Feast of St. John Bosco, Priest
(1815 - 1888)
On the Disciplining of Boys:
"There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips. We must use mercy for the present and have hope fo rthe future, as is fitting for true fahters who are eager for real correction and improvement."
St. John Bosco
For Reflection:
How can I apply this advice in my dealings with children - mine or those entrusted to me? How does this advice apply to my interactions with all people? What relationship does this have to St. Paul's instruction from yesterday's Grace Line?
"My brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise. Then will the God of peace be with you."
Philippiams 4:8,9
For Reflection:
Based on this passage from Scripture, what is the relationship with my thoughts and my level of peace? Change one, change the other. Hmmmm.
St. Thomas Aquinas,
Priest and Doctor
(1225 - 1274)
"Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue."
St. Thomas Aquinas
For Reflection:
Read Matthew 27:35-50. What virtues do I see exemplified by Jesus on the cross? What What did Jesus disdain on the cross? What did he desire? What virtues do I see exemplified by Jesus on the cross? In what ways can I do likewise?
During the first session of the Women of Grace study, I tell the women that my mother named me appropriately, Martha because I’m “a doer!” But one day I heard a voice in the inner recesses of my heart say, “Martha, Martha, Come and sit with Mary at my feet.” The next thing I knew, I found myself participating in a Women of Grace study at a nearby parish!! I fell in love with the study and realized I had a long, long way to go on my spiritual journey. The rain of graces from the study poured, not only upon my self, but upon my family as well. My husband and I began praying the rosary together and the following Fall, Tony was right beside me as a daily communicant!! My burning desire, my mission, was to create an opportunity for women from all walks of life to embark upon this journey of discovery and transformation. The week that I was to begin facilitating my first Women of Grace group at my parish, negative thoughts plagued me like, “What are you doing? You can’t facilitate this program! You don’t know enough! What if you are asked a question, and you do not know the answer?!” I held my ground and didn’t allow the evil one to discourage me. Throughout the bible we see how the Lord “qualifies the unqualified.” That was me but through my fiat, my “yes”, three Women of Grace studies were implemented at my parish; one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. At one point, we had five studies running at various times throughout the week. Over three hundred women have had the opportunity to go through this life-changing program and it is now being offered in five other surrounding parishes. Our Lady impregnated my soul with a holy zeal for Women of Grace. As a facilitator, a profound gift is given!! The Holy Spirit allows me to witness His abundant fruit sprouting in the hearts of the women he has entrusted to me. Just one example was when I saw a woman’s face transformed after she returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after forty years!! For those considering becoming a facilitator, I can not express the importance of spending time in prayer. It is prayer which allows the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. As this New Year unfolds, may Our Lady and her spouse, the Holy Spirit, prepare your hearts with a double portion of fortitude to birth Jesus to the world!
Fr. Robert Barren's recent video commentary about the recently published abortion statistics for New York is excellent and well worth watching. The numbers are sobering, particularly with regard to the disproportionate rates of abortions among the African American community. He highlights how the pro-abortion community is fueling these frightening trends and the need for greater education and support for those who feel they are left without options when faced with a crisis pregnancy. Definitely a must see during this week in which we reflect and pray about the devastating Roe vs. Wade decision.
Feast of St. Angela Merici, Virgin
(1470 - 1540)
"Mothers and sisters most dear to me in Christ: in the first place strive with all your power and zeal to be open. With the help of God, try to receive such good counsel that, led solely by the love of God and an eagerness to save souls, you may fulfill your charge.Only if the responsibilities committed to you are rooted in this twofold charity will they bear beneficial and saving fruit."
St. Angela Merici
For Reflection:
To what extent are the responsibilities committed to me rooted in the twofold charity St. Angela Merici recommends? How can I help these roots to grow?
Feast of Sts. Timothy and Titus
"As for you, be steady and self-possessed; put up with hardship, perform your work as an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
For Reflection:
How can I fulfill my ministry of evangelization today in at least one way?
Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul
"I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:10
Dear St. Paul,
I wish I could say that I am content with weakness, mistreatment, distress, persecution, and difficulties, but that is not the case. All too often I complain at the least struggle or trial. Pray for me that I obtain the grace I need to endure all things for the sake of Christ. Help me to see that when I am most powerless, Christ can be all in all of me if I surrender my suffering to Him. May the strength of Christ fill me and may I embrace the cross with valor and conviction. Amen
 Feast of St. Francis de Sales,
Bishop and Doctor
(1567 - 1622)
"Our business is to love what God would have done. He wills our vocation as it is. Let us love that and not trifle away our time hankering after other people's vocations."
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
How can "hankering after other people's vocations" lead me to be discontented with what God has chosen for me? How does it deprive me of grace? In what ways can it lead me into sin?
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