The three temptations of Jesus are familiar to all of us – the temptation for sensual satisfaction, the thirst for power, and the desire for worldly recognition – but, as the Spanish exorcist Father Jose Antonio Fortea explains, these temptations become much more subtle and dangerous when they are imposed on the devout.
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March 2
“Nothing ever happens in the world that does not happen first inside human hearts.”
-Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Today's Reflection
All of the ills of our time – from wars and terrorism to abortion and immoral lifestyles – begin in the same way – by allowing evil into the heart. Pray for the conversion of hearts today!
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March 1
"Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring."
-St. Catherine of Siena
Today's Reflection
Life is like a long-distance race. It takes stamina and endurance to weather the many ups and downs that will come our way. Lent is the perfect time to assess how well we’re weathering the storms in our life. Are we trying to do too much on our own? Might we humble ourselves to ask for God’s help more often?
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February 29
“To do penance is to bewail the evil we have done, and to do no evil to bewail.”
-Pope St. Gregory I: Homilies on the Gospels (6th century)
Today's Reflection
It’s tough to admit that we’ve sinned, but admission and confession is the only path to healing and new hope. Take time to ponder the areas of your life in which you have sinned, or fallen short. Make the sacrament of reconciliation a priority during the Lenten season.
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February 28
“Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we
may get to heaven.”
-St. Rose of Lima
Today's Reflection
Accepting the crosses in our lives isn’t easy, but when done so for love of Our Lord, they become remarkably easier to carry. What crosses are you trying to carry alone? Give them to Jesus and let Him lighten the load!
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February 27
“There are ways of being crucified that do not involve rough wood or heavy nails, but a love beyond our capacity to love, which means a love that has been given to us by God…”
-Servant of God Catherine Doherty
Today's Reflection
Only with God’s grace can we truly understand that real love knows how to suffer for the beloved, and it does so joyfully. Where might you suffer more cheerfully for others?
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(Photo courtesy of Wikicommons Images, Nadja Amireh, CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED)
Did you ever notice how the separation of church and state never applies to any religion except Christianity?
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As the coronavirus continues to spread across the world, the fake cures, hoaxes and conspiracies theories are popping up almost as fast as new cases. The bottom line is simple: don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.
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I'm re-posting this blog which was written several years ago. It contains a four point plan to help you make this a good Lent and some wisdom from my granddaughter Julia. At the bottom, I've shared the podcast from yesterday's
Women of Grace Live radio program as well as my
Lenten themed e-book. During the program we talked about this blog and had a lively, thought-provoking discussion about it. Please read, listen and share.
May God bless you abundantly this Lent.
This morning, my somewhat precocious six year old granddaughter and I had a conversation over breakfast:
“Grandma,” she said gazing out of the kitchen window in our Florida home.
“Yes, Julia?” said I.
“Pretty soon Easter will be here because it is Spring outside.”
“Yes, you are right. Ash Wednesday is this week and that begins the season of Lent.”
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February 26
“Ash Wednesday is considered the 'door' to Lent.”
-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Today's Reflection
Today is the beginning of a 40-day campaign dedicated to ridding ourselves of vice and filling ourselves with virtue. Bring your plans for this Lenten season to the feet of the Crucified and ask for His blessing as you begin this sacred journey.
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