Let Prayer Transform Your Christmas

November 29, 2016

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances
for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ in you.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Advent Meditation
When Mary relayed the news that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, it understandably caused a fair amount of turmoil in St. Joseph’s life.

What was St. Joseph’s response? He took it to prayer. It as after St. Joseph started praying about what to do that God responded by sending him an angel in a dream.

As the time crunch set in during this Advent season, don’t let busyness replace prayer. Let’s work to imitate St. Joseph, and build prayer into our daily routines. Find prayers that are right for you and your family. Stick with it, and prayer will transform you and your Christmas.

Prayer for Advent
Father in Heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love, and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of His coming may find us rejoicing in His presence and welcoming the light of His truth. We ask this in the name of
Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
The Sacramentary (New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1985)

Journey through Advent with St. Joseph

November 22, 2016

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

Advent Meditation
There is a Grinch that is stealing Christmas, and it’s not the one from Dr. Seuss’ story. During the Christmas season, it is easy to get wrapped up in buying gifts, attending special events, sending cards and more, and forget to take time to quiet our hearts and minds in preparation for the coming of our Savior.

Over the next few weeks, we will follow St. Joseph as he prepared for that very first Christmas. We will see that he prepared with prayer, with a vision that goes beyond this world, with family, and with silence. Let’s work to follow his example, so that our Christmas celebrations may be filled with joy.

Prayer for Advent
Father in Heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love, and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of His coming may find us rejoicing in His presence and welcoming the light of His truth. We ask this in the name of
Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
The Sacramentary (New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1985)

Apostles of Mercy

November 15, 2016

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:36

Jubilee Year of Mercy
If we enter deeply into this merciful love, we can begin to experience a foretaste of paradise even now. Our hearts and our homes can be a Paradise where love and mercy conquers all things.

The Jubilee Year of Mercy is coming to a close. Thank you for journeying with Paradisus Dei.  The world awaits merciful Apostles of the New Springtime!

We walked through the Doors of Mercy and lingered here. Now it’s time to go out and shine the light of mercy into a world so desperately in need.

Prayer for Divine Mercy
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelope the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
– Diary of St. Faustina 1319

Live It! Advent Reflection series begins next week
Be on the lookout for the first installment of the Live It! Advent Reflection series beginning next week: Preparation for Advent.

Mercy that Transforms

November 8, 2016

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. – 2 Cor 5:17

Jubilee Year of Mercy
More than penance (which is absolutely necessary), more than piety (which is absolutely necessary), God’s Divine Love has the power to transform us to the very core.

His love is piercing. His love is powerful. His love and mercy can burn away the past and make us new. That’s what God does. He makes all things new.

Prayer for Divine Mercy
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelope the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
– Diary of St. Faustina 1319