Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time First Reading: Genesis 2:4B-9, 15-17 At the time when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens— while as yet there was no field shrub on earth and no grass of the field had sprouted, for the LORD God had sent no rain upon the earth and there was no man to till the soil, but a stream was welling up out of the earth and was watering all the surface of the ground— the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. The LORD God gave man this order: "You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die." Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1-2A, 27-28, 29BC-30 R. (1a) O bless the Lord, my soul! Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. R. O bless the Lord, my soul! All creatures look to you to give them food in due time. When you give it to them, they gather it; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. R. O bless the Lord, my soul! If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. R. O bless the Lord, my soul! Gospel: Mark 7:14-23 Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile." When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, "Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) "But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." NAB I’ve always been far more familiar with the first creation story of Genesis—the seven days and seven nights one. Today, though, we get that second creation story. The barren earth. A spring, watering the earth, muddying the ground for God to create the first man out of clay. Wet clay is not something I want to deal with most of the time. It sounds like a lot of mess. And a stream welling up from the ground? That sounds like something unexpected that I can't channel or control. Even if a powerful spring sprays out water that's clear and lovely, it could still crack the foundation of my basement or turn my yard into a swamp. I would simply rather turn a sprinkler on. Tidy and predictable is not always how the Spirit works. Sometimes the growing process is messy. The Holy Spirit wells up to water the whole earth. It spills out over cracked, arid land—turning it into fertile ground, but first, into mud. I would like to be in charge of the water spilling out into my life. I like that sprinkler because I am in charge. I can move it to a new spot where I think the garden really needs it. I can turn it off when everything is done, everything properly hydrated, never wasting resources. But the Water of Creation doesn’t follow my rules. I can’t route it into irrigation or dam it up. That water is flowing into my life whether I think I need it or not. And the ensuing mud and clay needs to be embraced, too. When that stream really gets flowing, I often root my feet down in the clay, resistant to change. Maybe what I need is to let the stream flow through my cracked-earth heart, turning it into clay for God to recreate and breathe life into. [bctt tweet="Tidy and predictable is not always how the Spirit works. // @br1gid"] Where is the mud in your life? Is it fertile ground for God to recreate you? Brigid Hogan is a midwestern graduate student who finds peace in lakes, the Mass, and fiction when she isn’t ensconced in schoolwork. Find out more about her here.

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time First Reading: Genesis 1:20—2:4A God said, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky." And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, "Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth." Evening came, and morning followed–the fifth day. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds." And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed–the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation. Such is the story of the heavens and the earth at their creation. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (2ab) O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth! When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place— What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth! You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet. R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth! All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas. R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth! Gospel: Mark 7:1-13 When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." He went on to say, "How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, 'If someone says to father or mother, "Any support you might have had from me is qorban"' (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things." NAB Most of us come into contact with a lot of other human beings on a daily basis: the people we live with, work with, socialize with, and all the people we interact with every time we run to the store or a doctor’s appointment. It’s easy to only see the ways that people inconvenience us. The baby woke up every three hours during the night; the toddler won’t stop asking for snacks; my husband forgot to get milk on his way home from work. The checkout person is going too slow; the other customer behind me is making annoying small talk; this student didn’t do his assignment; that driver cut me off; my friend didn’t text me back right away. If I’m not careful I could wind up spending the entire day being annoyed with everyone who dares to cross my path, when I should be seeing them for what they really are: beings created in the divine image of God. God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. It’s an easy lie to buy into that I am very important and that everything is about me. But that is a skewing of reality; it’s pride. When I ask the Lord to kill my pride and give me humility instead, I see things as they really are. God is God, the all-powerful Creator. We all are His creation, and as such, all have inherent worth and dignity. When I remind myself of these truths, it’s a lot easier to stop being annoyed with people and start showing them the respect and love they deserve. The Pharisees in today’s Gospel had a skewed and prideful view of reality. They were putting the things of man ahead of the things of God. The First Reading and the Psalm remind us of how truly marvelous God and all His creation are. If anything gets in the way of loving God and His creation, then it’s not worthy of our time and attention. [bctt tweet="We all are His creation, and as such, all have inherent worth and dignity."] Do an examination of your priorities. Is there something that has been keeping you from loving God and honoring His creation? If so, do a small act of kindness for someone, starting with those you are closest with. Anna Coyne is a Saint Paul native, wife, mother, and convert to the Catholic faith. When not chasing after her two young children you can probably find her teaching piano lessons, knitting, tripping over wooden train sets, or writing. Find out more about her here.

