St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr

April 11
St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr (1030-1097)
“The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.”
 -A maxim of Tertullian
Today’s Reflection:
What one mortification can I perform today for the sake of the Church that I may be more in union with the martyrs?
  

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God is all and the rest nothing

April 10
“The great truth that God is all, and the rest nothing, becomes the life of the soul, and upon it one can lean securely amid the incomprehensible mysteries of this world.”
 -Traditionally attributed to Bl. Marie-Therese De Soubiran
Today’s Reflection:
What current “incomprehensible mystery” draws me to lean on the truth that “God is all and the rest nothing”? What consolation does this give me?
  

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Love has a hem to her garment

April 9
“Love has a hem to her garment
That reaches the very dust.
It sweeps the stains
From the streets and lanes,
And because it can, it must.”
-Anonymous poem,
beloved by St. Teresa of Calcutta, describing St. Fabiola
Today’s Reflection:
How dusty has my hem gotten in service of others?
  

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Can Catholics Use Crystals for Healing?

AK wrote about being given a crystal by a friend who said she should use it to find “clarity, atonement, and peace.” Certain that the object was given to her out of love and kindness, she now asks what she should do with it. “Do I just look at it as a pretty geode? Do I return it? I’m not interested in giving my friends the impression that I promote or believe in the power of crystals.”

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Sensations and feelings of the soul

April 8
“Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be.”
 -From a sermon of St. Bernard
Today’s Reflection:
What realities about love are implicit in this statement by St. Bernard?
  

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Who was Mary Magdalene?

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there,
one at the head and one at the feet
where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “They have taken my Lord,
and I don’t know where they laid him.”
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,
but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?”
She thought it was the gardener and said to him,
“Sir, if you carried him away,
tell me where you laid him,
and I will take him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”
which means Teacher.
Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,
for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.’”
Mary went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he had told her.
                  -Jn 20:11-18 (via USCCB)
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Feast of St. John Baptist De La Salle

April 7
Feast of St. John Baptist De La Salle (1651 – 1719)
“Adapt yourself with gracious and charitable compliance to all your neighbor’s weaknesses. In particular, make a rule to hide your feelings in many inconsequential matters.”
-St. John Baptiste De La Salle
For Reflection:
WOW! How is God speaking to me – right this moment – through this quote? What is my response?
  

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Ear Candling Doesn’t Work, is Dangerous, and the FDA is Cracking Down on it!

(Photo courtesy of Wikicommons images – Travis Isaacs CC BY 2.0 DEED)

AE writes: “Here is one subject that I hope you will write an article about: ear candling.  Not only should people be aware that ear candling is a nightmare for audiologists and ENTs because of so many people who end up burning themselves, but it’s pretty much quackery that’s been promoted by “holistic healing” gurus.  Even though the FDA has banned ear candles, I still see them being sold at even pharmacy chains.”

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Yoga Ban in Alabama Schools May Soon Be Overturned

A bill to reverse a 28-year ban on yoga instruction in public schools stalled in committee in the Alabama State Legislature last week, but lawmakers are confident that they can garner enough votes to overturn the law.

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Infinitely good, wise, and kind

April 6
“However severe God’s guidance may seem to us at times, it’s always the guidance of a Father who is infinitely good, wise, and kind.”
-Traditionally attributed to St. Julie Billiart
Today’s Reflection:
Recall a time when you experienced the truth of this quote. How did God’s guidance seem to be severe but prove to be good, wise, and kind? Make a mental note to remember this the next time a trial comes your way.
  

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