June 17
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according
to Thy word."
-Luke 1:38
Today’s Reflection:
What does it mean to be a handmaid of the Lord? How, like Mary, can you more closely co-operate in God's redemptive plan for the world?
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June 16
"Women, you do know how to make truth sweet, tender and accessible, make it your task to bring the spirit of this council into institutions, schools, homes and daily life. Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
Do you believe Church fathers when they say "it is for you to save the peace of the world?" What is one practical daily strategy you can employ help the world to be more peaceful?
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June 15
"Lastly, women in trial, who stand upright at the foot of the cross like Mary, you who so often in history have given to men the strength to battle unto the very end and to give witness to the point of martyrdom, aid them now still once more to retain courage in their great undertakings, while at the same time maintaining patience and an esteem for humble beginnings....."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
Do you know someone who is "at the foot of the cross?" What is one way that you can help them to battle to the end?
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June 14
"And you, women living alone, realize what you can accomplish through your dedicated vocation. Society is appealing to you on all sides. Not even families can live without the help of those who have no families. Especially you, consecrated virgins, in a world where egoism and the search for pleasure would become law, be the guardians of purity, unselfishness and piety. Jesus who has given to conjugal love all its plenitudes, has also exalted the renouncement of human love when this is for the sake of divine love and for the service of all..."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
Single women, consecrated virgins, and nuns play a special role in the Church. Reach out today and let a sacred sister know how much you care for
and appreciate her and her contribution to your friendship, family
and/or to the Church.
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June 13
"Wives, mothers of families, the first educators of the human race in the intimacy of the family circle, pass on to your sons and your daughters the traditions of your fathers at the same time that you prepare them for an unsearchable future. Always remember that by her children a mother belongs to that future which perhaps she will not see..."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
How are you passing on the "traditions of your fathers" and preparing your family for an "unsearchable future?"
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June 12
"You women have always had as your lot the protection of the home, the love of beginnings and an understanding of cradles. You are present in the mystery of a life beginning. You offer consolation in the departure of death. Our technology runs the risk of becoming inhuman. Reconcile men with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over the future of our race. Hold back the hand of man who, in a moment of folly, might attempt to destroy human civilization."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
What does it mean to "reconcile men with life?" How are you doing in this regard?
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June 11
"And now it is to you that we address ourselves, women of all states—girls, wives, mothers and widows, to you also, consecrated virgins and women living alone—you constitute half of the immense human family. As you know, the Church is proud to have glorified and liberated woman, and in the course of the centuries, in diversity of characters, to have brought into relief her basic equality with man. But the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is under-going so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
What does this excerpt from the Vatican II letter "To Women" tell you about the Catholic Church's teaching on the equality of woman?
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June 10
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
"In a wholly singular way she [Mary] cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the work of the Savior in restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is mother to us in the order of grace."
-Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium
Today’s Reflection:
Today we ponder and celebrate Mary's special role as mother of the Church. How does her example inspire you to God's invitation to carry Christ in the womb of your heart?
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June 9
"Holy Spirit, come into my heart. Bring new life to the ancient prayers I learned as a child, and inspire me to voice my innermost thoughts to the God who knows them all. Amen."
-Johnnette Benkovic Williams
Today’s Reflection:
Ponder how God responds to your desire for deeper intimacy with Him. Receive every spiritual blessing in the heavens this day.
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June 8
"Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to [
n]God, even the Father..."
-Ephesians 5:18-20
Today’s Reflection:
How can we make each day of our lives a symphony of prayer, a melody of love which rises to the throne of the God the Father in praise and worship?
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