28 June 2025
The Prayer of Jesus is said like this: Lord Jesus Christ, son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner. Originally it was said without the addition of the
word sinner: this word was added to the other words of the prayer later. This
word, remarks Saint Nil Sorsky, which implies a consciousness and confession of
the fall, is fitting for us and pleasing to God who has commanded us to offer
prayers in acknowledgement and confession of our sinfulness.
Saint Ignatius
Brianchaninov
Trust In God
27 June 2025
Continue to trust in God. Do you think that the God who takes care to provide food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth – which neither sow nor reap – will ever forget to provide all that is necessary for the one who trusts wholly in His Providence, seeing that we are capable of being united to God, our sovereign good?
Saint Francis de Sales
Continue to trust in God. Do you think that the God who takes care to provide food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth – which neither sow nor reap – will ever forget to provide all that is necessary for the one who trusts wholly in His Providence, seeing that we are capable of being united to God, our sovereign good?
Saint Francis de Sales
The Grace of God
26 June 2025
When the grace of God comes to us we can do all things, but when it leaves us, we become poor and weak, abandoned, as it were, to affliction. Yet, in this condition we should not become dejected or despair. On the contrary, we should calmly await the will of God and bear whatever befalls us in praise of Jesus Christ; for after winter comes the summer, after night comes the day, and after the storm, a great calm.
Thomas a Kempis
When the grace of God comes to us we can do all things, but when it leaves us, we become poor and weak, abandoned, as it were, to affliction. Yet, in this condition we should not become dejected or despair. On the contrary, we should calmly await the will of God and bear whatever befalls us in praise of Jesus Christ; for after winter comes the summer, after night comes the day, and after the storm, a great calm.
Thomas a Kempis
On the Spiritual Life
25 June 2025
There is a little secret in the spiritual life: The more the heart gives thanks, the more God gives, even when life isn’t perfect, even when we don’t have everything we need or want. The more we thank God, the more our heart is open to receive even more of his mercy and his gifts.
Jacques Philippe
There is a little secret in the spiritual life: The more the heart gives thanks, the more God gives, even when life isn’t perfect, even when we don’t have everything we need or want. The more we thank God, the more our heart is open to receive even more of his mercy and his gifts.
Jacques Philippe
On Grace
24 June 2025
Grace is from God, and works in the depth of the soul whose powers it employs. It is a light which issues forth to do service under the guidance of the Spirit. The Divine Light permeates the soul, and lifts it above the turmoil of temporal things to rest in God. The soul cannot progress except with the light which God has given it as a nuptial gift; love works the likeness of God into the soul.
Meister Eckhart
Grace is from God, and works in the depth of the soul whose powers it employs. It is a light which issues forth to do service under the guidance of the Spirit. The Divine Light permeates the soul, and lifts it above the turmoil of temporal things to rest in God. The soul cannot progress except with the light which God has given it as a nuptial gift; love works the likeness of God into the soul.
Meister Eckhart
On Marriage
23 June 2025
But if a man and a woman marry in order to be companions on the journey through earth to heaven, then their union will bring great joy to themselves and to others.
Saint John Chrysostom
But if a man and a woman marry in order to be companions on the journey through earth to heaven, then their union will bring great joy to themselves and to others.
Saint John Chrysostom
On Humility
22 June 2025
Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.
Saint Augustine
Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.
Saint Augustine
On Love
20 June 2025
Nothing sweeter than love, nothing stronger or higher or wider, nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth, for love is born of God and cannot rest except in God.
Thomas à Kempis
Nothing sweeter than love, nothing stronger or higher or wider, nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth, for love is born of God and cannot rest except in God.
Thomas à Kempis
Our Own Worst Enemy
18 June 2025
There is no doubt that at times we ourselves can be our own worst enemies. Maybe it’s because our self-love makes us see little mosquitoes as if they were elephants, or perhaps it might be that we lack submission to the will of God. I do know that this happens when we neglect prayer, mortification, and humility, but if we ask Our Lord for these virtues, we will receive them. I want you to be happy, at peace in all circumstances of your life, offering Our Lord your sorrows and your joys because everything comes from His loving hand for the good of our souls.
