"Happy is the man who keeps the hour of death always in mind, and daily prepares for it."
Thomas À Kempis
For Reflection:
At first glance, this quote seems to be a contradiction. How can one be happy if he is always keeping his death in mind? How can the reality of death lead us to true happiness of life? What part does preparation for death play in our happiness?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for one saint's admonition that also implies a happy life.)
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"The foolish fear death as the greatest of evils, and the wise desire it as a rest after labors and the end of all ills."
St. Ambrose
For Reflection:
According to this quote, am I foolish or am I wise? If I am foolish, what about death makes me fear? If I am wise, what am I doing to match my desire with preparation?
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"The 'suffering' of purgatory is very real, and it is twofold: a profound remorse for sin and a profound longing for the fullness of God's presence."
Father John Hampsch, C.M.F.
For Reflection:
To what extent have I pondered the reality of purgatory and the souls who are there? Do I presently have a profound remorse for my sin and a profound longing for the fullness of God's presence? May God give me the grace I need to desire Him more and offend Him less. Amen.
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Feast of All Saints
"Let us rejoice in the Lord and keep festival in honor of all the saints. Let us join with the angels in joyful praise to the Son of God."
Entrance Antiphon
For Reflection:
What a happy day this is in the life of the Church! How will I celebrate this "festival" in honor of all the saints? Today, in what one specific way can I imitate their virtue and charity? All you holy men and women, pray for me. Amen
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To all Women of Grace Facilitators, Members, and those thinking about becoming Facilitators:
I had an experience one recent morning that I knew was meant not for me alone, but for all Women of Grace . . .
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Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots:www.theholyrosary.org
Click on "Novena Mary Undoer of Knots"
Masses for Your Intentions:
www.SpiritualTreasury.com
For Your Prayer Requests:
www.womenofgraceplace.com
Click on "Communities" under Quick Links
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Feast of All Saints
"Let us rejoice in the Lord and keep festival in honor of all the saints. Let us join with the angels in joyful praise to the Son of God."
Entrance Antiphon
For Reflection:
What a happy day this is in the life of the Church! How will I celebrate this "festival" in honor of all the saints? Today, in what one specific way can I imitate their virtue and charity? All you holy men and women, pray for me. Amen
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Our Lady's Rosary
Dear Mother, I bring Thee roses
Because they are so sweet,
But lilies, my favorite flowers
I am placing at Thy feet.
Accept with each Hail Mary
A rose for Thy crown so bright,
Please don't forget the lilies,
The lilies so pure and white.
Let them be a bond of love
And understanding rare,
And send a blessing from above
In answer to my prayer.
Loneliness would be unknown
If more people came to Thee,
With their trials and sorrows
And said their Rosary.
With each Hail Mary, they would find
Their load much lighter grow,
And in humility, kiss the cross
In peace, would onward go.
Alice W. Sparks
For Reflection:
How has my load been made lighter this past month as I have prayed the Rosary? Am I willing to make the Rosary a daily prayer? Why or why not?
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"I look to all of you, brothers and sisters of every state of life, to you, Christian families, to you, the sick and elderly, and to you, young people: confidently take up the Rosary once again. Rediscover the Rosary in the light of Scripture, in harmony with the liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives. May this appeal of mine not go unheard!"
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
How will I respond to this urgent appeal of Pope John Paul II?
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Have you ever noticed the connection between what is going on in your interior life and what is taking place exteriorly? Often, Our Lord uses the events and circumstances of our daily life to draw attention to a work He is doing deep within us.
Let me give you an example. Several years ago I was sitting in my family room deep in prayer. I had just meditated on a particular passage of Scripture and was earnestly seeking what the Lord was saying to me through it.
Interiorly, I was very aware of His presence and I knew He was about a work of grace. As I waited in silence, listening for His voice with my "spiritual" ears, I seemed to hear Him tell me He was healing me of a great hurt and that He was about a work of restoration in me. He seemd to say that He was making new a certain area of my being (2 Cor. 5:17; Rev. 21:5).
Just as these words were penetrating my heart, I audibly heard a loud 
ripping noise that sounded like the very roof was being torn off of my house! Startled, I all but jumped off of the couch. My eyes flew open and it took a second or two to realize what was going on. I had recently hired workmen to replace the screening around my pool area and they had begun to strip away the old material at the very moment Our Lord was telling me He was making all things new!
Tears sprang to my eyes even as I began to laugh out loud. How poignantly God was emphasizing His work! He was stripping away the debris of my woundedness and replacing it with new life -- and He had seen fit to accompany His work with sound effects to make the point!
What is happening in your life today? Is it worth a bit of reflection to see what God might be saying to you through it? Remember what Jesus tells us in Matthew's gospel, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you..." (7:7). Let's ask, seek, and find that which God is about in us today. He may well be making a very big statement!
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