By Francis Fernández
The Lord is always willing to listen to us and to give us whatever we need in any situation. His goodness is always in excess of our calculations. But it requires a corresponding response on our part, with a desire to get out of the situation we are in.
According to the famous opening line of Anna Karenina, happy families are all alike while every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Tolstoy’s lack of interest in ordinary family life seems to be widely shared among authors of literary classics.
You will show me the path of life; the fulness of joy in your presence, O Lord. [1147]
Jesus uses different images to teach us that the path that leads to Life, to holiness, consists in the full development of the spiritual life. He speaks of the tiny mustard seed which grows into a great tree
I will still wear my pajama pants when necessary, but they'll serve to remind me of the insight I've been given... And I will also keep a pair of non-Minnie Mouse head pants nearby just in case.
Without humility and a spirit of service there can be no effectiveness and it is quite impossible to practise charity. Without humility there is no holiness, for Jesus does not want conceited self-centred friends in his service: the instruments of God are always humble.
What do I have to offer that is worthwhile for others to read? What words can I write that have not already been penned? Is there anything original left to say? Is it vain to try?
This is what was swirling in my head as I sat uninspired at the desktop computer, trying to come up with some thing that would honor God, reveal some small truth, or encourage someone to find meaning in life, or a way to serve the Lord, in my column.
This meeting and gathering of people on market-day offers us the possibility of propsing to you, dear brothers, some words of the Gospel. For the realities of this world are a figure of the spiritual, and the things of the earth are an image of those of Heaven.
Holy angels, our guardians, defend us in our fight so that we do not perish at the final judgement.[924] Let us ask Our Lady, Regina Angelorum, to teach us to get to know our angels, particularly during this Lent.
By Theresa Thomas
live more naturally. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier, following nature’s cycle of darkness and light. Kreeft says this aids in simplicity because the things people do in the morning are usually simple things
I admit it. Lent scares me a little. It started when I told a priest that I wasn't sure if I was giving up enough for Lent.
