“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love with kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8
For Reflection:
Today, will follow these words in specific ways. What can I do to show justice, to love with kindness, and to walk humbly with God? Dear Lord, Please present me with opportunities to follow through on my resolution to do so today.
“Let us strive to do penance in this life. How sweet will be the death of those who have done penance for all their sins and need not go to purgatory!”
St. Teresa of Avila
For Reflection:
What is my attitude toward penance, reparation, and fasting? Does my life, choices, and decisions reflect an attitude of remorse, sorrow, and contrition?
“Fast from bitterness – feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern – feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety – feast on eternal truth.
Fast from anger – feast on patience.
Fast from words that destroy – feast on words that build up.
Fast from discontent – feast on gratitude.
Fast from discouragement – feast on hope.”
Susan Tassone
For Reflection:
What “fast” should I engage? What are three practical ways I can employ its antidote today?
At Judgment:
“The soul sees what God intended it to be. And the soul sees what obstacles it erected – its selfishness, its cowardice, its shallow satisfactions, its perversions of God’s graces and His gifts. All this came between God and the soul in life.”
Susan Tassone
For Reflection:
What will I see at the moment of my particular judgment? Will I see that I have created obstacles between my soul and God? What might they be? I pray for the grace to dismantle these obstacles in this life so I will not take them with me to eternal life.
(See tomorrow’s Grace Line for some helpful hints on how to do this.)
“The soul’s true life and repose are to abide in God.”
St. Albert the Great
For Reflection:
Ultimately, our hearts were made for God so that we might spend all eternity with Him in heaven. How do I evaluate myself in light of this truth? Is Heaven my true “north star?” What about my actions say so? What about my actions say not? Am I willing to make necessary adjustments beginning today?
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”
Matthew 7:2- 3
For Reflection:
In the particular judgment, I will be judged in the same way I pass judgment on others? What do I think is the difference between “judging” in the scriptural sense and making healthy conclusions based on the behavior and example of others?
“I assure you, on judgment day people will be held accountable for every unguarded word they speak.”
Matthew 12:36
For Reflection:
Ouch! How many unguarded or idle words have I spoken in my life? How many did I speak yesterday? How many have I spoken already today? Lord, put a sentinel at my mouth and a guard around my lips that I may hold my tongue when it ought to be held. Amen.
“If on the last day we would receive a merciful judgment, we must begin here below to be merciful to others.”
Bishop Fulton Sheen
For Reflection:
Do I show mercy to others? In what ways? Is there someone who needs to experience my mercy or forgiveness at this moment in my life? Who? How willing am I to extend it now? Will I? Why or why not?
“God wants that everyone be saved; no one is predestined to go to hell; Jesus died for everyone; and everyone is given sufficient grace for salvation.”
Gabriele Amorth
For Reflection:
How reassuring are these words! God desires my salvation, has sent His Son so it can be acquired, and is giving me the graces I need to attain it! What grace for salvation is He offering me today?
(Hint: What prompting of the Holy Spirit am I experiencing – the need for confession, a way to help a friend or loved one, an act of charity or almsgiving, etc.)
“At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.”
St. John of the Cross
For Reflection:
How much do I love God? What about my life reflects the reality of my love? Where does selfishness hold me bound? Lack of forgiveness? Personal sin?
