Sue from Pennsylvania asks about the use of hypnotherapy to treat anxiety disorders.
Monthly Archives: May 2020
Feeling Fearful? Mary Has Been There!
It’s probably safe to say that many Americans have been experiencing trouble sleeping in recent weeks, given the unprecedented circumstances we’ve been facing for quite some time. For anyone waking suddenly out of a deep sleep, a sensation of fear – that powerful emotion so very prominent in our national consciousness of late – would not be at all unusual.
Spiritual Motherhood: Spiritual battle
May 26
“Women must restore to political and professional life the emphasis on the spiritual, an emphasis so sadly lacking; we rely on them to help with the spiritual battle against the evils of secularism.”
-Richard Cardinal Cushing
Today’s Reflection:
Note the use of the word “must.” To what extent does this motivate a deeper understanding of your personal mission in this our day and time. How can you begin to work to restore an emphasis on the things of God in your sphere of influence? What one step can you take today?
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Spiritual Motherhood: Readiness to give
May 25
“To bring about his salvation, all man has to contribute is his readiness to give himself up completely. The receptive, passive attitude of the feminine principle appears as the decisive, the positive element in the Christian order of grace. The Marian dogma, brought down to a simple formula, means the co-operation of the creature in the salvation of the world.”
-Gertrud von le Fort
Today’s Reflection
Consider the first statement in this quote from Gertrud von le Fort. On a scale of 1 – 10, how do I rank my readiness with 1 being “Not Ready At All,” and 10 being “Out-The-Door.” What holds me back; what causes me to press forward? What is defined here as the “feminine principle” and why do you think it is the “decisive, the positive element of the Christian order of grace”? Contemplate this in light of Our Lady. After reading the last statement, ask “To what extent am I molded in the Marian dogma?”
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Spiritual Motherhood: Battle between darkness and light
May 24
“Amidst this pitched battle between darkness and light it is woman’s specific calling to restore the right balance which is a prerequisite of all stability.”
-Placid Jordon, O.S.B.
Today’s Reflection
Look again at yesterday’s Grace Line. Why do you think it is woman’s “specific calling to restore the right balance which is the prerequisite of all stability”? Consider this in light of Mary. Since you are a woman, substitute your name for “woman.” How does this substitution make a difference in the way you receive this statement? How can you begin to “restore a right balance” today?
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Spiritual Motherhood: Fiery tongues
May 23
“…I am confident that the Holy Spirit is sending down His gifts of fiery tongues on the Church today – all with the emphasis on the women. He is inspiring them to follow in Mary’s footsteps and do for the beleaguered faithful in our own day what she did for the infant Church in her day…But, I repeat, it will take Mary-like women to achieve this miracle of renovation of the Church of God.”
-Father John A. Hardon, S.J.
Today’s Reflection
Based on this month’s study, what has Mary done for the infant Church and for the Church through the centuries? According to Father Hardon, what is our mission? How does he suggest it will be accomplished? Describe your image of a “Mary-like” woman. How can you cooperate with grace to be molded into this image? Ask Mary to infuse you with the gifts and graces you need – a novena for each perhaps….?
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Spiritual Motherhood: The Immaculata must conquer the whole world
May 22
“The Immaculata must conquer the whole world for herself, and each individual soul as well, so that she can bring all back to God. This is why we must acknowledge her for what she is, and submit to her reign,
which is all gentleness.”
-St. Maximillian Kolbe
Today’s Reflection
Why must Our Lady conquer the whole world? How is this in keeping with her spiritual motherhood? To what extent has she “conquered” you? To what extent have you submitted to her reign?
Consider these questions in light of the progress you have made in the past month. Why do you think submitting to her is necessary for your own spiritual motherhood?
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Beware of So-Called “Church Approved” Coronavirus Prevention
Alleged revelations from Our Lady to a Costa Rican woman that call for the use of essential oils to prevent infection by the coronavirus have gone viral on the Internet. What should Catholics make of revelations such as these?
Spiritual Motherhood: The bosom of her mercy
May 21
“Mary became all to all; to all she offers the bosom of her mercy, that all may receive of it: the slave, his redemption, the infirm, health; the afflicted, comfort; the sinner, pardon; and God, glory – that there should be no one who would not feel her warmth and great affection.”
-St. Bernardine of Siena
Today’s Reflection
What do you think it means that Mary “became all to all?” Ponder the phrase “bosom of her mercy.” What images or sentiments does it provoke within you? Why do you think St. Bernardine of Siena uses this descriptive of Mary’s love? According to the descriptions given here, which most describes the way in which Mary has offered you “the bosom of her mercy?” To whom can we offer the “bosom” of our mercy today – slave, infirm, afflicted, sinner, God? How?
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Spiritual Motherhood: Hope for far greater graces
May 20
“Thou, O Lady, teaches us to hope for far greater graces than we deserve, since thou never ceases to dispense graces far, far beyond our merits.”
-St. Idelbert
Today’s Reflection
One adage about mercy states that “Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve.” Consider this in light of the above quote and your novena petition. How does the favor you received from God through Our Lady’s intercession increase your hope? Recall another instance or period of time when you received mercy and grace according to this definition. How were graces dispensed far beyond your merits?
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