Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 36

April 10
“Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.”
-Pope Francis
Today’s Reflection
What have your Lenten sacrifices cost you thus far? Could you do more? As we enter into Holy Week, prayerfully consider Pope Francis’s reflection and ask Our Lord how you can make the best of the remainder of Lent.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 34

April 8

“Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God’s sake,
can pass without merit in the sight of God.”

-Thomas a Kempis

 

Today’s Reflection

We are not all called to do great things, but we can all do small things with great love. This is wisdom that is part of our heritage from St. Teresa of Calcutta. Today, when those small annoyances inevitably occur, remember that you can suffer them with love for God and perhaps your little cross can be of great merit for the redemption of mankind.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 32

April 6

“Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love?”

-Ven. Fulton Sheen

 

Today’s Reflection

These words of Fulton Sheen cut to the quick. How much do we really give for the Lord? Are we just scratching the surface of where He wants us to be? Take time to ponder how you can step deeper into charity and love.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 31

April 5

“It is better not to fast and be thereby humbled, than to fast and
to be self-satisfied therewith.”

-Pascal: Pensees (17th century)

 

Today’s Reflection

We must always be on the lookout for wrong intentions. They can creep into everything we do, even spiritual exercises. Take a moment today to renew your intentions for this Lent and remember to do so from time to time throughout this holy season.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 30

April 4
“Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself.”
St. Francis de Sales
Today’s Reflection
Perhaps your Lent hasn’t gone so well. Maybe you’ve really slacked off on your commitments to the Lord. Today is a great day to be patient with yourself and begin again. Every day is a new day to begin again.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 29

 

April 3

“Are you capable of risking your life for someone? Do it for Christ.”

– St. John Paul II

 

Today’s Reflection

There are occassions when in prayer, we are filled with zeal, and a willingness to risk everything for the Lord. But most of the time “risking your life for someone” is the small act of laying down your pride, your way of doing things, your ideas, your opinions. It means being humble and obedient to the will of God. Risk your life for Christ today in the big and small ways in which He leads you.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 28

 

April 2
“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running,
to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.”
-St. Francis de Sales
Today’s Reflection
Love is not a feeling but a choice. Often, the choice requires a great interior struggle, when the warm, fuzzy, loving feeling is not there. Think of that one person who you find most difficult to love today and make an act of the will to love them.

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Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 27

April 1
“As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.”
– St. Teresa of Calcutta
Today’s Reflection
How is Jesus thirsting for your love? Is it time with Him? Is He calling you to forgive? Does He want you to love someone you find to be a challenge to love? Spend some quiet time today asking the Lord how you can quench His thirst.

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