Daily Thought from the Saints
"You must make a sound and firm resolution to submit yourselves totally to His will and, with a lively and steadfast faith, to receive from Him what you have to do for love of Him. And in this (whatever may happen) to persevere with constancy to the very end."
— St. Angela Merici
Daily Scripture Verse
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Daily Meditation
"I worry some of you still have not really met Jesus—one to one—you and Jesus alone. We may spend time in the chapel—but have you seen with the eyes of your soul how He looks at you with love? Do you really know the living Jesus—not from books but from being with Him in your heart? Have you heard the loving words He speaks to you? Ask for the grace; He is longing to give it. Until you can hear Jesus in the silence of your own heart, you will not be able to hear Him saying 'I Thirst' in the hearts of the poor. Never give up this daily intimate contact with Jesus as the real living person—not just the idea."
— Saint Mother Teresa
Daily Catholic Wisdom
The contemplative life is not a withdrawal away from the rest of the life of the soul, especially the will and the emotions, but the fulfillment of all three of its powers. The contemplative withdraws from the world in a way but not from his own humanity; indeed, he withdraws from the world precisely in order to enter more deeply and completely into his own humanity.
—Peter Kreeft
from his book, “Practical Theology: Spiritual Direction from Saint Thomas Aquinas”
A Prayer from Notre Dame University
Rev. Brad Metz, C.S.C.
God of all strength and consolation, you hear those who cry out to you in their need. Though we face darkness and rough seas, you never let your faithful people be overcome. You send us your Son to walk with us in the storms that threaten our journey. Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. Grant this through Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
The Abbot’s Daily Lectio Divina
Abbot Austin Murphy, O.S.B., St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL
Acts 6:2-4
Reading
The Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Meditation
The Apostles assign deacons to tend to the community’s needs, so that they may remain devoted to ‘prayer and the ministry of the word.’ Thus, prayer and preaching are of primary importance. But administering the community, with its needs and amid its tensions, is also important. Otherwise, the Apostles would not have arranged this solution. The peace and spiritual well being of the community is a good in itself and important as a witness to the world.
Prayer
Lord, grant peace and holiness to Your people, so that we may enjoy You among us and so that we may bear greater witness to the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contemplation…