Blessed Luisitia Josefa
There is no doubt that at times we ourselves can be our own worst enemies. Maybe it’s because our self-love makes us see little mosquitoes as if they were elephants, or perhaps it might be that we lack submission to the will of God. I do know that this happens when we neglect prayer, mortification, and humility, but if we ask Our Lord for these virtues, we will receive them. I want you to be happy, at peace in all circumstances of your life, offering Our Lord your sorrows and your joys because everything comes from His loving hand for the good of our souls.
Blessed Luisitia Josefa
On Business
17 June 2025
If you don’t have time to pray and read the scriptures, you are busier than God ever intended you to be.
Matthew Kelly
If you don’t have time to pray and read the scriptures, you are busier than God ever intended you to be.
Matthew Kelly
Holy Will
16 June 2025
Lord Jesus, without reserve, without an if, without a but, without exception, without limitation, may thy holy will be done in all things, at all times.
Saint Francis de Sales
Lord Jesus, without reserve, without an if, without a but, without exception, without limitation, may thy holy will be done in all things, at all times.
Saint Francis de Sales
God is Faithful
15 June 2025
Even here amidst trials and temptations let us, let all men, sing
alleluia. God is faithful, says holy Scripture, and he will not allow you to be
tried beyond your strength. So let us sing alleluia, even here on earth. Man is
still a debtor, but God is faithful. Scripture does not say that he will not
allow you to be tried, but that he will not allow you to be tried beyond your
strength. Whatever the trial, he will see your through it safely, and so enable
you to endure. You have entered upon a time of trial but you will come to no
harm – God’s help will bring you through it safely. You are like a piece of
pottery, shaped by instruction, fired by tribulation. When you are put into the
oven therefore, keep your thoughts on the time when you will be taken out again;
for God is faithful, and he will guard both your going in and your coming out.
Saint Augustine
The Cross
14 June 2025
Truly this symbol [the Cross] is thought despicable; but it is so in the world’s reckoning, and among men; in Heaven and among the faithful it is the highest glory.
Saint John Chrysostom
Truly this symbol [the Cross] is thought despicable; but it is so in the world’s reckoning, and among men; in Heaven and among the faithful it is the highest glory.
Saint John Chrysostom
Grace
13 June 2025
What is impossible for humans is possible for God: ‘Caritas omnia sperat’ – ‘Love hopes for everything’. God loves and can do anything. God respects the freedom God gave to humankind but God does not hold back when freely giving graces. God’s grace can be such that it overturns all obstacles and brings the calm after the storm. Let us know how to obtain powerful graces from the one who said: ‘Ask and you shall receive‘ and ‘When two or more of you are gathered in prayer, I am among you.’
Blessed Charles De Foucauld
What is impossible for humans is possible for God: ‘Caritas omnia sperat’ – ‘Love hopes for everything’. God loves and can do anything. God respects the freedom God gave to humankind but God does not hold back when freely giving graces. God’s grace can be such that it overturns all obstacles and brings the calm after the storm. Let us know how to obtain powerful graces from the one who said: ‘Ask and you shall receive‘ and ‘When two or more of you are gathered in prayer, I am among you.’
Blessed Charles De Foucauld
Humility
11 June 2025
Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.
CS Lewis
Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.
CS Lewis
Repentance
9 June 2025
Repentance brings an intense desire for God, deep gratitude, and a growth in self-awareness that increases our freedom to love.
Anthony de Mello
Repentance brings an intense desire for God, deep gratitude, and a growth in self-awareness that increases our freedom to love.
Anthony de Mello
The Holy Spirit
8 June 2025
Thus also we who are baptized, having wiped off the sins which obscure the light of the Divine Spirit, have the eye of the spirit free, unimpeded, and full of light, by which alone we contemplate the Divine, the Holy Spirit flowing down to us from above.
Clement of Alexandria
Thus also we who are baptized, having wiped off the sins which obscure the light of the Divine Spirit, have the eye of the spirit free, unimpeded, and full of light, by which alone we contemplate the Divine, the Holy Spirit flowing down to us from above.
Clement of Alexandria
The Story of Jesus
7 June 2025
The story of Jesus is to be proclaimed and celebrated. Some will hear and rejoice, some will remain indifferent, some will become hostile. The story of Jesus will not always be accepted, but it must be told.
