Traveling back in time two thousand or so years, to the Holy Land, we come upon a small, unassuming Galilean village called Nazareth, “Village of the Shoot,” its name evoking the hope for a Messiah prophesied by Isaiah: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse (Is 11:1)” (Mike Aquilina, St. Joseph and His World).
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A recent Facebook post shared this urgent prayer intention by one outspoken priest:
"The police are afraid to be policeThe priests are afraid to be priestsThe Christians are afraid to be ChristiansThe Americans are afraid to be AmericansGod, grant us the gift of fortitude to stand up against our oppressors."
St. Catherine of Siena would probably agree with his sentiment. She once declared, “We’ve had enough of exhortation to be silent! Cry out with a hundred thousand tongues. I see that the world is rotten because of silence.”
CD writes: "So many of my friends, who are very well educated, are suddenly getting involved in the Law of Attraction. Can you explain what this is and if Catholics can become involved in it?”
"Eternal Trinity, Godhead, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, You are a fire that takes away coldness, illuminates the mind with its light, and causes me to know Your truth. You are beauty and wisdom itself. "
-Adapted from a prayer of St. Catherine of Siena
Today's Reflection
Today, I will take a few moments to meditate on this prayer of St. Catherine and see what the Lord speaks to me through it.
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"The greatest saints, the souls richest in graces and virtues, shall be the most assiduous in praying to our Blessed Lady, and in having her always present as their perfect model for imitation and their powerful aid for help."
-St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary
Today's Reflection
According to St. Louis de Montfort, how rich in grace and virtue might my soul be? To what extent can I increase my devotion to the Blessed Mother and her intercession?
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LV writes: “I’m so tired of trying to figure out if an alternative is related to the New Age or not. Are there any guidelines Christians can use to help them discern what’s okay and what isn’t from a spiritual perspective?”
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"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness."
-Isaiah 55:2
Today's Reflection:
Is it possible that my "consumerism" prevents me from receiving the spiritual nourishment that I need?
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"The Church, which has spread everywhere, even to the ends of the earth, received the faith from the apostles and their disciples."
-St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies
Today's Reflection
Dear St. Mark, thank you for your faithfulness to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Through your obedience, I have received faith. Through your docility, I have received strength. Help me to live the gospel message, experience the gospel message, and pass the gospel message on to others. Please pray for me. Amen.
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