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs First Reading: Genesis 1:1-19 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening came, and morning followed–the first day. Then God said, "Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other." And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. God called the dome "the sky." Evening came, and morning followed–the second day. Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear." And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land "the earth," and the basin of the water he called "the sea." God saw how good it was. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it." And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed–the third day. Then God said: "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth." And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed–the fourth day. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1-2A, 5-6, 10 AND 12, 24 AND 35C R. (31b) May the Lord be glad in his works. Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. R. May the Lord be glad in his works. You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever; With the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it; above the mountains the waters stood. R. May the Lord be glad in his works. You send forth springs into the watercourses that wind among the mountains. Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth their song. R. May the Lord be glad in his works. How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all— the earth is full of your creatures; Bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia. R. May the Lord be glad in his works. Gospel: Mark 6:53-56 After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed. NAB At the recommendation of friends I recently started watching the show Madam Secretary. I have really enjoyed it, but watching a television program about the Secretary of State has taught me that there's a lot about the world that I don't know. Almost every episode has me googling something. "Where's Moldova?" "What is the history of the USSR?" "Where is Algeria?" "Were Saint Augustine's parents Italian?" I am sure that between all the humanities, poli sci, and history classes I took through the years I had learned all these things once, but here I am learning them again as if for the first time. The same thing happens in my encounters with God in Scripture. There are stories I have heard so many times before that I have stopped listening because I know the words, I know the story, I know the message. But when I make myself take it in again as if for the first time I am dumbstruck by the power in the imagery, the beauty in the wording, and the intimacy of our Lord. Today's readings are familiar ones, and the message God spoke to my heart in reading them is familiar too, but just like Him they are ever ancient, ever new. In the beginning the world was a messy, scary place and God brought order to the chaos and beauty to the void. In the time of Christ the world was a messy, scary place and Jesus brought hope and healing to the wounded believers. Today the world is a messy, scary place and our loving God still brings order, beauty, hope, and healing to us all. Thanks be to God. Today I will pray for the real Secretary of State, all our government officials, and that I may help in God's work of bringing order, beauty, hope, and healing to the world. [bctt tweet="Our loving God still brings order, beauty, hope and healing to us all. // @BonnieEngstrom"] Can you read the Scriptures anew? Can you approach God's word with that fresh feeling again? Bonnie Engstrom is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. She lives with her husband and six children in central Illinois. You can find out more about her here.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10 Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness to the upright. Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright. He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright. His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. Lavishly he gives to the poor; His justice shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." NAB “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!” I sing to my sweet curly-haired boy. “Hide it under a bush?” I stop, asking him the question, even though he’s too young to answer me. His blue eyes brighten and a big grin comes to his face. “Oh noooooo,” I sing dramatically. He giggles hysterically. It’s his favorite part of the whole song. “I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!” In Saint Mark’s Gospel today, we hear Jesus say: “You are the light of the world.” He is speaking to His disciples, and He is speaking to us. To me and to you—you, personally. You are the light of the world. Most likely you’ve heard this line of Scripture many times; you’ve probably even sung a hymn or two about it. This time I’m asking you not to rush past these all too familiar words of our Lord. I invite you to sit with Jesus for a moment. Hear Him say it to you, as if for the first time: You. Are the light. Of the world. “Me?” You may ask yourself. Yes, you, sister. You are called by Jesus as a disciple of Christ to be light for the world. You are called to share His message and spread His love. Your light is to be “set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.” It is to shine brightly before all. And oh, how the world needs your light. What is so special about this light—your light? Each of us has something uniquely beautiful to share with the world, something good and important. The Christ-light in our hearts was lit at baptism, and we are to guard it. How is your flame burning these days? Is it dim, growing weary from the winds of the world? Is it glowing brightly, strengthened by time spent with Jesus and the graces of the Sacraments? Are you sharing Light with everyone in your life, setting those you meet aflame with His love? Let us shine brightly, sisters, bringing glory to the One who is Light, the One who is Love. [bctt tweet="Let us shine brightly, sisters, bringing glory... // @inendlesssong"] Spend some time in prayer today with this devotion. Ask the Lord to show you where He needs you to shine your light a little more brightly. Do you hide your light under a bushel basket around certain people or in certain situations? Trust that God will give you the grace you need in all the times you seek to bring Him glory and honor. Elise Howe is a devoted wife, momma, and musician currently living in NYC, though she will always be a midwestern gal at heart. You can find out more about her here.

