Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 10

March 10
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind . . .”
-Romans 12:2
Today’s Reflection
It’s much easier to become worldly than it is to become other-worldly. For the former, we need only to turn on the nightly news. For the latter, we need the grace of God. Pray today for the grace to reject worldly ideas and to see ourselves – and our world – as God sees it!

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 9

March 9
“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbors’ defects–not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”
-Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Today’s Reflection
Are you tempted to judge the defects of your neighbor? Let us examine today how much we “bear all our neighbors’ defects. How charity are our thoughts and action toward them? Resolve today to grow in love by reaching beyond your limits of giving.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 8

March 8
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like,
it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”
-St. Augustine: Sermons (5th Century)
Today’s Reflection
Make this the day you pray, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” and bring to His healing heart all of those truths of the Gospel that you doubt or that seem too hard for you to follow.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 7

March 7
“You must remember to love people and use things,
rather than to love things and use people.”
– Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Today’s Reflection
Lent is a good time to examine the heart and determine what – or who – is occupying the most place. Is it ourselves, our loved ones, our things? How much space does God occupy in your heart?

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 6

March 6
“Fasting is a medicine.”
-St. John Chrysostom: Homilies (4th century)
Today’s Reflection
Sin injures us in many ways, especially in our ability to love like Jesus. When we deny ourselves a pleasure out of repentance for sin, this action becomes like a healing balm upon our wounded heart and enables us to become a more loving person.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 5

March 5
“We do not become perfect by the multiplication of exercises, penances,
and austerities, but rather by the purity of love with which we do them.”
-St. Francis de Sales: Spiritual Conferences 13 (17th Century)
Today’s Reflection
When you give up something for Lent, why are you doing it? Out of habit, because it’s what is expected of you, or out of love for the God?

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 4

March 4
“The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of all.”
-Origen: De Principiis, 2. (3rd century)
Today’s Reflection
“Choice” is a buzzword that is often used to mask sin and make evil appear to be anything but what it is – evil. Lent is the time to tear away the masks, examine the choices we made in life, and repent of those that were wrong.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 3

March 3
“One cannot desire freedom from the cross when one is especially
chosen for the cross.”
-St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Today’s Reflection
If we are Christians, then we are chosen for the cross. What crosses are you running away from? Why? Bring this to prayer and ask Jesus to give you the courage to take up your cross and follow Him.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 2

March 2
“Nothing ever happens in the world that does not happen first inside human hearts.”
-Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Today’s Reflection
All of the ills of our time – from wars and terrorism to abortion and immoral lifestyles – begin in the same way – by allowing evil into the heart. Pray for the conversion of hearts today!

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: March 1

March 1
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”
-St. Catherine of Siena
Today’s Reflection
Life is like a long-distance race. It takes stamina and endurance to weather the many ups and downs that will come our way. Lent is the perfect time to assess how well we’re weathering the storms in our life. Are we trying to do too much on our own? Might we humble ourselves to ask for God’s help more often?

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