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"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." -1 Peter 4:8

We returned this week from our wonderful, grace-filled events in San Antonio. These were our first in-person, Women of Grace events in two years.

"When the most holy Virgin was born, the whole world was made radiant; blessed is the branch and blessed the stem which bore such holy fruit." -Liturgy of the Hours

Today we celebrate a very special feast day, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the day of her birth, the world was made more radiant because she would bear Christ, Our Savior, to the world.

“The world offers you comfort but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” – Pope Benedict XVI

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to slip into comfort seeking? Or taking the path of least resistance?

“Modern times are dominated by Satan and will be more so in the future. The conflict with hell cannot be engaged by men, even the most clever. The Immaculata alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan. However, assumed into Heaven, the Mother of God now requires our cooperation. She seeks souls who will consecrate themselves entirely to her, who will become in her hands effective instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spreading of God's kingdom upon earth.” - St. Maximilian Kolbe

Last Saturday we celebrated the feast of one of my favorite saints, St. Maximilian Kolbe. My husband and I love him so much that we named our beloved dog Kolbe after him.

“Turn me over, I’m done on this side.” – St. Lawrence

Have you ever noticed how good it feels to laugh? "It's not surprising that the adage, "laughter is the best medicine" is such a popular cliche." It’s true. It’s also not surprising that many of the saints were known for their keen sense of humor.

“The way to destroy bad habits is by watchfulness and by doing often those things that are opposites to one’s besetting sins.” -St. John Vianney

How do we grow in virtue?

St. John Vianney, whose feast we celebrate today, offers us the sage advice of "doing often those things that are opposites to one's besetting sins."

“Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 one thing is needful.[a] Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42

Are you a Martha, a Mary, or a Lazarus?

Today is the Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. In the scripture passage above, we see that Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.” While Martha, “was distracted with much serving.” She even complained that Mary wasn’t doing her part and the Lord, rebuked her saying that Mary had chosen the better part and He would not take it away from her.

“On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, 'Let us cross to the other side.' Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Quiet! Be still!' The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, 'Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?'" -Mark 4:35-40

Do recent events in the world or in the Church have you terrified?

We see in the above scripture passage that even the apostles, those who were closest and spent the most time with Jesus, experienced fear, doubt, and terror. When it seemed that Jesus was asleep in the boat as it was being battered by the storm, He assured them that He was with them, and instantly calmed the storm.

“I am no longer my own. I have given myself entirely to Jesus Christ.” Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Today is a special day here at Women of Grace. We celebrate the feast day of one of our patron saints, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, aka “Lily of the Mohawks,” who is the first Native American saint. She is the patroness of our Young Women of Grace study program.