Saturday, March 31, 2012

March 31: Our North Star

Readings:

Ezekiel 37.21-28
John 11.45-56

Reflection:

When we view everything in relation to our call to become
the-best-version-of-ourselves, everything finds meaning.

March 30: Growing in Knowledge

Readings:

Jeremiah 20.10-13
John 10.31-42

Reflection:

God, guide me as I expand my knowledge of Catholicism. I long to know
you and defend my faith.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

March 29: Growing in Faith

Readings:

Genesis 17.3-9
John 8.51-59

Reflection:

Identify the taching of the Church you find most difficult, then study it.
Approach this humbly.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

March 28: Models and Mentors

Readings:

Daniel 3.14-20, 91-92, 95
John 8.31-42

Reflections:

God, allow me to learn from thsoe inspired with your Word, so that I'm
willing to improve myself each day.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

March 27: Touched By Jesus

Readings:

Numbers 21.4-9
John 8.21-30

Reflection:

May the words of the Gospels penetrate my hard heart and
narrow-mindedness.

Monday, March 26, 2012

March 26: 15 Minutes a Day

Readings:
Daniel 13.1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
John 8.1-11

Reflection:
Just 15 minutes of spiritual reading every day can stir your soul. Thank God for the beauty and bounty of words.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Lent: A Path To Virtue

This week, the reflections will focus on the pillar of Spiritual Reading.

Readings:
Jeremiah 31.31-34
Hebrews 5.7-9
John 12.20-33


Reflection:
Reading is to the mind what prayer is to the soul. Spiritual reading ignites our desire to grow in virtue.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

March 24: Holding Fast

Readings:




Reflection:




God of perseverance and strength, I put my faith and trust in you. I
know it's difficult to fast, but I will not give up.

March 23: Fasting, Feasting

Readings:



Wisdom 2.1a, 12-22
John 7.1-2, 10, 25-30


Reflections:


Fasting is to the body wht prayer is to the soul. Fasting is the prayer of
the bod. Bodily fasting leads to spiritual feasting.

March 22: Rewards of Discipline

Readings:

Exodus 32.7-14
John 5.31-47

Reflection:

God of discipline and self-possession, help me control my longings and cravings. With fasting and discipline, help me become the-best-version-of-myself.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

March 21: Christian Practice

Readings:

Isaiah 49.8-15
John 5.17-30

Reflection:

God of fasting and almsgiving, accept all that I have and all that I am
willing to give up in honor of your love.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

March 20: Turning Back to God

Readings:

Ezekiel 47.1-9, 12
John 5.1-6

Reflection:

Fasting that involves no conversion of the heart is useless. What can
I give up today that will help me turn back to God?

Monday, March 19, 2012

March 19: Prayer and Fasting

Readings:
Isaiah 65.17-21
John 4.43-54

Reflection:
We fast to cultivate the inner life. Authentic fasting draws us nearer to God and opens our hearts to receive God's many gifts.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Fourth Sunday of Lent - Yearning for Love

This week's reflections will revolve around the pillar of Fasting.




Readings:




Reflection:




May my resolve strengthen, my stony heart be broken and my mind become more
focused on our loving God.

March 17: Ever Fresh, Ever New

Readings:




Reflection:




The Word of God deserves to be approached with reverence and awe. It
is constantly new and fresh.

March 16: Stories of and for All

Readings:


Hosea 14.2-10
Mark 12.28-34




The Bible tells of people who have tried and succeeded or struggled and
failed in their quest to walk with God. What stories direct your
life?

March 15: The Gospel Challenge

Readings:


Jeremiah 7.23-28
Luke 11.14-23

Reflection:


Examine the ways you live, love, work, think and speak in light of the
Gospels. Don't adopt a gospel of convenience.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

March 14: Scripture, Our Guide

Readings:

Deuteronomy 4.1, 5-9
Matthew 5.17-19

Reflection:

How has Scripture helped yo uthrough the difficult times in your
life?

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

March 13: Rich Gifts

Readings:

Reflection:
Through many people, ages, languages and styles, God has revealed his Word and truth to the world.

March 12: Our Catholic Tradition

Readings:

Reflection:
Thank God for revealing himself to us in creation, the Scriptures, and the life of the Church.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Third Sunday of Lent: Spirit and Life

This week the reflections will revolve around the pillar of The Bible.

Readings:

Reflection:
Ask God to help you make the Bible an integral part of your life. Prayerfully reflect on the truth God sets before us.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

March 10: A Gift for Us

Readings:

Reflection:
The Mass is designed to help us. God gives us rest, renewal and communion with him and others through the Mass.

Friday, March 9, 2012

March 9: Delivered from Evil

Readings:

Genesis 37.3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Matthew 21.33-43, 45-46

Reflection:

God of peace and serenity, protect me from all anxiety. Guide me to
make good choices, so that I may not sin.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

March 8: Reminders

Readings:

Jeremiah 17.5-10
Luke 16.19-31

Reflections:

We're pilgrims on a journey, called to be responsible stewards of our own
lives and mindful of the needs of others.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

March 7: Giving, Receiving

Readings:

Jeremiah 18.18-20
Matthew 20.17-28

Reflection:

We go to Mass to give ourselves to God and, in return, to receive
God. Open your heart, mind and soul to God.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

March 6: Looking Ahead

Readings:

Isaiah 1.10, 16-20
Matthew 23.1-12

Reflection:

Read and reflect upon the coming Sunday's Gospel (John 2.13-25). Pick
a word or phrase that jumps out at you. If the Word is to transform us, we
need to allow it to sink into our lives through repetition and reflection.

Monday, March 5, 2012

March 5: Soothing Waters

Readings:

Reflection:
To transform our lives, God's Word needs to linger in our minds and sink its roots deep into our hearts.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Second Sunday of Lent: Why Mass? Why Not!

This week the reflections will focus on the Mass.

Readings:

Genesis 22.1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Romans 8.31b-34
Mark 9.2-10

Reflection:

Mass isn't irrelevant to our lives; maybe it's our lives that are
irrelevant to the Mass.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

March 3: The Deep Places

Readings:

Reflection:
God challenges us to abandon our doubts and fears and cast our nets into the deep waters of the spiritual life.

Friday, March 2, 2012

March 2: Gentle Dialogue

Readings:

Ezekiel 18.21-28
Matthew 5.20-26

Reflection:

Are you concerned that you don't know how to pray? In your heart, say to God: I don't know how to pray. You've already begun praying. Open your heart in a gentle dialogue.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

March 1: The Abiding Question

Readings:

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Matthew 7:7-12

Reflection:

The saints all asked: God, what do you think I should do? When you
ask the same question, you'll discover your mission.