"If our hopes in Christ are limited to this life only, we are the most pitiable of men."
I Cor. 15:19
For Reflection:
Hope is the theological virtue that directs us toward eternal life. Why do you think seeking Christ only for temporal needs make us "pitiable?"
Read the rest
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the water that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of the drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
Jeremiah 17: 7- 8
For Reflection:
What are the benefits to placing our trust in God? Paraphrase the Scripture passage above to reflect your insights and write it in your journal so you will have it there when needed.
Read the rest
"Consider seriously how quickly people change, and how little trust is to be had in them; and hold fast to God, who does not change."
St. Teresa of Avila
For Reflection:
Many people today place their hope in pop psychology and self-help books. While good counsel is always beneficial in a time of need, it must be counsel that is rooted in Christ. See tomorrow's Grace Line to find out why.
Read the rest
"The most beautiful Credo is the one we pronounce in our hour of darkness."
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
For Reflection:
How does our Credo pronounced in an hour of darkness attach us to the Cross of Christ? How does this make it beautiful?
Read the rest
"All things upon which you set your trust are yours. Do but expect much of God, and He will do much for you. Expect but little, and He will do little."
St. Bernard
For Reflection:
What is the word of wisdom that St. Bernard offers us in this quote? How does this correspond to these words from St. James, "You do not obtain because you do not ask?" Read James 4: 1-10 to discover what attitude of heart should accompany our request of God.
Read the rest
"The heart of God invited all to put it to the proof. The more He gives, the more He desires to give. He loves to see the trust that makes us persist in knocking unceasingly."
Blessed Placid Riccardi
For Reflection:
Trust in God yields hope. Hope in God yields confidence. Confidence in God yields assurance that He will meet our every need. Read Matthew 7: 7-11. How does Blessed Placid's quote reflect the wisdom of Scripture?
Read the rest
"God is not a deceiver that he should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon Him, should slip away from us."
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
Sometimes God is not readily apparent in our need, so we fear that He is not with us and we place no hope in Him. However, the fact may be that we are not looking for Him hidden in the wrappings of our suffering. Dare we look, we will find Him attentive to our need, patiently providing every grace we need. He desires only that we search and find that He is there and His grace is sufficient. Am I willing to do this today?
Read the rest
"No test has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
1 Corinthians 10:13
For Reflection:
What virtues have I acquired in times of suffering? How have they provided a "way out" so that I was able to endure?
Read the rest
"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare not for woe, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
For Reflection:
How have I seen this come true in my own life, especially after a time of sorrow and suffering? What does this tell us about God?
Read the rest
"Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply, but speak gently and respectfully."
1 Peter 3:15
For Reflection:
One way we can instill hope in others is to have our story of God's mercy in our own life ready to share with them. What is one way God worked in your life that gave you hope in the midst of travail? Work at putting this into a two minute testimony so you will be "ever ready to reply." Hint: Divide your story into three parts and pick the highlights from each. The three parts of your story should be "I was, Jesus did, I am"
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for a passage you can use in your testimony.)
Read the rest
