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"Chastity is a virtue which we do not have strength to practice unless God gives it to us, and God does not give this strength except to someone who asks for it. But whoever prays for it will certainly obtain it." St. Alphonsus Liguori For Reflection: Do I really want to acquire the virtue of chastity? Why or why not? If not, what sin is hidden in this? If so, am I willing to pray for it?

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"He who has resolved to contend with his flesh and conquer it himself struggles in vain. For unless the Lord destroys the house of flesh and builds the house of the soul, the man who desires to destroy it has watched and fasted in vain." St. John Climacus

For Reflection: How can I build "the house" of my soul so that I may overcome any temptation to sin against chastity? What are three specific ways I can employ beginning now? (See tomorrow's Grace Line for one saint's suggestion.)

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"Lust served became a custom, and a custom not resisted became necessity." St. Augustine

For Reflection: In this quote, St. Augustine gives us keen insight into the bondage of lust. How does it place us in chains? How can I specifically stop serving lust and start serving chastity? (See tomorrow's Grace Line for one suggestion.)

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"Do not say that you have chaste minds if you have unchaste eyes, because an unchaste eye is the messenger of an unchaste heart." St. Augustine

For Reflection: What is the connection between what we look at and what we do? How is it that the eye is the messenger of the heart? What fills my eyes? How can religious artwork in my home and in my office, in my car and in my area of recreation help me to remain chaste?

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Earlier in the Spring, I was in Methuen, Massachusetts at St. Monica Catholic Church giving a day's retreat for women. In my talk, I spoke of the loss of my son, Simon, and my husband Anthony in 2004 and 2007 respectively. I shared about the consolation I received from the prayers of so many, and the maternal beatitude our Blessed Mother continues to show me. Following the talk, a sweet woman approached me with a knowing smile. She lost her son, too, she said. And then, quietly and simply, she told me her story. Her son was on Flight 11 out of Boston on September 11, 2001, which crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 AM. A young man full of promise and hope. A young man who, she later discovered, was well-known for his concern and care for the less fortunate and the poor. For her, like for me, Our Blessed Mother had been and remains a consolation and a conduit of hope. This dear mother had a particular devotion to Our Lady of Beauraing and found in her and through her a "cause for joy" in the midst of her sufferings. Indeed, this graced woman had found a way to suffer well. I have been reading a little book published by Sophia Institute Press by Marguerite Duportal called "How to Make Sense of Suffering." This mother came to mind when I read this passage from this little gem of a book: "Suffering willingly borne before God, in His presence, under His eyes, while the soul is in union with Him 'who is,' in union with all the good emanating from His power, becomes supremely sweet and consoling. This enduring of affliction for religious motives is opposed to that consuming sorrow of rebels against God and of unbelievers. The benefits deriving from this kind of suffering become inestimable, if only we are able to say these words from the bottom of our heart, in every sad or merely painful circumstance of life, 'My God, I believe, I hope, and I love You. I accept." Such a reading causes us to ask some questions of ourselves: "To what extent have I suffered well in the major tragedies entrusted to me? Can I do better? Is there something now that is a present plight? What can I do today to help make this a means of union with God? I will be forever grateful for the witness of this dear woman. May God bless her as she continues to see her tragedy with supernatural vision and for her courage which unites all of it to the Cross of Jesus, Our Lord. May each of us do the same.

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"Purity? They ask. And they smile. They are the very people who approach marriage with worn-out bodies and disillusioned minds. How I wish your bearing and conversation were such that, on seeing or hearing you, people would say: this man reads the life of Jesus Christ." St. Josemaria Escriva For Reflection: Why does an unchaste life lead to "worn-out bodies" and "disillusioned minds?" Does my bearing and conversation speak of my relationship with Jesus Christ?  

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"Guard your eyes that they may not look upon anything contrary to purity; your ears, that they may not listen to evil conversation; your mind, by banishing from it all suggestive thoughts; your heart, by stifling impure desires at their very birth." St. John Baptist de la Salle

For Reflection: How may I apply this sound advice to my life?

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Fr. Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. recently read the following reflection on our radio program, Women of Grace Live, in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It gives us pause for reflection and consideration. May we never forget all of those who died on this infamous date especially those who were spiritually unprepared for their final moment of life on earth.  With these poor souls in mind, let us come together as the Church Militant, and offer our prayers for them.  It is just possible that the prayer we pray for them today, the Mass and Holy Communion we offer in their name, the sacrifice we make on their behalf may be the very vehicle God uses to bring them to Himself.  Let us, pray, too, for those who were left behind -- the survivors of the men and women lost and the men and women whose lives were spared. We are one body in Christ, and when one member suffers, so do we all.  Finally, let us beseech God to protect and make safe our country, as we seek to serve the One Who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Meet Me In The Stairwell by Stacey Randall

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say ‘Good-Bye.’ I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.’

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. ‘I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!’ I said. ‘Of course I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.’

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; ‘Come to Me… this way… take my hand.’ Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are ‘ready to go.’

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

-Jesus

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"If you wish to prevent evil thoughts, let your eyes be modestly reserved, and make a league with them never to look upon anything which is not permitted you to desire." St. Gregory of Nyssa

For Reflection: St. Gregory of Nyssa recommends taking "custody of the eyes." What does this mean? To what extent do I take in through the senses that which is morally illicit - especially regarding chastity? How can I best follow St. Gregory's advice? (See tomorrow's Grace Line to discover how to protect all of the senses from sins against chastity.)

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"When an evil thought is presented to the mind, we must immediately endeavor to turn our thoughts to God, or to something which is indifferent. But the best rule is, instantly to invoke the names of Jesus and Mary, and to continue to invoke them until the temptation ceases." St. Alphonsus Liguori For Reflection: What advice does St. Alphonsus Liguori give for overcoming evil thoughts? What makes his suggestions effective? What makes invoking the names of Jesus and Mary especially effective? Which of these suggestions will I employ when I am tempted? (See tomorrow's Grace Line for one suggestion on how to overcome evil thoughts.)

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