September 2011
On this day of your life we believe God wants you...
Think about the times that you felt close to God, when love and joy pulsed through your veins. Dwell on these times, especially when life isn’t easy and trouble seems to compete for your attention. Any situation can be improved if you remember to remember God.
THE COURAGE TO WORK
“Does it not seem like nothing in your eyes?” –Haggai 2:3
It’s discouraging to see how bad things have become. It’s discouraging to think that even our best efforts are very inadequate and possibly inferior to what we’ve done before (see Hg 2:3). It’s discouraging to have your best work be overshadowed by the damage inflicted for years by the evil one.
But...
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he...”
– Philippians 2:5-8
Convince yourself that there is no such thing as...
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look...
Saint of the Day - September 23, 2011
St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)
Padre Pio was the first priest to ever receive the stigmata. His life was full of miracles. He would hear confessions for several hours every day, where he would read the consciences of those who held back. He was known to bilocate, levitate, and heal by touch.
On this day of your life we believe God wants you...
The best thing to do if you’re feeling poor is to give something away. Give a few dollars to a homeless person, some clothes to a thrift store or pay for the person behind you at the drive through. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do have and how you can bless others with it. Being able to give is a Divine gift in itself.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for...
THE PLEASURES OF GOD
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it.’ ” –Haggai 1:7-8
If you asked yourself: “Am I happy?”, what would be an honest answer? Many people are more busy than blessed (see Hg 1:6), more stuffed than nourished, and more jaded than exhilarated (see Hg 1:6)....
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a...”
– James 4:11-12
“If you follow faithfully the promptings of grace, you will yield good fruit,...”
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #920
I am a Christian, and I shall die for God, and for...
Saint of the Day - September 22, 2011
St. Lawrence Ruiz (1600-1637)
Lawrence was a Filipino layman, a father of three. When he was wrongfully accused of murder, he sought asylum aboard a ship carrying several Catholic missionaries to Japan. When they arrived, they all were tortured and killed for their faith.
“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
– Psalm 118:24
On this day of your life we believe God wants you...
Life is a learning process, and changes can be wonderful opportunities for growth. Don’t be afraid of change! Embrace it and grow!
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are...
What does Life mean?
“For, to me, ‘life’ means Christ.” –Philippians 1:21
What does life mean to you? Some of us would answer: “Life” means family, friends, and work. Life means church on Sunday, Thanksgiving dinners, a new car, or a wedding in the family.
Paul doesn’t talk like this. He bluntly asserts: “Life” means Christ. Paul had “come to rate all as...
But for me it is good to be near God; I have made...
2 tags
“You spend your time with that companion of yours who is scarcely even civil to...”
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #843
“The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals,...”
– Life in Christ: Catechism #2415
Clearly, what God wants above all is our will...
Saint of the Day - September 18, 2011
St. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)
Joseph began having visions when he was eight. Despite his poor education, he became a priest due to his heroic virtue. His life was a series of visions and ecstasies. He would often levitate or fly. Despite being subject to ridicule and harassment, he was known for his joyful spirit.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and...
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no...”
– Psalm 23:4
7 tags
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and...”
– John 15:16
“10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there...”
– Isaiah 55:10-11
1 tag
Stop Every Day and Look at the Size of God
Who is God? What is His personality like? What are His character traits? According to the Bible, He is everlasting, just, caring, holy, divine, omniscient, omnipotent, omni-present, and sovereign. Never forget who lives inside of you: …the Lord…the great God, the great King above all gods (Ps. 95:3).
I travel by air quite often and one of the benefits is that every time I fly I get a...
2 tags
“Is it possible, you asked me, that Christ should have spent so many years –...”
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #55
A STIFLING TRIO
“Their progress is stifled by the cares and riches and pleasures of life and they do not mature.” – Luke 8:14
Jesus identifies three things that stifle the Word’s progress in our lives if we don’t surrender them to His lordship:
cares. We are to cast our cares upon Jesus, because He cares for us (1 Pt 5:7). He is more than “able” (Heb 7:25) to deal with our...
“The seventh commandment forbids acts or enterprises that for any reason –...”
– Life in Christ: Catechism #2414
Let what you heard from the beginning abide in...
You will become a saint if you have charity, if...
Charity is that with which no man is lost, and...
Saint of the Day - September 17, 2011
St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Robert was a Jesuit priest and the chair of theology at the Roman College. While teaching, he wrote a number of great works, including several catechisms. He was St. Aloysius Gonzaga’s spiritual director, and helped St. Francis de Sales. He went on to become a Provincial, and later a Cardinal.
On this day of your life we believe God wants you...
Don’t let the media fool you. There are kind, good-hearted, generous, loving people all over this world. They just don’t get nearly as much attention as the ‘bad guys’. Remember that there is goodness and love all around.
LOVING TO SUFFER
“Even now I find my joy in the suffering I endure for you.” –Colossians 1:24
Naturally we want to avoid suffering. Supernaturally we can and must embrace certain sufferings, which are a share in Christ’s sufferings. Love is the only thing stronger than our natural aversion to suffering. Those who choose suffering in the pattern of Jesus’ death (Phil 3:10) do so only...
A Joke a Day...
Anglican priest to his wife who’d just spent a fortune on a dress – ”Why did you spend so much, I’ve told you that whenever you feel tempted you should say “Get behind me Satan”
“I did” said his wife.
“What happened then?” said the priest?
“He told me it looked lovely from the back.”
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were...
A clear sign that you are seeking holiness is what...
We are at Jesus' disposal. If he wants you to be...
7 tags
Thought for Monday September 5
In God is my safety and my glory. Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. In God is my safety and my glory.
Luke 6: 6 – 11 On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
Do I appreciate the gift of my hands and use them...
"The servant who knows the master's will and does...
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and...
“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I...”
– Matthew 22:8-14
ERODING FAITH?
“You must hold fast to faith, be firmly grounded and steadfast in it, unshaken in the hope promised you by the gospel you have heard.” –Colossians 1:23
Paul told the Colossians the same thing four times. He said that they “must hold fast,” “be firmly grounded,” “steadfast,” and “unshaken.” How firm is your faith in the Lord? Is your...
On this day of your life we believe God wants you...
In any situation you find yourself in, look for truth, search for it deep in your heart. Let that truth of your heart flow, and you will see obstacles melt like ice.
