March 24
"Lent is like a long 'retreat' during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual 'combat' which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism." -- Pope Benedict XVI
Today's Reflection
How are you battling against temptation this Lent? What are your spiritual "arms?" How are you doing on your Lenten commitments. Today is the perfect day to assess, recommit and begin again.
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March 23
“God never tires of forgiving us;
we are the ones who tire of seeking His mercy.”
-Pope Francis
Today's Reflection
Do you hold onto unforgiveness toward yourself or others? Ponder this quote from Pope Francis. If there is an area for which you are lacking forgiveness, submit it to God's ocean of mercy and forgiveness.
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March 22
“When we accept our disappointment at our failures, God immediately
returns to us.”
-St. Therese of Lisieux
Today's Reflection
Lent is the time to be rid of that stubborn pride which does not wish to accept the fact that we might not be as perfect as we imagined. What imperfection are you ready to accept today?
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March 21
“The meek are those who know how to suffer their neighbor and themselves.”
-St. John of the Cross
Sayings of Light and Love, (16th Century)
Today's Reflection
Meekness is not weakness! This is the virtue that gives us strength to remain steadfast and self-possessed even in adversity which often comes in the form of our own – or our neighbor’s - annoying habits. Ask God for the grace to accept our own faults and those of others with meekness and charity.
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March 20
“The law detects, but grace alone conquers sin.”
-St. Augustine: Of Continence (5th Century)
Today's Reflection
Did you ask God for the grace to conquer your bad habits this Lent, or are you trying to do it all yourself? By relying on yourself, you block the grace God wants to give you. Replace your self-reliance with humility and allow yourself to receive God’s help.
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March 19
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind . . .”
-Romans 12:2
Today's Reflection
It’s much easier to become worldly than it is to become other-worldly. For the former, we need only to turn on the nightly news. For the latter, we need the grace of God. Pray today for the grace to reject worldly ideas and to see ourselves – and our world – as God sees it!
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March 18
"I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbors' defects--not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues."
-Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Today's Reflection
Are you tempted to judge the defects of your neighbor? Let us examine today how much we "bear all our neighbors' defects. How charity are our thoughts and action toward them? Resolve today to grow in love by reaching beyond your limits of giving.
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March 17
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like,
it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”
-St. Augustine: Sermons (5th Century)
Today's Reflection
Make this the day you pray, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” and bring to His healing heart all of those truths of the Gospel that you doubt or that seem too hard for you to follow.
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March 16
“You must remember to love people and use things,
rather than to love things and use people.”
- Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Today's Reflection
Lent is a good time to examine the heart and determine what – or who - is occupying the most place. Is it ourselves, our loved ones, our things? How much space does God occupy in your heart?
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March 15
“Fasting is a medicine.”
-St. John Chrysostom: Homilies (4th century)
Today's Reflection
Sin injures us in many ways, especially in our ability to love like Jesus. When we deny ourselves a pleasure out of repentance for sin, this action becomes like a healing balm upon our wounded heart and enables us to become a more loving person.
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