February 16
"The moral and spiritual strength of a woman is joined to her awareness that God entrusts the human being to her in a special way. Of course, God entrusts every human being to each and every other human being. But this entrusting concerns women in a special way - precisely by reason of their femininity - and this in a particular way determines their vocation."
-Mulieris Dignatatem, no. 30
Today's Reflection:
God entrusts life into the heart of woman. Some are called to bear physical life but all are called to bare spiritual life. In either case, God entrusts life into our maternal care, whether you are single or married. Who is God calling you to "mother" today?
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February 15
"We must also remember the great number of single persons who, because of the particular circumstances in which they have to live - often not of their choosing - are especially close to Jesus' heart and therefore deserve the special affection and active solicitude of the Church, especially of pastors. Many remain without a human family often due to conditions of poverty. Some live their situation in the spirit of the Beatitudes, serving God and neighbor in exemplary fashion. The doors of homes, the 'domestic churches,' and of the great family which is the Church must be open to all of them."
-Catechism of the Catholic Church 1658
Today's Reflection:
We're all called to vocation. For anyone who is single but feels called to marriage, joy and fulfillment can be found during the time of waiting in family, friends, work, apostolate and participation in the redemptive action of the Church. The Church as the family of God embraces our single brothers and sisters and encourages self discovery, healing and a deeper understanding of authentic love.
Are you single? How can you live the "spirit of the Beatitudes" in your journey? Are you married? What can you do to embrace a single person into your "domestic church?"
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February 14
"God created us to live in loving union with Him for all eternity."
Today's Reflection:
What more could one ask for on the day we celebrate St. Valentine than to know that God desires spousal union with us for all eternity? If there is a longing or expectation that hasn't been met today, rest in the knowledge that you are completely and utterly loved by God.
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February 13
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."
-1 John 4:7
Today's Reflection:
God is the source of love and you can't give what you don't have. Allow God to love you today. Spend time in His loving gaze.
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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 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 4
"So God created man in His own image." -Genesis 1:26
Today's 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 3
"God is love." - John 4:16
Today's Reflection:
What is love? What are its characteristics? What is the true purpose of love?
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January 2
"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
Today's 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?
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