In anticipation of tonight’s announcement about who will be nominated to fill a vacant Supreme Court seat, the U.S. Bishops have sent a letter to the U.S. Senate expressing strong objections to subjecting judicial nominees to a litmus test in support of Roe v. Wade, or to using a nominee’s faith as a proxy for their views on the country’s most controversial ruling.
Yearly Archives: 2018
Battle Cry
July 9
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.”
-1 John 2:16 (RSV)
More Women Opting for Life as Consecrated Virgins
In response to an uptick in the number of women requesting permission to dedicate themselves to God as consecrated virgins, the Vatican has issued revised guidelines on this ancient and sacred path known as the Ordo virginum (Order of virgins).
A Thorn in the Flesh
July 8
“That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
These words from scripture are some of my very favorite lines. And here’s why:
I often talk with others about their crosses and the sins they struggle with, including their root sins. Paul reminds us that just because we have a propensity to do something doesn’t mean we should. I think we often feel as if we are the only ones who struggle with sin; and for each of us, those sins are specific and usually point to an underlying root. Sins of pride, vanity, and sensuality can often vary, yet sometimes, they overlap.
Here, though, we are reminded that God may not take that disordered desire for sin away; BUT He will give us the grace to endure. In fact, He will never let anything tempt us without the perfect amount of grace to overcome. Indeed, if He doesn’t take it away, it isn’t because you should submit to that desire; it’s because He is calling you closer to Him and allowing you to see your wretchedness without Him. What does He want you to learn? How is He drawing you closer to Him through it?
Tonight, spend some time with God. Ask Him to remove all sin from your life (and go to Confession if you need to this week). If a desire remains that doesn’t point to Him, ask Him for the grace to overcome. He will provide. “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you.”
Infinite Goodness
July 8
“Nevertheless, He has willed that correspondence on the part of human beings is necessary, and has consequently placed in our nature the capacity for disposing ourselves towards receiving the supernatural action of grace. Through cultivating human virtues–resilience, loyalty, truthfulness, affection, courtesy–we prepare our soul in the best possible way for the action of the Holly Spirit.”
-In Conversation with God
by Francis Fernandez
On that Day
July 7
Today’s readings are FILLED with hope and promise.
In Amos, God promises abundance “on that day”. He declares that “the juice of grapes shall drip down the mountains, and all the hills shall run with it.” From Psalm 85, He exclaims that salvation is near and the land SHALL yield its increase… that He will give His benefits.
From the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the disciples of John that fasting will occur once He is taken; and that the importance of fasting is to be made new.
God calls us to abandon ourselves and trust in His goodness and mercy. His hope is there for the taking, but we must die to our old ways of doing things. God is PROMISING each of us an abundance- we must have hope, though, in His words.
If God is currently calling you to wait, how is He asking you to have hope in the fruit of due season? What promises has He made to you, and what grace do you need to hold onto those?
Lord, I am overjoyed at the promises of tomorrow! My heart is filled with hope in what lies ahead. Guide me as I am made anew, and overshadow me with your grace of endurance!
Amen!
Holiness
July 7
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
-Luke 1: 46-55 (RSV)
Follow Me
July 6
“Follow Me.” Two simple words with such strong meaning.
I remember once hearing the statement, “God doesn’t ask for our opinion. He asks for obedience.” It was something that stuck with me for a long time and mostly because obedience isn’t my strong suit. Today in the Gospel, Jesus tells Matthew to “follow” Him; He doesn’t suggest it, He doesn’t ask him what he thinks. Rather, He commands it.
During mass today, the priest was differentiating between those who acknowledge their sins yet refuse to change and those who proclaim their sins and indeed amend their lives.
On this feast day of St. Maria Goretti, let’s call to mind her diligence and desire to indeed follow God, even knowing it would cost her her life. What courage and faith to exhibit at such a young age.
God calls each of us to follow and obey Him, to die to ourselves and trust in His promises.
How is God calling you to obey and follow Him? What is holding you back?
The Precious Blood of Jesus: Balm of Love, Fountain of Mercy
“…one soldier thrust his lance into his [Jesus’] side, and immediately blood and water flowed out” (Jn 19:33)
Not Good: Boy Scout Leader Caught With Child Porn
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
A 74-year-old man who has served as a Boy Scout Troop leader for 40 years has confessed to having multiple devices full of pornographic pictures of children.
