Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 6

March 11

“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!

 

Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 4

March 9
“To do penance is to bewail the evil we have done, and to do no evil to bewail.”
-Pope St. Gregory I: Homilies on the Gospels (6th century)
Today’s Reflection
It’s tough to admit that we’ve sinned, but admission and confession is the only path to healing and new hope. Take time to ponder the areas of your life in which you have sinned, or fallen short. Make the sacrament of reconciliation a priority during the Lenten season.

 

Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 3

March 8
“Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we
may get to heaven.”
-St. Rose of Lima
Today’s Reflection
Accepting the crosses in our lives isn’t easy, but when done so for love of Our Lord, they become remarkably easier to carry. What crosses are you trying to carry alone? Give them to Jesus and let Him lighten the load!

Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 2

March 7
“There are ways of being crucified that do not involve rough wood or heavy nails, but a love beyond our capacity to love, which means a love that has been given to us by God…”
-Servant of God Catherine Doherty
Today’s Reflection
Only with God’s grace can we truly understand that real love knows how to suffer for the beloved, and it does so joyfully. Where might you suffer more cheerfully for others?

 

Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 1

March 6

“Ash Wednesday is considered the ‘door’ to Lent.”
-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

 

Today’s Reflection

Today is the beginning of a 40-day campaign dedicated to ridding ourselves of vice and filling ourselves with virtue. Bring your plans for this Lenten season to the feet of the Crucified and ask for His blessing as you begin this sacred journey.

 

Talk with God

March 4

“We need to be thoroughly convinced of the fact that all God asks of us, in
this conversation, is good will. A soul pestered by distractions, who patiently
comes back each day, like a good child, to talk with God, is making first-rate
mental prayer. God supplies all our deficiencies.”

Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, OCSO
Soul of the Apostolate

 

Today’s Reflection

Are you a “soul pestered by distractions?” Make a resolution this Lent to set aside a specific time for prayer every day and be faithful to this time no matter what. Let God supply for all your deficiencies and persist.

Read the rest…

Are you listening?

March 3
“Prayer’s worth and progress depend not so much on growth in quantity
as on increase in quality”
-Fr. Segundo Galilea
Temptation and Discernment
Today’s Reflection
Do you do most of the talking in prayer? How much of your prayer time is spent listening to God or to simply sitting in silence and enjoying His company? Five minutes of quiet listening can greatly improve the quality of your prayer!

Read the rest…

Jesus, be with me

March 2

“Jesus, be with me.”

-Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection

 

Today’s Reflection

Sometimes a prayer as simple as this can be enough to remind ourselves that God is dwelling within us and is eager to share all the moments of our lives with us – even the most mundane! Invoke His name often and let Him bless every moment of your day!

Read the rest…

The Kingdom of God is within you

March 1

“The Kingdom of God is within you”
-Luke 17:21
Today’s Reflection
Jesus told us that His Kingdom is within us, but how seriously do we take this truth? How often do you “check in” with the God who is dwelling within you each day? How aware are you of His presence? Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken you to the reality of this glorious truth!

Read the rest…

Prayer transforms

February 28

“Advancing communion with God does not happen in isolation
from the rest of life.”

-Fr. Thomas Dubay, Fire Within

 

Today’s Reflection

Prayer is not meant to be a pious exercise that occupies a few minutes of our time every day. It is meant to be deeply and personally transforming. How is your prayer life impacting the rest of your life? Are you growing in humility, patience, temperance, love of neighbor?

Read the rest…