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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January 26
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."
-2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Today's Reflection:
How can your personal testimony be a beacon of hope and a light of faith illuminating the way to forgiveness through Christlike love and compassion?
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January 25
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
-Galatians 2:20
Today's Reflection:
Today we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul. His powerful experience of Jesus Christ turned him from a persecutor of Christians to one of the greatest evangelizers of Christianity. Like him, we are called to meet Christ and grow in union with Him. How can you meet Him today? In what ways can you allow Him to live more powerfully in you?
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January 24
"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
Today's Reflection:
Prayer is the gateway to friendship and intimacy with God. Do you have a regular and consistent time of prayer? Are there ways you can improve your prayer time? What one step will you take today?
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January 23
"[She] kept all these things in her heart."
-Luke 2:51
Today's Reflection:
Prayer is the answer. Prayer is what the Blessed Virgin Mary did when she faced the contradictions of her life as Mother of the Messiah. It was in her heart that Our Lady found the grace and consolation she needed. In our barren times, how do we need to pray more, not less?
Dearest Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!
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January 22
"True charity consists in putting up with one's neighbor's faults, never being surprised by his weakness, and being inspired by the least of his virtues."
-St. Therese of Lisieux
Today's Reflection:
Can we love our neighbor as we love ourselves even when he is irksome, irritable, annoying, or just plain grumpy? How do we show the true face of God's love despite the battle raging within us.
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January 21
"No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
-1 Corinthians 10:13
Today's Reflection:
Our faith, our confidence, and our hope must be placed in God. How, then, do we apply this in the face of challenges?
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January 20
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
-John 10:10
Today's Reflection:
Lack of forgiveness blocks the grace of God in our lives. It brings death--spiritually, emotionally, and often, physically. Examine your life. Where do you need to forgive? Pray for the grace to do so.
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January 19
"Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
-James 5:7-8
Today's Reflection:
To evangelize effectively, we must be patient. When we look around us to our family and friends, do we impose our Faith on them? Or do we, instead, propose it through our testimony and the example of our life? How beautiful it is to patiently sow the seeds of truth in the hearts of others, water the seeds with prayer and friendship, and wait for the seeds to take root. This process can take time, but we must be willing to invest the time, confident that the Lord's work will be accomplished in the end.
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January 18
"Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law."
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2271
Today's Reflection:
Human life is sacred. How do we allow this Church teaching to move us forward with faith and confidence in the public square to proclaim this truth?
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