“Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy." -Exodus 31:13
Do you have a daily ritual?
The Lord gives us many examples of rituals in sacred scripture: God instituted the sacrificial covenant ritual with Abram (Gen. 15:8-21); He gave us the ritual of observing the Sabbath (Ex. 8:20); He asked the people of Israel participate in the Passover each year (Ex. 12:27: 1-14); Jesus taught the apostles to pray the Our Father (Mt 6: 9-13); and He instituted the Holy Eucharist (Lk 22: 14 - 20)
We are bombarded by distractions and growing "to-do" lists. God knew that we needed routine in our lives to keep us focused on Him. Rituals help to reserve our mental and spiritual energy for what is most important.
Recently, I took a two-week vacation. My husband and I went on a road trip from Florida to New York and back again. I must admit that being on vacation, I really slacked on my daily routine and I felt a noticeable increase in frustration, agitation, impatience, and lack of peace.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed my vacation but now that I'm back home, I'm working really hard to dust myself off and pick back up on my spiritual routine. Here is a list of a few things that I do my best to practice daily. The nice thing about having rituals/routines is that when you get off track, you can always return to them.
Morning routine:
- Rise early
- Praise and thank God upon waking up and say morning prayers: St. Michael, Guardian Angel, Renew Consecration to Jesus through Mary, Cardinal Mercier's Prayer To The Holy Spirit, and Memorare to St. Joseph
- Praise music while getting ready
- Coffee and prayer time with husband
- Morning prayer
- Daily mass (Several times per week, preferably daily)
- When time permits, a short time of adoration after mass and prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- Daily Angelus at noon
- Litany of Humility prior to beginning work
Evening/Nightly routine
- Rosary
- Quiet time of meditation with sacred scripture
- Examen
- Gratitude journal
- Plan for tomorrow asking for God's wisdom
Do you have a set of rituals that keep you focused on the Lord? We'd love for you to share them with us in the comments.
Please join us for our Women of Grace Rosary Crusade, when we will take part in one of the most beautiful and powerful spiritual practices that our Catholic Church has given us.
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July 7
"When Christ came, he banished the devil from our hearts, in order to build in them a temple for himself. Let us, therefore, do what we can with his help, so that our evil deeds will not deface the temple."
- St. Caesarius of Arles
Today's Reflection:
What "stone" of virtue can I use today to help build a temple for Christ within myself? What one defaced "stone" can I work to remove?
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Most people think it could never happen to them. They're too educated, too savvy, too world-wise to be swept into a cult. But that's not what the statistics show.
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SK writes: “
My sister-In- law was given a book by the author Baird Spalding. I did a quick search and he sound like he’s New Age. I need your help in finding information on the author Baird Spalding.”
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July 6
"We must keep near to the souls God puts in our way, and try to understand and love them. Here we have discovered, by God's grace, the sources of peace and the means of possessing it fully."
-Élisabeth Leseur
Today's Reflection:
Who is one soul near to me whom I can "try to understand and love"? How can I "reframe" my perspective to see this individual as an instrument of God meant to lead me to true peace and virtue?
(Hint: Perhaps a family member with whom we are called to exercise patience or a co-worker with whom we are called to exercise kindness and gentleness...)
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July 5
"Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man."
- St. Teresa of Avila
Today's Reflection
Make a list of the various ways we can "till" the ground of our mind so that it will bring forth abundant fruit for the Kingdom of God. What resolution am I willing to make in this regard?
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July 4
"Our God is God. All is as He pleases. I am the happiest creature in the thought that not the least thing can happen but by His will or permission; and all for the best."
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Today's Reflection
How can I apply the truth of this quote to a current struggle or difficulty? To what extent does this bring me a sense of peace?
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July 3
"My vocation is to let myself be led like a child, one day at a time."
-Blessed Pierina Morosini
Today's Reflection
On a scale from 1-10, with 1 being "strong-willed" and 10 being "completely docile", to what extent do I allow God to lead me one day at a time "like a child"? What characteristics do I have that help or hinder me in this pursuit?
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July 2
"We know our union with the brethren who have died in the grace and faith of Christ is not the least weakened or interrupted by their death. On the contrary it is strengthened by our conveying spiritual goods for their benefit."
- Second Vatican Council Lumen Gentium, 49
Today's Reflection
Quietly, I will call to mind all of my loved ones who have passed away. What "spiritual goods" can I convey to them for their benefit? What am I willing to do today? What am I willing to commit to do for this month? What am I willing to commit to do for this year?
If you enjoy Daily Gracelines, please prayerfully consider making a donation to support and sustain our apostolate so that we may continue to provide this and all of our resources designed to nourish and grow your Catholic faith.
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JK writes:
“A friend of mine insists that there is such a thing as an Akashic Record of all of our thoughts, ideas and actions, and that it exists in a different dimension. Is this true?”
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