"The love of talk distracts all the powers of our soul from God, and fills them with earthly objects and impressions like a vessel of water which cannot be clear and settled while you are continually stirring the earthly particles from the bottom."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:
The powers of the soul are will, reason, and emotion. How can the "love of talk" draw these away from God? To what extent have I seen this to be true in myself? What practical strategies can I use to mortify myself of this tendency?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line to see how silence leads to wisdom.)
Read the rest
"It is good when a soul loves solitude; it's a sign that it takes delight in God and enjoys speaking with Him."
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
For Reflection:
On a scale of one to ten - one being complete unrest and ten being utter solitude, where does my soul rank? What does this tell me about the level of my "delight in God?"
(See tomorrow's Grace Line to see the gift that comes with quiet.)
Read the rest
"Very well, I will be saint. I will provide a patron for those who bear my name."
Blessed Dina Belanger
For Reflection:
At age eight, Dina Belanger stated the quote above in response to a teacher who told her the Church had no St. Dina. Am I willing to "provide a patron" for those who bear my name? What positive step can I take today to make that happen?
Read the rest
Feast of St. Polycarp,
Bishop and Martyr
(D. 155)
"Leave me as I am. The one who gives me strength to endure the fire will also give me strength to stay quite still on the pyre, even without the precaution of your nails."
St. Polycarp at his Martyrdom
For Reflection:
How is God giving me strength today?
Read the rest
Chair of St. Peter
"And upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Matthew 16:18
For Reflection:
How have I seen the truth of this statement in light of the history of the Church? How does this speak to the fact that the Catholic Church is the Church Jesus founded?
Read the rest
Feast of St. Peter Damien,
Bishop and Doctor
(1007 - 1072)
"In serenity, look forward to the joy that follows sadness. Hope leads you to that joy and love enkindles your zeal."
St. Peter Damien
For Reflection:
"Faith is confident assurance of what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). How does this help me live out the advice of St. Peter Damien?
Read the rest
"The longer you stay away from Communion, the more your soul will become weak, and in the end you will become dangerously indifferent."
St. John Bosco
For Reflection:
How have I seen the truth of this statement in my life or in the life of others? How does this increase my zeal to receive Holy Communion properly prepared and with greater fervency?
Read the rest
"The Eucharist is necessary to preserve the soul in the spiritual life of grace; for the soul, like the body, becomes gradually exhausted, if care is not taken to repair its strength."
St. John Baptist de la Salle
For Reflection:
What perfect sense this makes! In what instances have I experienced exhaustion of the soul? Why do I think reception of the Eucharist repairs its strength?
Read the rest
"One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is to preserve souls from falling, and to help those who fall from weakness to rise again."
St. Ignatius Loyola
For Reflection:
What sin, weakness, or frailty do I succumb to the most? Could it be that more frequent reception of Holy Communion could help me make progress in this area, and to have the courage to rise again when I fall?
Read the rest
"Frequent and daily Communion is greatly desired by our Lord and the Church."
St. Pius X
For Reflection:
How often do I receive Communion during the week? If it is less than seven, what can I do to adjust my schedule to receive at least one additional time? To what extent do I think this is really important?
(See the next three Grace Lines for some very good reasons.)
Read the rest
