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"Obedience is servility only to those who have not understood the spontaneity of love." Bishop Fulton J. Sheen For Reflection: What do I think is the relationship of love to obedience?

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"I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible." St. Teresa of Avila For Reflection: How does obedience make things easy - even if they seem impossible?

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"A little drop of simple obedience is worth a million times more than a whole vase of the choicest contemplation." St. Maria Maddalena De Pazzi For Reflection: Today, I will count my "little drops of simple obedience." How many have I had?

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BA writes: "We ordered the popular P90X exercise DVDs. When we discovered yoga was part of the program we promptly shredded that DVD and substitute that day with stretching. Some of the exercises and even stretching positions bother me they just feel so 'yoga like'.  Also, is Kenpo not a good idea?"  

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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist

Criticism is mounting over the decision by several major newspapers to recruit volunteers to scour 24,000 e-mail messages to and from Sarah Palin during her tenure as governor, ostensibly to help them uncover the "most important information."

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist

Because of the systematic discrimination women endure in so many cultures around the world, new statistics show they account for 70 percent of the world's poor.

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist The inauguration of Nigeria's new Christian president, Goodluck Jonathan, has set off a new wave of violence against Christians by Muslim extremists in northern Nigeria, including a June 7 blast that killed 11 people and caused extensive damage to St. Patrick's Cathedral.

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Yesterday I was doing some weeding in my garden and there, once again, I came upon my archenemy -- a prolific weed against which I wage a war. Sprouting tendrils from the mother plant, it creeps its way along the ground’s surface in search of one of my pretty blossoms and blooms.  Spying its prey, it coils itself around my dainty bloom, plants a root system nearby, and attempts to suck the life out of my lovely flower. Also, click here for all information related to flowers.

“Aha, “ I said. “We meet again!” And mustering up energy and strength, I waged a fierce battle, grabbed it by its vine and yanked it out, triumphant for the moment!

But before I too quickly raised a toast to victory, I knew the war had not been won. The weed would return. Yes, it would come back again, impervious to my latest win. In this war, vigilance was required, steadfastness of heart, fortitude and resolve, humility and perseverance. These would hold me firm in my fight, and help me sustain the zeal and vigor that I need.

Yes, with the help of grace, the battle will be won – maybe not in time, perhaps only in eternity, when I see Jesus face to face, and all is made new (Rev. 21:5).

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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist

While addressing six new ambassadors to the Holy See yesterday, the Holy Father spoke about the need to adopt "a lifestyle that respects our environment" and to understand what constitutes an appropriate use of technology.

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"Obedience unites us so closely to God that in a way transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God." St. Thomas Aquinas For Reflection: Why do I think prayer is not pleasing to God without obedience? Where have I been disobedient to God in the past, or now presently? To what extent have I seen my disobedience affect my prayer?

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