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.

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.

January 13

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit...and the door that gives access to the other sacraments." -Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213

Today's Reflection:

In what specific ways can you live the grace of your Baptism?

January 12

"We need heralds of the Gospel who are experts in humanity, who know the depths of the heart of many today, who share in his hopes and joys, his worries and his sadness, and at the same time are contemplatives, in love with God. For this, new saints are needed." -St. John Paul II

Today's Reflection: God has given us life at this time to be the "new saints" and the "new evangelizers" who will proclaim His love to the world.

How is God calling you to fulfill this very mission in your own life?

January 11

"In the long run, is there any other way of handing on the Gospel than by transmitting to another person one's personal experience of faith?"

-Evangelii Nuntiandi 46

Today's Reflection:

Personal testimony remains the most effective means of evangelization. Through it we inform, instruct, and insure others with the truths of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

What does your personal testimony say? Are you ready to share it this week?