January 4
“So God created man in His own image.” -Genesis 1:26
Today’s Reflection:
What does this passage tell us about ourselves and who we were created to be? What does it tell you about all of human life?
January 4
“So God created man in His own image.” -Genesis 1:26
Today’s Reflection:
What does this passage tell us about ourselves and who we were created to be? What does it tell you about all of human life?
January 3
“God is love.” – John 4:16
Today’s Reflection:
What is love? What are its characteristics? What is the true purpose of love?
Reflection: “The birth of Christ brought a healing message of peace to the world, but to receive it, faith and humility are required: Who has time to listen to His word and to become enfolded and entranced by His love?” – Pope Benedict XVI
Challenge: Ask Our Lady to share with you her faith and humility that you might enter into the fullness of God’s peace and love as you continue your journey through the Christmas season. How can you bring this peace and love to others?
Reflection: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not
be consoled, since they were no more.” -1 John 2:2
Challenge: Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, a day when the blood of innocent children cries out and we remember them with reverence and love. It is also a day when that points to the obedience of St. Joseph who heeded the warning of the angel and took Mary and Jesus into Egypt to escape this massacre. Ponder these mysteries.
As we draw closer to the New Year, how is God asking you to be more obedient to His will? Where is He calling you to change? What one resolution will make the greatest impact in your relationship with Him?
Reflection: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” -John 3:16
Challenge: As you have journeyed with Mary through Advent into the Christmas season, ponder how God has worked in your life, drawing you closer to Himself through the joys and challenges of your time of preparation. Make note of the many ways you are grateful for the gift of faith and belief in Christ.
Reflection: “O Jesus, I ask only for peace — peace and, above all, love that is without measure or limits.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
Challenge: This reflection from St. Therese reminds us that “perfect love casts out fear.” Our Lady was the perfect example of perfect love. Ask her to show you where you need to love more? Who do you need to forgive so that you might experience fully the peace of Christ on Christmas day?
The countdown to the New Year is fast approaching. Will you be making resolutions?
For most of us, the answer is yes. If you are a regular reader of this blog then you know that last year, I wrote a blog using the acronym R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D to help us focus our resolutions on the things that really matter. The “L” in the acronym stood for “Listening” in which I encouraged the cultivation of a listening spirit so that we could hear the voice of God in our everyday circumstances. In addition to prayer of the Holy Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and Lectio Divina, one of my favorite ways to practice “listening” is spiritual reading.
I’ve compiled the list below which features some of my all time favorite books for spiritual reflection, prayer, meditation and direction. I hope that you will incorporate one or several of them into your Catholic library because I know that you too will see much fruit in your relationship with God as a result. They are in no particular order.