!
Prayerfully read each word and then plan a personal strategy to implement it in your daily life. Through the grace of God, we can work together to infuse the world with the Truth who is Jesus Christ.
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January 30
"Let us forgive and ask forgiveness!...The acceptance of God's forgiveness leads to the commitment to forgive our brothers and sisters and to be reconciled with them."
-St. John Paul II
Today's Reflection:
What practical strategies can you implement to live a life of forgiveness
as encouraged by St. John Paul II?
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January 29
"On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again."
-2 Corinthians 1:10
Today's Reflection:
God will intervene. He will come to our aid. He does have a plan. And His plan is devised for our welfare. This calls us reflect prayerfully on the challenges we are facing, the difficulties that are presenting themselves, the trials that are bearing down on us, and to ask this question: Where is God in this situation, and what is He saying to me? I know that He is involved -- Scripture has told me that. So what are His will and His purpose in the midst of this event?
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January 28
"The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
-Mark 12:28-31
Today's Reflection:
The passage reveals an important truth to us about the virtue of charity: true love of neighbor flows from true love of God. Jesus tells the scribe that the first commandment is to love God with the entirety of our being. Then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. The love of God is a prerequisite for love of neighbor and for every charitable action.
Practicing the corporal works of mercy is a practical way to grow in the virtue of charity. Seek at least one way that you can do so this week.
(1) Feed the hungry.
(2) Give drink to the thirsty.
(3) Clothe the naked.
(4) Shelter the homeless.
(5) Visit those in prison.
(6) Comfort the sick.
(7) Bury the dead.
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January 27
"If one member suffers, all suffer together."
-1 Corinthians 12:26
Today's Reflection:
In the Mystical Body, we are one in Christ Jesus. Even when it is not consciously experienced, suffering -- the common denominator of the human condition -- unites us with an unbreakable bond. But suffering itself begs us to ask questions. Why do we suffer? Why does God permit suffering to exist? What is suffering's purpose? Ponder them during your time of prayer today.
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