March 28
“Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder
by which we may get to heaven.”
-St. Rose of Lima
Today’s Reflection
What crosses are you carrying? Give it to the Lord and thank Him because He has you on the path to heaven.
Tag Archives: Contemplation
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 22
March 27
“You don’t know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God,
and as soon as you have said, ‘Lord, I don’t know how to pray!’
you can be sure you’ve already begun.”
-Saint Josemaría Escrivá
Today’s Reflection
Lent is a great time to pick up the practice of Eucharistic adoration, where we can put ourselves in the Real Presence of Jesus. He desires us to spend time with Him. He expressed His disappointment when the disciples could not stay awake with Him and His words ring true for us, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?”
Will you spend an hour with Jesus this week as part of your Lenten offering?
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 21
March 26
“Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves…
What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is,
let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.”
-Catherine Doherty
Today’s Reflection
Lent is a time for deep reflection. Take time today to pray and ponder through Catherine Doherty’s questions above and journal your insights.
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 20
March 25
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
‘Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.’
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
‘Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.’
But Mary said to the angel,
‘How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?’
And the angel said to her in reply,
‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.’
Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.’
Then the angel departed from her.”
-Luke 1:26-38
Today’s Reflection
Lent is a time of humility. A time when we listen more closely for the voice of God. A time when we seek to live more completely His will in our lives. Our Blessed Mother has much to teach is in this regard. She is the perfect example of receptivity, trust, and surrender. Her “fiat” or “yes” was complete and eternal. Ponder today’s Gospel reading and ask Our Lady to show you the areas where you haven’t yet given your fiat. Beg the Holy Spirit for the grace to do so.
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 19
March 24
“Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.” — Pope Benedict XVI
Today’s Reflection
How are you battling against temptation this Lent? What are your spiritual “arms?” How are you doing on your Lenten commitments. Today is the perfect day to assess, recommit and begin again.
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 18
March 23
“God never tires of forgiving us;
we are the ones who tire of seeking His mercy.”
-Pope Francis
Today’s Reflection
Do you hold onto unforgiveness toward yourself or others? Ponder this quote from Pope Francis. If there is an area for which you are lacking forgiveness, submit it to God’s ocean of mercy and forgiveness.
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 17
March 22
“When we accept our disappointment at our failures, God immediately
returns to us.”
-St. Therese of Lisieux
Today’s Reflection
Lent is the time to be rid of that stubborn pride which does not wish to accept the fact that we might not be as perfect as we imagined. What imperfection are you ready to accept today?
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 16
March 21
“The meek are those who know how to suffer their neighbor and themselves.”
-St. John of the Cross
Sayings of Light and Love, (16th Century)
Today’s Reflection
Meekness is not weakness! This is the virtue that gives us strength to remain steadfast and self-possessed even in adversity which often comes in the form of our own – or our neighbor’s – annoying habits. Ask God for the grace to accept our own faults and those of others with meekness and charity.
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 15
March 20
“The law detects, but grace alone conquers sin.”
-St. Augustine: Of Continence (5th Century)
Today’s Reflection
Did you ask God for the grace to conquer your bad habits this Lent, or are you trying to do it all yourself? By relying on yourself, you block the grace God wants to give you. Replace your self-reliance with humility and allow yourself to receive God’s help.
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 14
March 19
“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!
