Tag Archives: faith

Lenten Journey Through the Sorrows of Mary: The virtues of the Immaculata

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February 26
“Reclothe oneself, within and without, with the virtues of the Immaculata: the theological virtues and the cardinal virtues, the moral and the religious, so as to become as it were ‘another Mary living, speaking, and working.’”
-Father Stefano Manelli
For Reflection:
Reread Luke 2: 43-52. As you read, jot down the virtues you see in Mary or think would have been necessary for her in this suffering. In what ways do you think Mary lived these virtues prior to this dolor? Which of these virtues do you most need to emulate? How can practicing them now prepare you for potential trials the future may bring? Is there one you need to exhibit now? Ask Mary to procure the grace you need to do so.
  

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Lenten Journey Through the Sorrows of Mary: Refer everything to God

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February 25
“We must refer everything to God. It is the secret of being holy.”
-Father Frederick Faber
For Reflection:
This simple quote contains a deep and provocative message. Why do you think referring everything to God is the secret of being holy? How do we see Mary referring the pain of the third dolor of her heart to the will of God? How do you seek to live the reality of this quote? What current circumstance in your life is God asking you to refer to Him? Ponder it in your heart and journal your insights.
  

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Lenten Journey Through the Sorrows of Mary: Jesus in the Temple

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February 24
The Third Dolor: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
During the time of Jesus, it was the custom for faithful Jews to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover. Nazareth, the home of the Holy Family, was approximately 60 miles away but the hilly topography added another 26 miles to the trip. Pilgrimages consisted of two groups – one comprised of men and the other of women. Children could travel with either. That is why it was not until evening that Mary and Joseph discovered Jesus was missing.
For Reflection:
Read Luke 2: 43-52. Imagine the panic Mary and Joseph must have felt when they discovered Jesus was missing and how it mounted as they searched for Him for three days. How does Mary’s interaction with Jesus at verse 48 show her concern? What word does she use to describe it? C. S. Lewis says that “Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” How does this quote apply to Our Lady at this moment? How does she demonstrate faith in spite of lack of understanding?
  

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Lenten Journey Through the Sorrows of Mary: Living faith

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February 23
“Living faith is the firm conviction that God exists, the acceptance – as truth – of all that has been revealed by God, and a loving readiness to be led by the divine will.”
-St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
For Reflection:
Mary and Joseph had “living faith” according to this definition – even being led to Egypt at the direction of an angel in a dream. On a scale of 1 to 10, one being “no faith at all” and 10 being “living faith” per the above quote, where are you? Where do you want to be? What can you do today to move you one step forward?
  

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We become what we love

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February 2
“We become what we love. Who we love shapes what we become.”
-St. Clare of Assisi
Today’s Reflection
It’s February, the month of Valentine’s Day. What a lovely quote to ponder at this beautiful time of year. When I stop and think about who I love and what I love, what comes to mind? How is God calling me to love Him more and the material things of this world less?
  

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The future is in your hands

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February 1
“The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love.”
-St. John Paul the Great
Today’s Reflection:
 Wow! What a mission that God has entrusted to each of us – TO LOVE! In my own life, where is God calling me to love? And more specifically, who is God calling me to love at this very moment? Spend some time in prayer today thanking God for the love He has shown you, and ask Him to lead you in loving others in the same way.
  

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Put out into the deep

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January 31
“And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.'”
-Luke 5:4
Today’s Reflection:
St. John Paul II encouraged all Catholics to enter the hope-filled waters of the New Evangelization. Here are eight ways you can prepare yourself to share the Catholic Faith with others (PASS IT ON): Pray, accept the call, study, sacrifice, intercede, teach by example, organize your testimony, no excuses!
Prayerfully read each word and then plan a personal strategy to implement it in your daily life. Through the grace of God, we can work together to infuse the world with the Truth who is Jesus Christ.
  

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Let us forgive

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January 30
“Let us forgive and ask forgiveness!…The acceptance of God’s forgiveness leads to the commitment to forgive our brothers and sisters and to be reconciled with them.”
-St. John Paul II
Today’s Reflection:
What practical strategies can you implement to live a life of forgiveness
as encouraged by St. John Paul II?
  

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Deliver us again

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January 29
“On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.”
-2 Corinthians 1:10
Today’s Reflection:
God will intervene. He will come to our aid. He does have a plan. And His plan is devised for our welfare. This calls us reflect prayerfully on the challenges we are facing, the difficulties that are presenting themselves, the trials that are bearing down on us, and to ask this question: Where is God in this situation, and what is He saying to me? I know that He is involved — Scripture has told me that. So what are His will and His purpose in the midst of this event?
  

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Love your neighbor

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January 28
“The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
-Mark 12:28-31
Today’s Reflection:
The passage reveals an important truth to us about the virtue of charity: true love of neighbor flows from true love of God. Jesus tells the scribe that the first commandment is to love God with the entirety of our being. Then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. The love of God is a prerequisite for love of neighbor and for every charitable action.
Practicing the corporal works of mercy is a practical way to grow in the virtue of charity. Seek at least one way that you can do so this week.
(1) Feed the hungry.
(2) Give drink to the thirsty.
(3) Clothe the naked.
(4) Shelter the homeless.
(5) Visit those in prison.
(6) Comfort the sick.
(7) Bury the dead.
  

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