Henri Nouwen
The story of Jesus is to be proclaimed and celebrated. Some will hear and rejoice, some will remain indifferent, some will become hostile. The story of Jesus will not always be accepted, but it must be told.
Henri Nouwen
Counting On God
6 June 2025
We count on God’s mercy for our past mistakes, on God’s love for our present needs, on God’s sovereignty for our future.
Saint Augustine
We count on God’s mercy for our past mistakes, on God’s love for our present needs, on God’s sovereignty for our future.
Saint Augustine
The Divine Service
4 June 2025
The divine service involves us in a regular act of pilgrimage from earth to heaven and back again. There are two sides to that journey. With Christ we travel from our earthly homes to our holy place of worship, the assembly of the saints in the presence of God. Then we return along the same way from that heavenly place to our earthly location. Yet our journey along the holy way does not end when we come home; the triune God goes with us his holy people everywhere in our daily lives. That is why he commissions us as his priests at the end of the service to bring his love and his blessings to the people that we meet as we go about our ordinary business.
John W. Kleinig
The divine service involves us in a regular act of pilgrimage from earth to heaven and back again. There are two sides to that journey. With Christ we travel from our earthly homes to our holy place of worship, the assembly of the saints in the presence of God. Then we return along the same way from that heavenly place to our earthly location. Yet our journey along the holy way does not end when we come home; the triune God goes with us his holy people everywhere in our daily lives. That is why he commissions us as his priests at the end of the service to bring his love and his blessings to the people that we meet as we go about our ordinary business.
John W. Kleinig
On the Elderly
3 June 2025
The elderly have a rich storehouse of memories, and inner landscape to explore: times lost in idleness, opportunities well used, a fulfilling career, children grown up and suffering gone through with dignity and courage.
Saint Augustine
The elderly have a rich storehouse of memories, and inner landscape to explore: times lost in idleness, opportunities well used, a fulfilling career, children grown up and suffering gone through with dignity and courage.
Saint Augustine
Holy Scripture
2 June 2025
This doctrine of Christ and of the apostles, from which the true faith of the primitive church was received, the apostles at first delivered orally, without writing, but later, not by any human counsel but by the will of God, they handed it on in the Scriptures.
Martin Chemnitz
This doctrine of Christ and of the apostles, from which the true faith of the primitive church was received, the apostles at first delivered orally, without writing, but later, not by any human counsel but by the will of God, they handed it on in the Scriptures.
Martin Chemnitz
The Visitation of God
1 June 2025
When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had.
Thomas à Kempis
When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had.
Thomas à Kempis
Noticing Other People's Failings
31 May 2025
The sharper you are at noticing other people’s failings, the more apt will you be to overlook your own.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
The sharper you are at noticing other people’s failings, the more apt will you be to overlook your own.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
On the Ascension
30 May 2025
Jesus didn’t travel thousands of miles like a space rocket. He rose up a little way above the earth and a cloud received Him out of their sight. All that was gone was the sight of Jesus. The cloud means that He is no longer within our ordinary limits. Jesus is now present and does things the whole range of God’s way of being present and doing things while remaining a man, but a man fulfilled and glorified. We confess this when we say that “He sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” The right hand is not some particular place as we think of, but the exercise of the whole power of God, which is now in the hands of Jesus.
So the ascension does not mean that Jesus has gone away. Quite the opposite. He is with us now even more powerfully than when men saw Him. We live, then, in the presence of our ascended, ever-present Lord. Because He is with us, we cannot be destroyed. Jesus has made the way to victory for us. He leads us that way, gives us strength and courage for it, and finally brings us to the bright cloud of heaven. We go on, then, from the ascension as did the first disciples “with great joy” (Luke 24:52).
Norman Nagel
Jesus didn’t travel thousands of miles like a space rocket. He rose up a little way above the earth and a cloud received Him out of their sight. All that was gone was the sight of Jesus. The cloud means that He is no longer within our ordinary limits. Jesus is now present and does things the whole range of God’s way of being present and doing things while remaining a man, but a man fulfilled and glorified. We confess this when we say that “He sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” The right hand is not some particular place as we think of, but the exercise of the whole power of God, which is now in the hands of Jesus.
