Month: July 2018

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

– Isaiah 55:8-9

Live the Faith! Tip of the Week:
“Wonder is the beginning of knowledge,” said Professor John Senior, “the reverent fear that beauty strikes within us.” Have you had an experience that left you in awe of God or of His creation, something that “blew your mind”? Recall this experience in the presence of God and see what spontaneous prayers flow forth.

Prayer:
“Who are You, my dearest Lord, and what am I?”

– St. Francis of Assisi

 

“‘In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him.’”

– John 14:2-7

Live the Faith! Tip of the Week:
St. Paul of the Cross said, “Often contemplate heaven, and fervently exclaim: ‘What a beautiful abode there is above! It is destined for us!’” Take some time this week in prayer to consider the place that God has prepared in His merciful love for you to live forever, and re-commit to following Christ, who goes before us and is truly the way to perfect eternal happiness.

Prayer:
Lord, give us the grace to fix our eyes on you, in your divine glory, so that, in an overflow of joy, we may proclaim the good news of salvation to others here on earth.

“Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.””

– John 8:31-32

Live the Faith! Tip of the Week:
Reflect on Pope St. John Paul II’s words, “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.” Consider which “wing” needs to be strengthened in your life so that you may know God – and yourself – more fully.

Prayer:
Lord, you said, “I am the Truth.” I pray that in seeking the truth, I may find you and grow to know you better and love you more. Amen.

“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

– Genesis 2:24

Live the Faith! Tip of the Week:
Find a time this week to have a spiritual conversation with your spouse. It does not have to be complicated and can start with a simple question like “What are you thankful for today?” and go from there. Let the conversation bind you closer spiritually so that your hearts can truly grow together in your love for God the Father.

Prayer:
“O God, look now with favor on these your servants, joined together in Marriage, who ask to be strengthened by your blessing. Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit and pour your love into their hearts, that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant.”
– Excerpt from the Nuptial Blessing

““But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:10

Live the Faith! Tip of the Week:
What weekly or daily commitments have you made to the Lord or to your family? What desires do they stem from? Recall these desires and renew these commitments this week. By staying true to our plan of life day in and day out, we put ourselves in the optimal space to receive and cooperate with the graces God desires to give us.

Prayer:
O merciful God, grant that I may desire ardently, search prudently, recognize truly, and bring to perfect completion whatever is pleasing to You for the praise and glory of Your name.
Put my life in good order, O my God…
Give to me, O Lord my God, understanding of You, diligence in seeking You, wisdom in finding You, discourse ever pleasing to You, perseverance in waiting for You, and confidence in finally embracing You.
You Who live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.
– St. Thomas Aquinas