Month: August 2017

“Let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
-Romans 13:13-14

Meditation

St. Augustine was not born a saint. His Confessions tell of the myriad of sins he committed from youth into his early adulthood.

Even so, Augustine knew deep down that the life he was leading was not what God had intended for him—it was during this time that he famously prayed, “Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet.”

If we are honest with ourselves, sometimes the prayers we pray are not terribly different. We want to experience spiritual progress, but we are not ready to give up certain comforts or pleasures.

In order to dedicate our lives totally God, we have to name those things that are holding us back from him. We have to beg for God’s grace. Most of all, we must be truly willing to actively pursue God.

Live It! Tip of the Week: Identify the things in your life that are holding you back from God. Confess them, receive God’s grace, and be willing to cut those sins out of your life. No more tomorrow, tomorrow. Today is the day!

Prayer

“Speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear you, and say to my soul: ‘I am your salvation.’ After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of you. Hide not your face from me.”
–From “Act of Hope” by St. Augustine

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
-Acts 20:32

Meditation

Like we said a few weeks ago —vocations do not fall from a tree! Statistics suggest there’s something that can be done to help foster vocations at the parish level.

A staggering 80% of the seminarians in Houston came from the 20% of parishes that promote vocations. That should jolt us all! What can we do to help foster vocations in our own parishes?

Rhonda Gruenwald’s book, Hundredfold, and the website www.vocationministry.com serve as ‘how-tos’ for prayer and vocation promotion at your parish. Whether you want to pursue vocational ministry through prayer, an apostolate, or any other format, it’s all laid out in a simple way through those resources. The best part: it can all be done by lay people with the guidance of a priest!

Live It! Practical Tip of the Week: Begin praying for vocations from
your parish!

Prayer

Father you call each one of us by name and ask us to follow you.

Bless your church by raising up dedicated and generous leaders from our families and friends who will serve your people as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons, and Lay Ministers.

Inspire us as we grow to know you, and open our hearts to hear your call.

We ask this in Jesus name,
Amen.

“And he said to them, “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to
the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took
her to his own home.”
-John 19:26-27

Meditation
“Disciple, behold your mother.” The Church has always recognized that Jesus didn’t say “John, behold your mother,” but “Disciple.” If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you have received Mary as your mother. The Assumption of Mary seals this motherhood for all disciples.

The Blessed Virgin Mary had such profound faith that even when she saw her son being crucified before her, she knew that there would be a resurrection. Because all disciples are Mary’s spiritual children, we know that she cares for us in the same way.

When you are going through a difficult moment in your life, you have a mother in Mary who loves you and has the faith to pray for your
resurrection as well.

Live It! Tip of the Week: Stay close to Mary, and know that when you are in the midst of a crucifixion, she is already praying for your resurrection.

Prayer

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

 

“And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
-Matthew 4:19-20

Meditation
What can we practically do to encourage vocations for our children?

We need to encourage them to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
One way that we can encourage that relationship is by encouraging them in prayer. Prayer is so important because it gives Jesus plenty of time
to speak to them.

Another great, practical way to encourage vocations is by asking your kids not what they are going to do, but how they are going to serve. This language opens them up to thinking about vocation instead of just career paths.  At the end of the day, if God wants our ultimate happiness, he will bring us to that through our vocation, whether that’s through marriage and a career, or entrance into the priesthood or religious life.

Finally, always speak kindly about priests and religious life, and if possible, try to have a relationship with them! Invite your parish priest or any religious life at your parish to dinner in your home. Allow your children to spend time with them so that they can see the joy of saying “yes!” to the Lord.

Live It! Tip of the Week: Try to make it a habit to pray with your children
every night.

Prayer
Father you call each one of us by name and ask us to follow you.

Bless your church by raising up dedicated and generous leaders from our families and friends who will serve your people as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons, and
Lay Ministers.

Inspire us as we grow to know you, and open our hearts to hear your call.

We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.