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time First Reading: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21 Brothers and sisters: Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you. May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the Blood of the eternal covenant, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6 R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. He guides me in right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Gospel: Mark 6:30-34 The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. NAB At times we feel pressured. It's like someone is saying, “you can't possibly be happy doing that _______!” Fill in the blank with any ordinary task: changing diapers, caring for an aging family member, spending hours on an excel spreadsheet. They seem to be saying, “you need a vacation from that­­­­­ ________ and soon." Is it true? It depends on our vision, our spirituality. We also feel fragmented. The beeping and buzzing of watches, phones, and other Bluetooth devices have amped up life's symphony. These beeping and buzzing things promised to make life easier. Have they? I believe they can, but only if we use them to this end. Sisters, our First Reading says, “May the God of peace . . . furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.” It reminds me of what Saint Paul says in Ephesians 1:3, “God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” Did you hear it? All. Every. Sisters, we have every grace needed to be able to live our lives as a gift. This is the path to joy and peace. Everything is a gift in Christ Jesus. The air in our lungs is gift. The eyes we are using to read this piece are a gift. Praising Him is our peace. The First Reading today summarizes this spirituality of gratitude and giftedness: “Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Isn’t this amazing? Sisters, we are called to fruitfulness. The fruit of our lives, as beloved daughters of Almighty God, is to continually offer a sacrifice of praise. Let’s ask for the grace to live into this gratitude. Let’s offer every little, tiny moment of our day as a continual sacrifice of praise. This praise gathers and transforms everything, and it lifts our spirits to union with Him. [bctt tweet="Praising Him is our peace. // @SrMariaKim "] As a result, everything that seemed ordinary, even annoying, suddenly becomes a channel of Our Lord's salvific love. Can you find it in your life today? Sister Maria Kim Bui is a Daughter of Saint Paul, women religious dedicated to evangelization in and through the media. She is originally from Tempe, AZ, spent most of her fourteen years in religious life in the northeast, and is part of a bilingual evangelization team of sisters serving in Texas. Find out more about her here.

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time First Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8 Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me? Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8B-9ABC R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid? R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust. R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. For he will hide me in his abode in the day of trouble; He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock. R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Your presence, O LORD, I seek. Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off. R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him." Others were saying, "He is Elijah"; still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets." But when Herod learned of it, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up." Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you." He even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" Her mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. NAB Let brotherly love continue. What precious words of refreshment these are to our souls in this time. In the midst of such hatred and animosity that overwhelms the news and our Facebook feeds it is hard to maintain our peace. It feels impossible to fight against the tide all of the terrible things happening in the world. It feels as if hope is beyond our grasp. Whenever this anxiety threatens to sweep me up, I know that I need to refocus on what I can change in my life right now. And inevitably the things I can change and do better are the very things mentioned in today's reading from the Letter to the Hebrews. I can choose to love the people in my life right now. Maybe I know people in my life who are imprisoned in their own sin, who need to feel love through hospitality? Or maybe I could throw a party for friends who need a little fun in their lives in the doldrums of February? I know that I can focus more on my marriage. I can honor it through kind words, small thoughtful acts of service, maybe even a romantic evening in the marriage bed. As always, I need to check myself when it comes to the value I put in money, possessions, and the idols I make of them. Cultivating contentment in the life I have is a daily practice that can make a world of difference to my own spiritual life, but also impacts my family and those around me. I want to live in the confidence of knowing that the Lord will never forsake me, that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And these small steps; offering hospitality, sharing in the struggles of those around us, focusing on our marriages or relationships/friendships, paying attention so that we are not slaves to money and possessions, are what help us live in that confidence. If we keep on keeping on, we can conquer the anxiety and hatred that covers our world with true brotherly love and the same peace with which Saint John the Baptist courageously faced his death. [bctt tweet="I want to live in the confidence of knowing that the Lord will never forsake me. // Christy"] What am I anxious about today? What small acts of love can I do in my life to counteract that anxiety? Lord, help us live in confidence that You are with us always and will never abandon us. Christy Isinger is the mom to five lovely, loud children living in the Canadian wilds. