Month: April 2018

“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool that repeats his folly.” – Proverbs 26:11

Live It! Tip of the Week:
If you have not done so, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and make a firm purpose of amendment. Now consider in prayer where the near occasions of sin are in your life and how you can cut them out. Consider asking a mentor or friend to keep you accountable to the actions you resolve to take and using services like Covenant Eyes. For the full battle plan for purity, click here.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your resurrection makes clear Your victory over all sin and death. You are the Almighty, O Lord, and Your perfect love casts out all fear! Help me to recognize and have true sorrow for my sin, come to You for forgiveness, and take action to amend my ways and join You in the battle against all that is opposed to real love. Amen.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will let you dwell in this place.” – Jeremiah 7:3

Live It! Tip of the Week:
Come to God in prayer and ask for the grace of sorrow for your sins and wisdom to know what specific action you need to take to avoid these sins in the future. Seek the advice of your spouse or a trusted friend or mentor if needed. Then make a firm purpose of amendment to take that action this week, trusting in God’s power and mercy. If you have not done so, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your resurrection makes clear Your victory over all sin and death. You are the Almighty, O Lord, and Your perfect love casts out all fear! Help me to recognize and have sorrow for my sin, come to You for forgiveness, and take action to amend my ways and join You in the battle against all that is opposed to real love. Amen.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

Live It! Tip of the Week:
Make a plan to head to the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. Consider where you may be feeling weak and prone to more serious sin. Remember that the Sacrament not only confers the grace of forgiveness of past sins but also the grace to fight the particular sins we confess in the future! Don’t wait until you “need” it; make it a habit!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your resurrection makes clear Your victory over all sin and death. You are the Almighty, O Lord, and Your perfect love casts out all fear! Help me to abandon myself ever more to You and to receive the graces You so ardently desire to give me. Amen.

“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35

Live It! Tip of the Week:
In this Easter week, reflect on how the victory of Christ over sin and death encompasses the suffering in your life as well. Truly, Christ is with us in our suffering and, through His grace, that suffering carries an incredible redemptive power. Look to the risen Christ to see the manifestation of that victory.

Prayer
Jesus, I know you were/are with me in [insert specific hurt or suffering here] and that, joined to your cross, this suffering carries an incredible power. I ask for the grace to believe the words in Psalm 34, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” I offer up this suffering to you for the sake of [specific person or intention here] and through your mother Mary’s intercession. Blessed be your name! Amen.