Month: February 2017

“But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the voice of my prayer.”
–Psalm 66:19

Meditation

This edition of Live It! begins a series of seven Live It! weekly videos focusing on Lent.  Specifically, this series will offer practical tips on prayer.

Each year during Lent, the Church asks us to focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Without a doubt, the one that most people struggle with is prayer. We know how to give up alcohol or caffeine or tobacco or sugar. We know how to make contributions to a worthy charity.  But we all seem to struggle with prayer.

We can spend a lot of time talking about it.  We can spend a lot of time reading about it. But, at the end of the day we need to go practice it!

Prayer for Lent
O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You. For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

“He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins
of any, they are retained.”
–John 20: 22-23

Meditation – Step 7: Make it Easy to be Good and Hard to be Bad

We said our goal was to give practical spiritual resolutions to start the new year. This week is simple. It’s two words – Monthly Confession.

Make monthly confession a part of your spiritual life. In the hectic nature of our modern lives, having the intention and actually planning it is half the battle or more so let’s do it right now. It takes about 15 seconds to schedule it.

Receiving the gift of mercy will transform your life and your spiritual life.

We started this New Year’s series by saying that the secret to a happy
life is to live a holy life. Let’s resolve to make 2017 our happiest and
holiest year yet!

Prayer for the New Year
Remember us, O God; from age to age be our comforter.
You have given us the wonder of time, blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.
Bless your children at the turning of the year and fill the months ahead with the bright hope that is ours in the coming of Christ. You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever. Amen.
—From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
–Matthew 18:20

Meditation – Step 6: Find God in Others

How can I work on my spiritual life when I’m drowning in the daily grind of work and with the needs of my family?

God says – Bingo! Right There! What if every time your baby cries or every time your child needs you, you hear the voice of God in disguise?

As for your spouse, sacramental marriage is sealed in the name of the Holy Trinity. By definition, God is in the midst of your union.

If we have the eyes to see it, we can live immersed in God’s presence all day every day.

Prayer for the New Year
Remember us, O God; from age to age be our comforter.
You have given us the wonder of time, blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.
Bless your children at the turning of the year and fill the months ahead with the bright hope that is ours in the coming of Christ. You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever. Amen.
—From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers

“I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him
who is of a contrite and humble spirit.”
–Isaiah 57:15

Meditation – Step 5: Find God in Yourself

Whether you know it, feel it, or experience it, by virtue of your Baptism God dwells within you in the name of the Holy Spirit.

So what do you do with this powerful love that can literally transform
the world?

Let this reality be born in your home. Let it come alive in the secret, in the quiet, in the humility that no one will see.

You can take this power within you and do one practical thing every single day…bestow this blessing on your children. Bless them everyday.

The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. – Numbers 6:24-26

Prayer for the New Year
Remember us, O God; from age to age be our comforter.
You have given us the wonder of time, blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.
Bless your children at the turning of the year and fill the months ahead with the bright hope that is ours in the coming of Christ. You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever. Amen.
—From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers