"If you have anything against anyone, forgive it. You come here to receive forgiveness of sins, and you, too, must forgive him who has sinned against you."
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
For Reflection:
Who do I need to forgive today? Am I willing to begin the process and move forward in faith and confidence of God's never-failing mercy?
Read the rest
"Confession periodically renewed - the Confession of 'devotion' - has always accompanied the ascent to holiness in the Church."
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
How frequently do I make use of the Sacrament of Penance? What does this tell me about how seriously I take my call to holiness?
Read the rest
"Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin, all hope consists in confession; in confession there is a chance for mercy."
St. Isidore of Seville
For Reflection:
How have I experienced the benefit of Confession as a source of healing? Justification? Release from sin? To what extent does this encourage me to make more frequent use of this sacrament?
Read the rest
"Have you sinned? Go into the church and wipe out your sin. As often as you might fall down in the marketplace, you pick yourself up again. So too, as often as you sin, repent your sin. Do not despair."
St. John Chrysostom
For Reflection:
These words remind us that growth in holiness requires perseverance and hope. How does the Sacrament of Penance offer both of these virtues?
Read the rest
"You who are baptized: Conquer the darkness by the light of your candles, and the silence by your hosannas!"
St. Ephraem the Syrian
For Reflection:
This quote reminds me that my baptism is meant to be a sign to the world. In what specific way(s) can I be a light in the darkness and proclaim the glory of God in the midst of my daily duties?
Read the rest
"Baptism is ransom, forgiveness of debts, death of sin, regeneration of the soul, a resplendent garment, an unbreakable seal, a chariot to heaven, a royal protector, a gift of adoption."
St. Basil the Great
For Reflection:
How blest am I to have been baptized! Which parts of St. Basil's quote speak most profoundly to my soul? For which am I most grateful?
Read the rest
"Baptism initiates us into the Christian life. Often, the dignity of the baptized person is veiled by the ordinary circumstances of his life, so, like the saints, we must strive hard to live in accordance with that dignity at all costs."
Francis Fernandez
For Reflection:
To what extent does my daily life reflect the dignity of my baptism? In what specific areas must I strive to live more in union with that dignity? Am I willing to cooperate with grace for this transformation to take place?
Read the rest
"A sacrament is a remembrance of the past (Christ's Passion), a proof of the present (grace), and a promise of the future (eternal life)."
St. Thomas Aquinas
For Reflection:
Today I will ponder this great three-fold definition of a sacrament to increase my fervency and devotion to the sacraments of the Church.
Read the rest
Do you struggle with worry? I know I do on occasion. Life for the Christian is a daily exercise in surrender to Divine Providence and
Venerable Solanus Casey knew this all to well. Recently, I have found the following quote from Venerable Casey to be most helpful. It is a wonderful reflection to use during your prayer time this week, especially if you are struggling with worry.
"Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free. We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of peace of soul. Instead let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever he chooses to send us.
If we only try to show the Dear Lord a good will and ask Him for resignation to the crosses He sends or permits to come our way, we may be sure that sooner or later they will turn out to have been just so many blessings in disguise."
Venerable Solanus Casey, pray for us.
Related Resources:
Saints of the States with Dan Lynch
The Heart of a Saint: Ten Ways to Grow Closer to God
Read the rest
"Christ's good is communicated to all Christians, even as the power in the head is shared by all the members. This communication is effected by the sacraments of the Church, in which the power of Christ's passion operates, the effect of which is the bestowal of grace for the remission of sins."
St. Thomas Aquinas
For Reflection:
According to these words of St. Thomas Aquinas, what is the purpose and benefit of the sacraments? How does this enhance my appreciation of the gift God has given me through them?
Read the rest
Do you struggle with worry? I know I do on occasion. Life for the Christian is a daily exercise in surrender to Divine Providence and Venerable Solanus Casey knew this all to well. Recently, I have found the following quote from Venerable Casey to be most helpful. It is a wonderful reflection to use during your prayer time this week, especially if you are struggling with worry.
"Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free. We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of peace of soul. Instead let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever he chooses to send us.
If we only try to show the Dear Lord a good will and ask Him for resignation to the crosses He sends or permits to come our way, we may be sure that sooner or later they will turn out to have been just so many blessings in disguise."
Venerable Solanus Casey, pray for us.
Related Resources:
Saints of the States with Dan Lynch
The Heart of a Saint: Ten Ways to Grow Closer to God