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4 Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Who is this king of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory. R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18 Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted Band you yourself a sword will pierceB so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. NAB We are all waiting for something, aren’t we? From the mundane to the life-altering. Waiting for him to call, for the house to sell, or depression to lift. But more importantly, as Christians, we are waiting for Jesus, setting our hopes on one day seeing His face. Fueled by faith, we do our best to prepare ourselves for that day. Walking that narrow path sets you apart in ways you might not have been prepared for. In those early days of conversion, your heart on fire, you didn’t know the loneliness that would result as others, maybe your closest friends, your family, rejected all that you came to hold dear. Labeled you a little bit crazy, or worse, just plain ignorant. Because, maybe you’re going to Adoration on Friday night instead of hanging with friends. Maybe you’re deep into married life and you keep having babies far past a number that’s deemed acceptable (by your parents, even). Sometimes it can feel like no one understands. I bet Simeon would, and Anna too. I’m guessing that folks back then weren’t much different than folks today. “The Holy Spirit told you that you would see the Messiah?” Right. But Simeon did! He held Him in his very arms. We wait in a society that mocks, scorns even, what we hold dear. It hurts. There is pain in that division, a very real ache. But if we can keep our eyes on the Truth, that we will one day behold Jesus ourselves; our joy can shine brighter than all the sadness in the world. I think it can overpower all that divides us from those who don’t understand why we walk this path. They will see your joy. And somewhere deep inside, they might start to wonder . . . . [bctt tweet="If we can keep our eyes on the Truth, our joy can shine brighter than all the sadness."] Your joy, your faithfulness in the waiting can plant seeds. Our collective waiting, this faith we have been given has the power to change the world. One crazy, Jesus-loving act at a time. Ginny Sheller lives in Virginia with her husband and eight children. They keep bees, goats, and chickens and rarely have a clean house or a quiet moment. She knits everyday to maintain sanity and takes pictures along the way. You can find out more about her here.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time First Reading: Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges. Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as his sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18A R. (see 17) The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him, For he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust. R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him, And his justice toward children's children among those who keep his covenant. R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Gospel: Mark 6:1-6 Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. NAB Our Blessed is She community is comprised of women ages eighteen years and older; so chances are you are no longer under the direct supervision or jurisdiction of a parent or guardian. You're a grown woman. You don't have a curfew. You decide what you want to do with your free time. You've passed the test of adolescence and you've been parented. Now, you're probably responsible for directing others either in your work or family. So it's probably easy for all of us to get a little eye-roll-y when we read about discipline and expectation in the readings today. "Listen, Lord, this reading is totally for someone else. I've been disciplined and trained already, and I'm pretty great; could you please focus your attention on fixing all these other crazy people?" As my mama would say, this is the moment when we get too big for our britches. It's not very comfortable to acknowledge our own weakness and need for growth. When we let pride become an obstacle, we aren't able to clearly see the direction the Lord is trying to provide for us. We struggle to strengthen our hands and knees when we don't see anything wrong with them in the first place. But despite our autonomy from the authority under which we were raised, God is our parent forever. He wills our good and knows what is best for us for all our days. We never outgrow or out-mature the need for training from Jesus. And He trains us with such kindness. [bctt tweet="He wills our good and knows what is best for us for all our days. // @to_the_heights"] So as we live out our day today, sisters, let's ask the Lord to show us areas in our life that need pruning and fertilizing; and then, let's beg for the humility to acknowledge and desire the kind of growth He desires for us. You are my intention today! Olivia Spears is a middle school religion teacher turned SAHM who is married to her high school best friend. You can find out more about her here.

Memorial of Saint John Bosco First Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4 Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22:26B-27, 28 AND 30, 31-32 R. (see 27b) They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him. The lowly shall eat their fill; they who seek the LORD shall praise him: "May your hearts be ever merry!" R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; All the families of the nations shall bow down before him. To him alone shall bow down all who sleep in the earth; Before him shall bend all who go down into the dust. R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. And to him my soul shall live; my descendants shall serve him. Let the coming generation be told of the LORD that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice he has shown. R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?" But his disciples said to him, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?" And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction." While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?" Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat. NAB Where are you today? Single and wishing you were married? Starting college and feeling alone? Are you a new mom who is overwhelmed? A grandmother wishing you could go back in time? My tendency is to forget where I am, or more accurately to wish I were somewhere else. If only I were married, my life would be complete. If only I didn’t feel so lonely, I’d be a better witness to Christ. If only I didn’t have all these loud, little ones, I could really show the Lord my love in Adoration. If only. But, that is a lie. We are right where we are needed at this very moment. We always are. And, Jesus calls out to you and me with a cry, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" Arise. Arise right were you are. Dig deep to find the gifts only you can offer Him at this very minute of your life. We must “run the race that lies before us” not the one we wish did. Knowing there will be pain, crosses we feel we cannot shoulder, and things we do not understand, remember who went before us. The Saints. Jesus Christ. And, as it says so eloquently in the First Reading, “[Y]ou have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” And, I doubt we ever will. I know at this point in my life, I cannot go to Adoration and pray peacefully, I cannot tour the country as a speaker spreading the word of Christ, and I cannot spend the majority of my days in silent prayer and fasting as I would be neglecting the gift of my vocation of motherhood. Will I do those things someday? Time will tell. For now, I cannot worry about what I cannot do. I only can make the very most of offering every single part of my day for His glory while praying He shows me exactly how He will use me, and being content with whatever that is. Let’s use this new year to see our places as exactly where we need to be. And, when we feel as if He cannot possibly use us where we are, imagine Him in Heaven (with the Saints who have all gone this way before us), with His eyes peering down at His beautiful creation, and saying, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” [bctt tweet="Arise. Arise right were you are. // @thefiskfiles"] What then, is out of our reach? Ask Him to fortify you today! Britt Fisk is the wife of Jeremy and mother of six young kids. She spends her days living simply in the-middle-of-nowhere-New Mexico helping with the family beef cattle operation. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Hebrews 11:32-40 Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders. Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth. Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24 R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. How great is the goodness, O LORD, which you have in store for those who fear you, And which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of the children of men. R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plottings of men; You screen them within your abode from the strife of tongues. R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Blessed be the LORD whose wondrous mercy he has shown me in a fortified city. R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Once I said in my anguish, "I am cut off from your sight"; Yet you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried out to you. R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones! The LORD keeps those who are constant, but more than requites those who act proudly. R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Gospel: Mark 5:1-20 Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!" (He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!") He asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us." And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, "Send us into the swine. Let us enter them." And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you." Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. NAB We greatly admire superheroes. Spiderman’s web slinging and “spidey sense,” Batman’s superhuman power of will and determination, Green Lantern’s ring which allows him to create anything he wishes, the Flash’s superhuman speed and agility—we are amazed by the incredible feats our superheroes are able to accomplish with these skills and abilities. They bring about good; they conquer evil. We cheer them on as they go about restoring peace to a town. We yearn to be more like them. What if I was to tell you we have our very own set of superheroes, infused with their own superhero “powers”? What have they done? Today’s First Reading tells us they “conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders,” just to name a few. I know I can’t accomplish any of those things on my own without the aid of superhuman strength in some form or another. But what enables them to accomplish such amazing feats? Very simply, FAITH. Okay, so it may not be as flashy and fancy as those of their DC counterparts, but what they are able to accomplish, through faith, is just as spectacular and awe-inspiring. These holy men and women of God are our very own superheroes of faith. Their faith allowed them to move mountains, endure intolerable suffering, and shift the tides of war against insurmountable odds. The smallest could face the mightiest, a tiny nation could cripple an empire, a small child could bring about the redemption of the world. “The world was not worthy of them.” The world was no match for their “powers.” Do you want to be a superhero? All it takes is a little faith. Evil can still be conquered (although we may not see the immediate effects). The biggest obstacles in your day can be overcome. The mighty to-do list can be accomplished. That job, which is a needle in a haystack, can be found. That term paper can find words. The biggest move of the century can happen. Place your faith in Him and you, too, can do mighty things—just like a superhero. [bctt tweet=""Place your faith in Him and you, too, can do mighty things." // @muffin_dome"] Laurel Muff is a creator and appreciator of beautiful things. She resides with her husband and daughters in Northern California. You can find more about her here.

First Reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. The LORD loves the just; the LORD protects strangers. R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord." Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12A When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." NAB Do you get stuck perfectionism and negativity? I do. What would happen if we allowed one—just one—Beatitude to challenge our perfectionism today? I love Saint Paul. It’s not just because I am his spiritual daughter, but also because he is so real. His experience of growing in humility and faith illustrates our challenging readings this Sunday. Saint Paul once described a long, personal struggle as his “thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me.” It annoyed him so much that he begged the Lord three times to remove it. And if you know Saint Paul even a little, you know he is one of those people who can’t help but throw himself headlong into anything he says and does. So, I am sure the Lord heard an earful. The Lord eventually offered Saint Paul one of the most stunning responses to prayer ever recorded, “My grace is enough for you for power is made perfect in weakness.” That’s it. Take it to the bank. The bedrock of our lives of faith. The best way you and I can test our walk of discipleship. Do I admit my weakness before God? This bold, humility of heart is at the foundation of our readings today and especially Beatitudes the Lord proclaims. He blesses specific attitudes of the heart with heavenly joy: poverty of spirit, meekness, mourning, thirst for holiness. The Beatitudes describe all of us. They illumine our experience as disciples. Although loving and following God doesn’t usually make all my problems melt away, something miraculous does happen. The Holy Spirit transforms my heart. The Spirit offers Heaven’s perspective wherein darkness and death, in all forms, are just “thorns in the flesh.” This is perspective comes with the joy only God can give and no one can take away. We want live in the freedom of this truth and not as slaves of perfectionism and negativity. God desires to set us free by the truth of His love. God desires to illumine our day and make ordinary moments shimmer with the radiance of His never-failing love. But He waits for permission. Sisters, let’s prayerfully wrap ourselves, our family, our friends in His truth today. If this is too abstract, let’s ask Our Blessed Mother to wrap her mantle around us. Same thing. [bctt tweet="God desires to set us free by the truth of His love."] Let’s pray for each other with humility and faith. Sister Maria Kim Bui is a Daughter of Saint Paul, women religious dedicated to evangelization in and through the media. She is originally from Tempe, AZ, spent most of her fourteen years in religious life in the northeast, and is part of a bilingual evangelization team of sisters serving in Texas. Find out more about her here.

