Close to Jesus’ heart

February 15
“We must also remember the great number of single persons who, because of the particular circumstances in which they have to live – often not of their choosing – are especially close to Jesus’ heart and therefore deserve the special affection and active solicitude of the Church, especially of pastors. Many remain without a human family often due to conditions of poverty. Some live their situation in the spirit of the Beatitudes, serving God and neighbor in exemplary fashion. The doors of homes, the ‘domestic churches,’ and of the great family which is the Church must be open to all of them.”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church 1658
Today’s Reflection:
 
We’re all called to vocation. For anyone who is single but feels called to marriage, joy and fulfillment can be found during the time of waiting in family, friends, work, apostolate and participation in the redemptive action of the Church. The Church as the family of God embraces our single brothers and sisters and encourages self discovery, healing and a deeper understanding of authentic love.
Are you single? How can you live the “spirit of the Beatitudes” in your journey? Are you married? What can you do to embrace a single person into your “domestic church?”

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In loving union

February 14

“God created us to live in loving union with Him for all eternity.”

 

Today’s Reflection:

What more could one ask for on the day we celebrate St. Valentine than to know that God desires spousal union with us for all eternity? If there is a longing or expectation that hasn’t been met today, rest in the knowledge that you are completely and utterly loved by God.

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God is love

February 13
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
-1 John 4:7
Today’s Reflection:
God is the source of love and you can’t give what you don’t have. Allow God to love you today. Spend time in His loving gaze.

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Share with those in need

February 12

“He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

-Luke 3:11

 

Today’s Reflection:

40 bags in 40 days is a popular exercise of getting rid of clutter during the Lenten season. But what about letting go of things that we want but really don’t need? What one thing can you do to live with less than you want today? Make a point to share with someone in need.

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Sown among thorns

February 11

“And others are the ones sown among thorns; they are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

-Mark 4: 18-19

 

Today’s Reflection:

Do the cares of the world, delight in riches, or concern for things choke out the word of God and its fruitfulness in your life? What one thing can you release to the Lord today to be more receptive to the word?

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Where is your treasure?

February 10

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

-Matthew 6:19-21

 

Today’s Reflection:

Where does your treasure lie? Take time to ponder the lasting gifts that the Lord has bestowed upon you and thank and bless Him on this beautiful Sunday.

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The kingdom of heaven

February 9
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
-Matthew 13:47-50
Today’s Reflection:
What does this passage say to us about the value God places on order?

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Are you content?

February 8
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
1 Timothy 6:6
Today’s Reflection:
Are you content or are you always longing for more? The longing we feel can only be satisfied by the One who created us and in the eternal home for which we are destined. Spend a few moments today submitting your longing to God and ask Him to satisfy the ache in your heart.

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A human person

February 7

“A human person…as we know, cannot be an object for use.”

– Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II)

 

Today’s Reflection:

Are there times when our focus on material possessions diverts our energy away from the people God has placed in our lives? Seek to find one way to focus less on things and more on people today.

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You will have treasure in heaven

February 6
“And as [Jesus] was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’…And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.”
– Mark 10:17, 21-22
Today’s Reflection:
Everything we own belongs to God. How do we cultivate a spirit of detachment in our lives and in our families?

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