Forget Me Not

Reflect, today, upon how authentic and how certain your faith is.  Reflect upon Jesus asking you this question.  Will He find faith in your heart?  Let your “Yes” to Him grow and commit yourself to a deeper embrace of all that He reveals to you each and every day.  Don’t be afraid to seek out His voice so that you can say “Yes” to all He reveals.

Reflect, today, upon how ready and willing you are to give complete control of your life to our merciful God.  Do you trust Him enough to let Him take complete control?  Make this act of faith in the most sincere way that you can and watch as He begins to preserve you and help you flourish in a way that only God can do.

Reflect, today, upon the presence of the Kingdom of God present among you.  Do you see it in your heart?  Do you daily invite Jesus to rule your life?  Do you acknowledge Him as your Lord?  And do you see the ways He comes to you through your daily circumstances, in others and in your daily situations?  Seek Him out constantly and this will bring joy to your heart.

Reflect, today, upon the righteous anger God may want to put into your heart at times.  Again, be careful to discern it correctly.  Do not allow yourself to be deceived by this passion.  Rather, allow the love of God for others to be the driving force and allow a holy hatred for sin to direct you to act in a holy and just way.

Reflect, today, upon your motivation for loving service to others.  Try to speak these words of the Gospel within the context of your life.  It may be hard at first, but if you can serve with the mind that you are an “unprofitable servant” and that you have done nothing more than what you were “obliged to do,” then you will find that your charity takes on a whole new depth.

Reflect, today, upon the act of asking for forgiveness and offering it to another.  We are all given numerous opportunities every day to forgive and seek forgiveness.  Do not hesitate in doing so and you will be grateful you did.

Lord, may I always be ready to greet You when You come.  I thank You for Your perfect promise of raising all from the dead and bringing forth new life.  Use me to gather many into this future and glorious Kingdom, dear Lord

Reflect, today, upon your tendency to worry about what others think about you.  Know that God wants you to live an honest life by which you present yourself in the truth.  Do not be like the Pharisees who were obsessed with the flattering and false images others had of them.  Worry only about living in the truth and what is in the heart of God and leave the rest to Him.  In the...

Reflect, today, upon your priorities in life.  Are you focused on building up riches that are eternal?  Or do you continually find yourself caught up in the manipulations and shrewdness that has as a goal only worldly success?  Strive for that which is eternal and you will be eternally grateful.

Reflect, today, upon how you look at and treat those whose sins are somewhat manifest.  Do you treat them with mercy?  Or do you react with disdain and act with a judgmental heart?  Recommit yourself to mercy and a complete lack of judgment.  Judgment is Christ’s to give, not yours.  You are called to mercy and compassion.  If you can offer just that, you will be much...

All Souls Day is a holy day set aside for honoring the dead. According to Catholic belief, the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The intermediate option is purgatory, wh...

Merciful Father, we ask that You have pity on those who are being purified in Purgatory, especially those who did not look upon their neighbor with dignity and love because of the deadly sin of lust.

As we celebrate the Commemoration of All Souls, let’s reflect upon our Church teaching on Purgatory. The following excerpt is from Chapter 8 of My Catholic Faith!

Merciful Father, we ask that You have pity on those who are being purified in Purgatory, especially those who were unsatisfied in life because of the deadly sin of gluttony.

O holy saints who were married during your earthly life, whose marriage on Earth prefigured the wedding feast in Heaven, you knew how to grow in holiness through the joys and sorrows of married and family life. Intercede on my behalf that I may recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary course of family life. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy priests, monks, and nuns, who dedicated your lives to the service of God and His Church through religious vows, you were God’s hands and feet on Earth. Intercede on my behalf that I may have a greater devotion and desire to frequent the Sacraments. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy simple servants of God, who radiate holiness through your genuine humility, you embraced your identity as God’s instruments. Intercede on my behalf that I may be emptied and purified so as to be a vessel consecrated for God’s work. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy Doctors of the Church, who composed writings that enriched and clarified Church teaching, you used your gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and articulation to preserve the Truth of the Church throughout history. Intercede on my behalf that I may use the gifts that God has given me to bring everyone I encounter closer to Christ. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy mystics, whose lives were spent in union with God through contemplative prayer and devotion, be my model of holiness through prayer. Intercede on my behalf that I may grow in perseverance in contemplative prayer. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy martyrs, who died for your faith as loyal servants of God, thank you for your courage and sacrifice, which helped to enable the Gospel to reach me. Intercede on my behalf that I may grow in courage and faith, that I may be steadfast in my devotion to God even in the face of death. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy Apostles, those who were first called by Jesus to be His followers, you demonstrate what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. Intercede on my behalf that I may be more disposed to the Spirit you received at Pentecost, so that I may be eager to grow as a disciple of Christ. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy angels, who have been steadfast servants of God since before the world was formed, watch over us and guide us in our everyday lives that we may grow in holiness. Intercede on my behalf that I may grow in fortitude to always choose to follow God as you have. I ask that you place before God my petitions.

O holy Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, be my mother and guide me to a life of holiness that I may one day join you and your Son in Heaven for all eternity. Intercede on my behalf that I may be a student of your humility and purity. I ask that you place before your Son my petitions.

Today we honor those holy men and women who have gone before us in faith and have done so in a glorious way.  As we honor these great champions of faith, let’s reflect upon who they are and what role they continue to play in the life of the Church.  The following excerpt is from Chapter 8 of My Catholic Faith!:

Merciful Father, we ask that You have pity on those who are being purified in Purgatory, especially those who were discontent in life because of the deadly sin of greed.