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church First Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age Band Sarah herself was sterileB for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name. He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol. Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75 R. (see 68) Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people. Through his holy prophets he promised of old. that he would save us from our sins from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the bonds of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people. Gospel: Mark 4:35-41 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" NAB You are in the middle of the storm. Maybe it’s small, but growing and brewing disaster. Maybe it’s terrifyingly huge, overwhelming you with violent waves. Maybe it’s personal, a hurricane destroying the best-laid plans you’d built for your life. Maybe it’s communal, the gale-force winds of our tumultuous country and culture right now. Either way, here is the only thing I know for sure. Wherever you are in the storm, God is already with you. Today’s Gospel teaches this truth in a powerful, short story that condenses the life of faith into a single unforgettable scene. Jesus and His disciples in the boat, a violent squall that threatens their life, and a cry of terror that wakes the Lord who calms the seas. We feel the frenzy and anxiety, and then we share the calm and peace. God has come to His people, as the Psalm reminds us. God has remained here with us. Whatever the storm of your life—a broken relationship, a difficult job, the fear of failure, the grief of loss—God is still beside you in the small, shaking boat. God hears your cry and will not leave you alone in your despair. So we cry out in the darkness. Waves crash at our feet, and we wonder how we will survive—as individuals, as a family, as a Church, as a country. We want to scream to God, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” But before the cry has left our lips, God is already quieting the storm and calming the sea. God speaks straight to our troubled hearts and reminds us that faith is the answer to our pleading questions. By faith we will find peace. Jesus did not magically transport His disciples onto dry land. He climbed into the boat with them before the storm began, and He stayed with them the whole terrifying time, working wonders within the situation itself, even when it seemed darkest and desperate. He is with you, too. He is with us still. [bctt tweet="God is still beside you in the shaking boat, and He will not leave you alone in your despair. // @laurakfanucci"] Keep crying out to God in whatever storm is sweeping your life today, big or small. Trust that God hears you, and believe that God is working to bring peace. Be not afraid. Laura Kelly Fanucci is a mother, writer, and theological researcher. She and her husband are raising three little boys in the suburban wilds of Minnesota. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Hebrews 10:32-39 Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised. For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart's requests. R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. Commit to the LORD your way; trust in him, and he will act. He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way. Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the LORD sustains him. R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. The salvation of the just is from the LORD; he is their refuge in time of distress. And the LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. Gospel: Mark 4:26-34 Jesus said to the crowds: "This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come." He said, "To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private. NAB I feel like there are countless ways in which You, God, have not answered my prayers—or at least that’s how I see it. I have intentions that are more immediate and they just don’t pan out. I have intentions that I have been praying about for years, and I still don’t see the answer that I want. I think about praying so deeply to find my lost keys so I’m not late, and a half an hour later I’m still looking at making phone calls to alert people of my tardiness. Or how about the years that I have been praying for total relief from my anxiety? That certainly has not happened yet either. Don’t you see these things would be good for me, Lord? I was told that if I truly trusted in Your power, You would hear my prayer and answer it. I trust you. This is good stuff I want here. How can you say “no”? “Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart's requests.” I DO take delight in you, Lord. Well, maybe not right this minute when I am feeling like You don’t hear me or answer my requests. But, most of the time, especially when things are going well, I delight in You. “Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him, and he will act.” Well, I suppose I may not be committing myself to Your way. I feel like I may have this figured out if You would just listen to what I need. But, you’re saying I need to pledge myself to your way, aren’t you? Even if I don’t understand it. Okay. “Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the LORD sustains him.” You are not a genie who will grant my well-intentioned wishes. You alone know what is best for me, even if that means a lifelong cross that I must bear. Instead of promising me freedom from all suffering, Lord, you promise to sustain me through the hardship. After all, the real reward, the real life, is not here on earth. “The salvation of the just is from the Lord; he is their refuge in time of distress.” You will be my refuge, Lord. I will continue to ask things of You, but I will open my heart to the idea that life and suffering are a process which we need to walk through in order to be ready for what is truly real. [bctt tweet="How can you suffer well and take refuge in our Lord?"] In what ways is the Lord asking you to suffer in this life? How can you suffer well and take refuge in Him? See your suffering as a process of refinement. Thank the Lord for the suffering you have. Jenna Hines has teeny army of three children (and one in utero), and is married to a bearded fellow named Mike. A former high school English teacher, she now stays at home where she blogs and runs a crafty embroidery business. You can find out more about her here.

