Abandon yourself unreservedly

Posted on by

August 7
“Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mould them accordingly.”
~St. Ignatius Loyola
For Reflection:
Abandonment to God leads to conformity to His will. What do I need to abandon to Him at this point in my life – is it a situation; a grudge; a loved one; an unalterable predicament; an illness, sadness, contradiction, or suffering? What do I think God would accomplish in me if I were to abandon my situation to Him?

 

If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith.
DONATE

Read the rest…

Whatever God wills

Posted on by

August 6
“Therefore with mind entire, faith firm, courage undaunted, love thorough, let us be ready for whatever God wills.”
~Bede the Venerable
For Reflection:
Bede the Venerable lists four virtues needed to ready us for the permissive will of God. What are they? What do they mean? How can I begin to strengthen them in my soul today?

 

If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith.
DONATE

Read the rest…

Facing the Mountain

Posted on by

I will never forget the word my prayer partner, Judy, spoke to me just before we uprooted our lives to retire in Florida. “Are you going to leave your children and your friends and move all the way to Florida?” These words came from the heart of God and from the knowledge of being a friend who knew me like a sister. We had been daily prayer partners for almost thirty years. Those words took root in my soul.

Read the rest…

Accept with humility

Posted on by

August 5

“Let us remember these great truths: (1) There is
nothing, however small or apparently indifferent, which has not been ordained or permitted by God – even to the fall of a leaf.

(2) God is sufficiently wise, good, powerful and merciful to turn those events which are apparently the most calamitous to the good and the advantage of those who know how to adore and accept with humility all that his divine and adorable will permits.”

~Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.

 

For Reflection:

 

If I want to experience the good and the advantage hidden in the midst of my life’s calamities and sufferings, what must I know how to do? Why do I think this is so? What practical steps can I employ to move in this direction?

 

If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith.
DONATE

Read the rest…

How to Deal with Scandal Caused by Some Catholic Writers

Posted on by

BB writes: “One thing that really puzzles me is that both the well-loved Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen were also known for their study and openness to some Eastern religion practices. How do you perceive their teachings?

Read the rest…

God is wise

Posted on by

August 4

“Let us remember these great truths: (1) There is
nothing, however small or apparently indifferent, which has not been ordained or permitted by God – even to the fall of a leaf.

(2) God is sufficiently wise, good, powerful and merciful to turn those events which are apparently the most calamitous to the good and the advantage of those who know how to adore and accept with humility all that his divine and adorable will permits.”

~Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.

 

For Reflection:

Meditating on the second truth that Jean-Pierre De Caussade offers, do I truly believe that God is wise, good, powerful and merciful? Do I truly believe that God can and will turn the calamity and suffering of my life to my good and advantage? Have I witnessed this in the past?

 

If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith.
DONATE

Read the rest…

Even to the fall of a leaf

Posted on by

August 3

“Let us remember these great truths: (1) There is
nothing, however small or apparently indifferent, which has not been ordained or permitted by God – even to the fall of a leaf.

(2) God is sufficiently wise, good, powerful and merciful to turn those events which are apparently the most calamitous to the good and the advantage of those who know how to adore and accept with humility all that his divine and adorable will permits.”

~Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.

 

For Reflection:

The next three days will provide me with time to contemplate and consider the rich insight of this quote. For today, what do I think is the difference between God’s “ordained” will and His “permissive” will. What instances of each have I seen in my life?

 

If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith.
DONATE

Read the rest…

The measure of all things

Posted on by

August 2
“The will of God is the measure of all things.”
 ~St. Ambrose of Milan
For Reflection:
Is God’s will the yardstick of my decisions, choices, and behavior? Why or why not? To what extent does fear of God’s will enter in? (See tomorrow’s Grace Lines for some insight that may help.)

 

If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith.
DONATE

Read the rest…

The Portiuncula Indulgence: Gift of Jesus, Gift of Francis

Posted on by

Painting of the vision of St. Francis in the Portiuncula – Bartolome Esteban Murello (1617-1682)

Legends abound surrounding the life and times of Francis, the saintly little poor man of Assisi (1182 – 1226): his affinity for all of nature, preaching to the birds, taming the ravenous wolf, recreating the Christmas crèche, receiving the sacred stigmata. What is not so well known is the role Saint Francis played in the bestowal of an amazing gift from a gracious God to His creatures.

Read the rest…