“A man who is well disposed toward and loves those who revile and abuse him and cause him harm, and who prays for them, in a short time attains to great achievements.
St. Simeon the New Theologian
For Reflection:
In this quote, St. Simeon gives us insight into two steps in the process of forgiveness. What are they? How can I implement them toward one who has caused me harm or hurt me in some other way?
(See tomorrow’s Grace Line for some more help in the process.)
As you know, Women of Grace is consecrated to Our Lord Jesus Christ through the beatitude of the Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Following is the prayer we used on October 3, 2003 at our first national conference held in Doylestown, PA at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa:
Lord Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer of all mankind; Incarnate Wisdom,
At the hour of Your death, You gave to us the Blessed Virgin Mary and willed her to be the Mother of the Church, the mother of us all.
Before this blessed Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which signifies her presence among us, I do formally consecrate Women of Grace its mission, and its outreach to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
I humbly request the fruit of this consecration be conversion, healing, reconciliation and salvation. I further petition Our Lady of Guadalupe to instill in the hearts of her daughters an ever deepening understanding and appreciation of the feminine genius, and I ask that through her motherly influence and maternal intercession Our Lady of Guadalupe would lead her daughters to the Sacred Heart of her Son, Jesus Christ.
Hear my prayer, Lord Jesus, through the powerful love of the Immaculate heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I make this consecration with thanksgiving and trust, and for the spiritual welfare of women everywhere, especially those who are Women of Grace.
May this consecration deepen the virtues of faith, hope and charity. May it bring an awesome reverence for the gift of life, physical and spiritual life, and for Your Real Presnece enthroned in the Eucharist. May it help us bear witness to the Gospel and live the teachings of the Catholic Church.
And finally, may this consecration help to bring us all to the joy of Your kingdom where You live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit; one God forever and ever. Amen.
(For more information on Our Lady of Guadalupe, click on her image in the slide show presentation on our website.)
Edward Sri S.T.D., a frequent guest on Women of Grace, seen on EWTN (Weekdays 11 AM and 11:30 PM), was a recent guest on Fox News talking about the new translation of the Mass.
You can watch the interview at http://video.foxnews.com/v/1318869351001/has-it-been-mass-confusion-at-catholic-churches/.
We also invite you to view the programs we produced on this topic with Dr. Sri at WOG Exclusive. Go to www.womenofgrace.com.
An article published in a respected medical journal is suggesting that because certain cancer rates are higher among American nuns than women who experience pregnancy, the Church should allow them to take birth control pills which would make them somewhat less likely to develop these cancers.
Dozens of House legislators from both sides of the aisle signed onto a letter asking President Barack Obama to intercede on behalf of persecuted Iraqi Christians during his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki today.
Just before lighting the largest Christmas tree in the world, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his three wishes for Christmas, all of which can only come true if we take our Holy Father’s advice!
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to stay away from “homeopathic” human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight loss products that are sold in the form of oral drops, pellets and sprays. They can be purchased online or in retail stores.
“I’ve heard people say that forgiveness is for wimps. Well, I say then that they must never have tried it. Forgiveness is hard work. It demands diligent, self- discipline, constant corralling of our basest instincts, custody of the tongue, and a steadfast refusal not to get caught up in the mean-spiritedness of our times.”
Marietta Jaegger- Lane
Mother of a murdered child
For Reflection:
Am I willing, with the grace of God, to enter into the hard work of forgiveness? Of the necessary demands Marietta outlines, which one do I most need to acquire? I will start to ask God to supply my need this minute and make this my prayer request until I begin to manifest it in my life.
(See tomorrow’s Grace Line for a help along the way.)
“Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
Ephesians 4:26
For Reflection:
Scientific research proves the wisdom of this passage. The psychological effects of lack of forgiveness and pent-up anger causes real physical problems. To what extent have I seen or experienced this reality? What positive steps can I take today to rid myself of this anger?
(See tomorrow’s Grace Line for insight).
“Hate the sin. Love the sinner.”
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
Such simple words, but words so hard to live! Why is it difficult to separate the sin from the sinner? What virtue will most help me to accomplish this goal?
