Archive for April, 2008

…for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"

April 4, 2008

When: Friday, April 04, 2008 12:00 AM to Saturday, April 05, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29

But you want to live a life of piety, a life above the common, and enjoy the special favor of the divine Master? You will have more to do. You advance in dignity, advance also in virtue; your obligations are more numerous. The Savior, Who loves you more and gives you more graces, demands more of you.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Abba, Father, Lord God, today I wake feeling content in seeking Your presence, putting You above all and knowing that all I have is given to me by You. The words of the Palmist pierce my heart today for I feel these words. For You are 'my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?' You are my 'stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?' 'One thing have I asked of You, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life, to behold the Your beauty, and to inquire in Your temple. I believe that I shall see Your goodness in the land of the living!' Knowing that while I will suffer from doubt and fear failure, the joy and peace – contentment that I experience with You is worth the walk. So I ask that You will continue to bless me indeed and that Your hand will be with me to keep me from evil and from causing pain. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Acts 5:34-42<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Acts&ch=5&bv1=34&ev1=42>

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=27&bv1=1&ev1=1&bv2=4&ev2=4&bv3=13&ev3=14>

John 6:1-15<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=6&bv1=1&ev1=15>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Papal Visit<http://www.uspapalvisit.org/>

…for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"

April 4, 2008

When: Friday, April 04, 2008 11:00 AM-11:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29

But you want to live a life of piety, a life above the common, and enjoy the special favor of the divine Master? You will have more to do. You advance in dignity, advance also in virtue; your obligations are more numerous. The Savior, Who loves you more and gives you more graces, demands more of you.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Abba, Father, Lord God, today I wake feeling content in seeking Your presence, putting You above all and knowing that all I have is given to me by You. The words of the Palmist pierce my heart today for I feel these words. For You are 'my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?' You are my 'stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?' 'One thing have I asked of You, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life, to behold the Your beauty, and to inquire in Your temple. I believe that I shall see Your goodness in the land of the living!' Knowing that while I will suffer from doubt and fear failure, the joy and peace – contentment that I experience with You is worth the walk. So I ask that You will continue to bless me indeed and that Your hand will be with me to keep me from evil and from causing pain. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Acts 5:34-42<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Acts&ch=5&bv1=34&ev1=42>

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=27&bv1=1&ev1=1&bv2=4&ev2=4&bv3=13&ev3=14>

John 6:1-15<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=6&bv1=1&ev1=15>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Papal Visit<http://www.uspapalvisit.org/>

Faith. It is a pity to see how frequently many Christians have it on their lips and yet how sparingly they put it into their actions. You would think it a virtue to be preached only, and not one to be practiced.

April 3, 2008

When: Thursday, April 03, 2008 12:00 AM to Friday, April 04, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

"I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true; there is another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen; and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent. You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men. But I know that you have not the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"

John 5:30-47

Faith. It is a pity to see how frequently many Christians have it on their lips and yet how sparingly they put it into their actions. You would think it a virtue to be preached only, and not one to be practiced.

— St. Josemaria Escriva

Abba, Father, Lord God, I believe and yet fight off doubt. I say I know, but yet I do not always do. This is the challenge of my walk under the sun; to believe through faith, to use the hope that faith produces to fight off doubt, and to use love not fear to do, do Your will, by seeking Your will. For if I can grow in faith, my hope will grow and if I walk in love, I will have what I need to reflect that which I seek, the image of Jesus Christ who lives through the Holy Spirit within me. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Acts 5:27-33<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Acts&ch=5&bv1=27&ev1=33>

Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=34&bv1=2&ev1=2&bv2=9&ev2=9&bv3=17&ev3=20>

John 3:31-36<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=3&bv1=31&ev1=36>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Papal Visit<http://www.uspapalvisit.org/>

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

April 3, 2008

When: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 12:00 AM to Thursday, April 03, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

John 3:11-12

When it's God Who is speaking … the proper way to behave is to imitate someone who has an irresistible curiosity and who listens at keyholes. You must listen to everything God says at the keyhole of your heart.

— St. John Vianney

Abba, Father, Lord God, I look back at yesterday with some confusion; for I feel interaction with You was real, yet I see that it is only know that I write You in pray as I journal my time with You. Can it be that without though I experienced what I have been asking? Is it that in my shame, You comforted me? Once again I try to limit my questions of You and not asked why, but instead seek how? How can I spend each day this way? How can I capture this experience each day? Is it as simple as accepting I am weak and cannot stop or start own my own? I must be in You and keep You in me. Is it there something I must do; or do I just let it happen. Or is this just to fruit of having surrounded and submersed myself in You and Your word? O Abba, Father, do I fear You or fear letting You down. The consequences are clear, but dark. I want to be all You want me to be in Jesus Christ and seek to please You not fear You; to accept the light, knowing I will stumble and fall, make bad choices and do bad things. But always with You in my heart, always seeking Your forgiveness and always asking Your help and seeking Jesus' image above all. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I pray, Amen.

