Daily Thought from The Saints
“God loves those who think him even in suffering.”
— St. Arnold Janssen
Daily Scripture Verse
“It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.”
Jeremiah 10:12
Daily Meditation
“I believe that if those souls that tend towards sanctity were instructed as to the conduct they ought to follow, they would be spared a good deal of trouble. I speak as much of people in the world as of others. If they could realize the merit concealed in the actions of each moment of the day: I mean in each of the daily duties of their state in life… They would indeed be happy. If, besides, they understood that to attain the utmost height of perfection, the safest and surest way is to accept the crosses sent them by Providence at every moment that the true philosopher’s stone is submission to the will of God which changes into Divine Gold all their occupations, troubles, and sufferings, what consolation would be theirs! What courage would they not derive from the thought that to acquire the friendship of God, and to arrive at eternal glory, they had but to do what they were doing, but to suffer what they were suffering, and that what they wasted and counted as nothing would suffice to enable them to arrive at eminent sanctity: Far more so than extraordinary states and wonderful works.”
—Fr. Jean-Pierre De Caussade
Daily Catholic Wisdom
If you fall under the stress of temptation, rise promptly, ask God’s pardon, hope in him in spite of your fall, and with all your heart welcome the humiliation and detest the sin. Your uncertainty as to whether you sin or not is another cross that you must also bear with perfect resignation.
—St. Claude de la Colombière
from the book “The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude de la Colombière”
A Prayer from Notre Dame University
Rev. Gabriel J. Griggs, C.S.C.
Lord, many of your teachings and acts of love are hidden from us. Nevertheless, we believe that with the aid of the Holy Spirit, our eyes and hearts will be open to the truth of your person and your salvific mission. Send your Spirit upon us that we may see with the eyes of children and thereby see your kingdom as it takes hold here on earth. Enkindle in our hearts a desire for you and your kingdom, and we shall be made new. Amen.
The Abbot’s Daily Lectio Divina
Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB, St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL
2 Timothy 1:9-10
Reading
He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Meditation
The fact that God called us ‘not according to our works but according to his own design’ is great news. First, we do not have to worry that, because we are sinful, God will reject us. We must strive for holiness, but God’s call does not depend on us being perfect already. Second, this shows us how much He loves us. Of His own free choice, that is, out of His own design and not anyone else’s urging, He calls us. His love for us is that real.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for Your love! May I live in it always. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contemplation…