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops First Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 7-8A, 10 R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations. Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name. R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations. Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise; give to the LORD the glory due his name! R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations. Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations. Gospel: Mark 4:21-25 Jesus said to his disciples, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear." He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." NAB Friendship is a gift. A true friend who’ll stand by you no matter the circumstance is to be treasured. Saint Paul had two such friends and today we celebrate their feast day. Saints Timothy and Titus were two of Saint Paul’s closest friends and confidants. Theirs was a holy friendship, centered in the brotherhood of Christ. Saint Paul considered these men to be like sons and cared for them deeply. They worked closely with Saint Paul, traveling with him or on his behalf, to spread the Gospel and build the early Church. Saint Timothy was young for such an important job and Saint Paul had to encourage him often not to be timid. Saint Paul says in the First Reading, “For God did not give us the spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control.” He’s instructing Saint Timothy to call upon the Holy Spirit to supply him with the supernatural strength he needs to teach God’s truth to the church growing in Ephesus. Saint Titus was seen as a peacemaker and great administrator, which is why when Saint Paul was having difficulty with the people of Corinth, he sent Saint Titus with his admonition to straighten things out. I can imagine Saint Titus showing up with the First Letter to the Corinthians and saying, “Yo, listen up knuckleheads. Quit doing what you’re doing and get some Jesus.” Saint Paul later left Saint Titus in charge of the church in Crete where he had to correct abuses and appoint bishops. So what can these two saints and their relationship to Saint Paul teach us? Holy friendship is about love, but also admonishment and encouragement. If we can’t speak the truth to our best friend then what kind of friend are we? I need my friends to call me out, in love, when I need an attitude adjustment. I want the best for and from my friends. Saint Paul wasn’t perfect but he loved Timothy and Titus enough to hold them to a higher standard, the same standard he expected of himself. The same standard God calls us all to. [bctt tweet="A true friend who will stand by you no matter what is to be treasured. // @marylenaburg"] How can you love your friends today? Is there an encouragement you can offer? Is their a more difficult conversation to have? Remember that when God is at the center of your friendship, the difficult moments can become moments of serious grace. Mary Lenaburg married her first (and only) blind date going on 27 years, is a full-time liturgist, and parents one adult son navigating his path on earth and a special needs daughter safely in Heaven. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle First Reading: Acts 22:3-16 Paul addressed the people in these words: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf. For from them I even received letters to the brothers and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well. "On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' I replied, 'Who are you, sir?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.' My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. I asked, 'What shall I do, sir?' The Lord answered me, 'Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do.' Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light, I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus. "A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me and stood there and said, 'Saul, my brother, regain your sight.' And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard. Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.'" Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1BC, 2 R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News. For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News. Gospel: Mark 16:15-18 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." NAB I’m sure you’ve heard the story before, of Saul who was blinded by the glory of Christ and became Saint Paul. God spoke to this man who was doing so much harm to Christ's followers, and gave him an opportunity to become a man who would do so much good in the name of the Savior. Today we as a Church celebrate his conversion, and it reminds us to think on our own. Christ literally blindsided Saul, and his response was perfect. “What shall I do, sir?” This. This was the moment that Saul became the Apostle Paul, because in his response he was turning his heart to Christ. Conversion can be big and bright and booming. There have definitely been times in my life where I needed a shake up, a wake up call. Conversion can also be small moments, where God is gently calling our attention, wanting to reveal something to us. The key is, how do we respond? Do we open our hands and hearts, accepting whatever might come from Him, and ask “What shall I do, Lord?” Saint Paul’s story is a story of hope for us. I know it’s one for me. I fall and fail, a lot. But I am so grateful that God, in His mercy, continues to give me opportunities to respond to His Grace and turn my heart back to Him. Some of His greatest miracles are happening every day in our hearts. [bctt tweet="Saint Paul’s story is a story of hope for all of us."] Perhaps you can take some time today to approach the Lord, and pray this simple prayer of Saint Paul: “What shall I do, Lord?” Jacqueline Skemp is a daughter, sister, wife and mother who endures living in Minnesota after leaving California for her one true love. You can find out more about her here.

