June 13
"Wives, mothers of families, the first educators of the human race in the intimacy of the family circle, pass on to your sons and your daughters the traditions of your fathers at the same time that you prepare them for an unsearchable future. Always remember that by her children a mother belongs to that future which perhaps she will not see..."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
How are you passing on the "traditions of your fathers" and preparing your family for an "unsearchable future?"
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June 12
"You women have always had as your lot the protection of the home, the love of beginnings and an understanding of cradles. You are present in the mystery of a life beginning. You offer consolation in the departure of death. Our technology runs the risk of becoming inhuman. Reconcile men with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over the future of our race. Hold back the hand of man who, in a moment of folly, might attempt to destroy human civilization."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
What does it mean to "reconcile men with life?" How are you doing in this regard?
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June 11
"And now it is to you that we address ourselves, women of all states—girls, wives, mothers and widows, to you also, consecrated virgins and women living alone—you constitute half of the immense human family. As you know, the Church is proud to have glorified and liberated woman, and in the course of the centuries, in diversity of characters, to have brought into relief her basic equality with man. But the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is under-going so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling."
-TO WOMEN, VATICAN COUNCIL II CLOSING SPEECHES AND MESSAGES, Pope Paul VI
Today’s Reflection:
What does this excerpt from the Vatican II letter "To Women" tell you about the Catholic Church's teaching on the equality of woman?
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June 10
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
"In a wholly singular way she [Mary] cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the work of the Savior in restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is mother to us in the order of grace."
-Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium
Today’s Reflection:
Today we ponder and celebrate Mary's special role as mother of the Church. How does her example inspire you to God's invitation to carry Christ in the womb of your heart?
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June 9
"Holy Spirit, come into my heart. Bring new life to the ancient prayers I learned as a child, and inspire me to voice my innermost thoughts to the God who knows them all. Amen."
-Johnnette Benkovic Williams
Today’s Reflection:
Ponder how God responds to your desire for deeper intimacy with Him. Receive every spiritual blessing in the heavens this day.
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June 8
"Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to [
n]God, even the Father..."
-Ephesians 5:18-20
Today’s Reflection:
How can we make each day of our lives a symphony of prayer, a melody of love which rises to the throne of the God the Father in praise and worship?
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June 7
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."
-Galatians 5:22
Today’s Reflection:
God desires to shower us in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we approach Pentecost, what are you doing to prepare yourself to receive this
awesome grace anew?
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June 6
"An invisible power seemed to plunge me wholly into fire...but oh! what fire! what sweetness!"
-Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Today’s Reflection:
Reflect with gratitude upon the heavenly gifts, the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, and the consolations which the Lord has bestowed upon you.
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June 5
"The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect, and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling."
-Closing Message, To Women,
Second Vatican Council
Today’s Reflection:
What characteristic will help woman aid humanity in not falling?
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June 4"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy,
the Son of God."
-Luke 1;35
Today’s Reflection:
God desires to fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit, just as He did Our Blessed Mother, Mary. He desires for us to bring Jesus Christ into the world, just as Mary did. What obstacles or fears are keeping you from giving your full "yes" to God?
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