Acts 5:17-26<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Acts&ch=5&bv1=17&ev1=26>

Psalm 34:2-9<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=34&bv1=2&ev1=9>

John 3:16-21<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=3&bv1=16&ev1=21>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Papal Visit<http://www.uspapalvisit.org/>

`You must be born anew.’

April 1, 2008

When: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, April 02, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

John 3:7-8

Many people would like to attain union with God but they cannot bear the contradictions he sends them. They hate the sickness which strikes them, or the poverty they suffer, or the insults they receive. Since they cannot be resigned, they never succeed in reaching total union with God.

— St. Alphonsus Liguori

Abba, Father, Lord God, while I die to myself many times each day, I rise in the hope of being born anew. For while there is much I do not know about heaven and earth, I stand most convicted about all I do not know about myself. So I continue to look within, not for answers but for You. For of the things I know, I know that You live within me and I live with the hope that I will find and liken myself to that image of You in Jesus Christ which waits to be brought out in my thoughts, my words, my actions, my prayers and reflected in my walk. I know I stumble and I fall, but much worse is the thought that I chose or knowingly I allowed myself to think, say or do something that I know and or feel shames me in Your eyes and causing me to want to hide. But from this too I know that I will and must rise, never returning to the state where I accepted being separated from You. This I pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Acts 4:32-37<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Acts&ch=4&bv1=32&ev1=37>

Psalm 93:1-2, 5<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=93&bv1=1&ev1=2&bv2=5&ev2=5>

John 3:7-15<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=3&bv1=7&ev1=15>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Papal Visit<http://www.uspapalvisit.org/>

For with God nothing will be impossible.

April 1, 2008

When: Monday, March 31, 2008 12:00 AM to Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

"Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God, 'as it is written of me in the roll of the book."

Hebrews 10:5-7

When the Lord knows that good health is necessary for our soul's welfare, He sends it to us; and when we need sickness, He sends that too. Sickness makes us discover who we are.

— St. Theresa of Avila

Abba, Father, Lord God, today once again I feel the power of Your Words. For weeks I fight of sickness to the point of regret and doubt, then I see in Your Words the errors of my ways and once again You convict and remind me that all is according to Your will and that even when I think I seek Your will I do not let Your will be and grow within me. Simply put as I look back I see that I remove myself from the moment with You and try to place myself where I think or feel I should be rather that embrace where You my Lord God have placed me. So today I start in this time with You so that I may be filled with Your Words, the teaching of Jesus, and the presence of the Spirit, so that tonight when lay down to close my eyes I can look back and know I walked every step in Your presence, that moment when all I am and all I do is with and because of You being in that moment with me. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Isaiah 7:10-14<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Is_&ch=7&bv1=10&ev1=14>

Psalm 40:7-11<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=40&bv1=7&ev1=11>

Hebrews 10:4-10<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Heb&ch=10&bv1=4&ev1=10>

Luke 1:26-38<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Luke&ch=1&bv1=26&ev1=38>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Papal Visit<http://www.uspapalvisit.org/>

One is as much as he is in the sight of God, and no more.

April 1, 2008

When: Sunday, March 30, 2008 12:00 AM to Monday, March 31, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

John 20:29

Here is one of the best means to acquire humility; fix well in mind this maxim: One is as much as he is in the sight of God, and no more.

— St. Francis of Assisi

Abba, Father, Lord God, I have so many questions, yet I try to focus on what I know rather than what I do not. What I know is that I believe in You as my one and only God, I believe in Jesus Christ You Son and my Savior, and I believe in the Holy Spirit. What I do not know is our to overcome my trail of disobedience that lies behind me, the doubt which is I believe the result of that disobedience, and the weakness that my lack of discipline as created within me. So I set myself in Your sight to remind me what I forgot; without You I am nothing and with You I can do anything. Now I just need to put this belief and thought into action. So in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I open myself to You asking that You help me fulfill Your will and purpose for me under the sun, Amen.

Acts 2:42-47<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Acts&ch=2&bv1=42&ev1=47>

Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=118&bv1=2&ev1=4&bv2=13&ev2=15&bv3=22&ev3=24>

1 Peter 1:3-9<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=_1Pet&ch=1&bv1=3&ev1=9>

John 20:19-31<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=John&ch=20&bv1=19&ev1=31>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

Papal Visit<http://www.uspapalvisit.org/>