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church First Reading: Hebrews 10:1-10 Brothers and sisters: Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year. Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins, for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God. First he says, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in. These are offered according to the law. Then he says, Behold, I come to do your will. He takes away the first to establish the second. By this "will," we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2 AND 4AB, 7-8A, 10, 11 R. (8a and 9a) Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, "Behold I come." R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly. R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. Gospel: Mark 3:31-35 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." NAB I spent the entire semester I was abroad in Europe during college trying to surrender my will to God’s will about a particular man in my life. He very clearly liked, almost loved, me, but he was conflicted about his vocation. I tried desperately to not interfere in his discernment, but also to accept God’s will, come what may. The hardest thing for me was figuring out for what exactly I should be praying for this dear man. I wanted him to choose God’s will for his life, but I also felt that my own destiny was already tied up in this man’s destiny. In my very depths I felt that we were meant to be with each other, but I had to wait for God’s will to be made clear to him. The only prayer I could pray with any peace was this: for this man to discern God’s will for him. That letting go and letting God was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. God’s will for us is not always the easiest thing to discern, but it is pretty clear in the Scriptures that our whole point and purpose is to figure out His will and to follow it. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “[W]hoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Doing God’s will is how we participate in the Christian life. He wants us to discern His will in every action of our life. Does that sound too hard? Let’s break it down. Start with daily life. It is certainly God’s will that I get out of bed each morning; it is also His will that I eat breakfast, drink coffee, and dress in something appropriate for my tasks that day. And even before I begin He asks me to pause for a moment to make a morning offering. Then I am on to my daily duties, which for me involve the care and education of my children with some housekeeping in between. Sometimes those duties can seem like drudgery. So one of the things to discern is: if this life is God’s will for me, how can I find more joy in my daily existence? I am learning that His will for me is to be a more active parent, one who is willing to set aside my email, writing, or book to look into their faces, bring them back to their quiet time or help them off the potty even when they can do it themselves. The more care I put into loving them in the small mundane things, the happier our family is. That is God’s will for me in my daily life. Then there are the big decisions, such as the vocation story I gave an account of above. It took me months of prayer to get to that point. It took me years of discernment to feel a call to one particular man. It took him what seemed like forever, but in reality was only half of a year, to discover his call to discern marriage to me. But when we discovered God’s will for us, it was, and has been, so beautiful. Yet, these major decisions are only the highlights of a life which discerns God’s will on a daily basis. For it is only with daily submission to God’s will that we can discern His greater will for us. [bctt tweet="It is only with daily submission to God’s will that we can discern His greater will for us."] What is God calling you to today? How can you sanctify your daily routine to be more in accord with God’s will? How has He blessed you in your major life decisions? Are you still waiting for Him to show you something. Pray today’s Psalm again, and open yourself up entirely to God’s will in trust and love. Susanna Spencer once studied theology and philosophy, but now happily cares for her three adorable little girls, new baby boy, and her dear husband in Saint Paul. She loves beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious meals, baking amazing sweets, reading good books, raising her children, casually following baseball, and talking to her philosopher husband. You can find out more about her here.

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children First Reading: Hebrews 9:15, 24-28 Christ is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6 R. (1a) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD. R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. Gospel: Mark 3:22-30 The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives out demons." Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." NAB Yesterday marked the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the United States Supreme Court's decision to legalize abortion. Today is a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children in every Diocese of the United States. Hopefully you will be able to participate in a local Pro-Life event and take time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Remember to pray for the children who have died, their siblings, parents, and grandparents. Let us also pray that doctors, nurses, counselors, and politicians will protect the right to life. In your prayer today, I also want to invite you to look with the Blessed Virgin Mary at your own heart. When we turn toward our Mother Mary with love, we see how she accepted the life of Christ into her body and joyfully radiated His life to all she encountered. Each of us becomes like Mary when we receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. We are to protect and cherish His life within us. Is your heart ready to receive Jesus? Do you let Him be King over all the rooms of in your heart? Can you notice the times when sinfulness stifles and sometimes aborts the Life of Christ within you? The good news is that we have a merciful Father who joyfully wants to give us the gift of new life. On this day of prayer and penance, courageously run into the loving arms of our heavenly Father. Examen your heart under His merciful gaze. If you notice areas where you have squelched or killed the life of Christ within you, bring those sins to Him in the Sacrament of Confession. Even the graver sins, such as that of abortion, Christ wants to forgive. His mercy is there for all who seek it, no matter what we have done. Receive His forgiveness and let His life pulse through your veins once again. He desires to live His life in you! [bctt tweet="Receive His forgiveness and let His life pulse through your veins once again."] Let us place ourselves under the protection of Mary’s Immaculate Heart and beg her to intercede for us. She will show us how to build a Culture of Life in our own hearts, homes, parishes, and workplaces! “He came that we might have life, and have it to the full!” (Jn 10:10.) Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. You can find out more about her here.