So the ascension does not mean that Jesus has gone away. Quite the opposite. He is with us now even more powerfully than when men saw Him. We live, then, in the presence of our ascended, ever-present Lord. Because He is with us, we cannot be destroyed. Jesus has made the way to victory for us. He leads us that way, gives us strength and courage for it, and finally brings us to the bright cloud of heaven. We go on, then, from the ascension as did the first disciples “with great joy” (Luke 24:52).
Norman Nagel
On Contemplative Prayer
29 May 2025
Everyone is capable of inward contemplative prayer, and it is a terrible shame that almost all people have it in their heads not to do it. We are all called to this prayer as we are all called to eternal life. Contemplative prayer is nothing more than heartfelt affection and love. What is necessary is to love God and to focus on him.
Jean Guyon
Everyone is capable of inward contemplative prayer, and it is a terrible shame that almost all people have it in their heads not to do it. We are all called to this prayer as we are all called to eternal life. Contemplative prayer is nothing more than heartfelt affection and love. What is necessary is to love God and to focus on him.
Jean Guyon
God's Presence
28 May 2025
The presence of God calms the soul, and gives it quiet and repose.
François Fénèlon
The presence of God calms the soul, and gives it quiet and repose.
François Fénèlon
Faith and Trust in God
27 May 2025
Try not to worry. Everything in life has its ups and downs, yet above everything else, we must live a life of faith, seeing all things as coming from the hand of God and for our own good.
Blessed Luisitia Josefa
Try not to worry. Everything in life has its ups and downs, yet above everything else, we must live a life of faith, seeing all things as coming from the hand of God and for our own good.
Blessed Luisitia Josefa
A Good Deed
26 May 2025
A good deed is never lost. – He who sows courtesy, reaps friendship; he who plants kindness, gathers love; pleasure bestowed upon a grateful mind was never sterile, but generally gratitude begets reward.
Saint Basil the Great
A good deed is never lost. – He who sows courtesy, reaps friendship; he who plants kindness, gathers love; pleasure bestowed upon a grateful mind was never sterile, but generally gratitude begets reward.
Saint Basil the Great
The Light of World
25 May 2025
The city has no need of sun or moon because the church is not governed by the light or elements of the world. Rather, it is led through the darkness by Christ the eternal Sun.
Bede the Venerable
The city has no need of sun or moon because the church is not governed by the light or elements of the world. Rather, it is led through the darkness by Christ the eternal Sun.
Bede the Venerable
Avoid All Obstinacy
24 May 2025
Avoid all obstinacy; but when you have begun a thing well, stick to it, and do not basely flee through weariness or despair.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Avoid all obstinacy; but when you have begun a thing well, stick to it, and do not basely flee through weariness or despair.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
The Habit of Faith
23 May 2025
The light of faith makes us see what we believe. For just as, by the habits of the other virtues, man sees what is becoming to him in respect of that habit, so, by the habit of faith, the human mind is directed to assent to such things as are becoming to a right faith, and not to assent to others.
Thomas Aquarius
The light of faith makes us see what we believe. For just as, by the habits of the other virtues, man sees what is becoming to him in respect of that habit, so, by the habit of faith, the human mind is directed to assent to such things as are becoming to a right faith, and not to assent to others.
Thomas Aquarius
Theology
22 May 2025
Discussion of theology is not for everyone, I tell you, not for everyone–it is no such inexpensive or effortless pursuit. Nor, I would add, is it for every occasion, or every audience; neither are all its aspects open to inquiry. It must be reserved for certain occasions, for certain audiences, and certain limits must be observed. It is not for all people, but only for those who have been tested and have found a sound footing in study, and, more importantly, have undergone, or at the very least are undergoing, purification of body and soul. For one who is not pure to lay hold of pure things is dangerous, just as it is for weak eyes to look at the sun’s brightness.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Discussion of theology is not for everyone, I tell you, not for everyone–it is no such inexpensive or effortless pursuit. Nor, I would add, is it for every occasion, or every audience; neither are all its aspects open to inquiry. It must be reserved for certain occasions, for certain audiences, and certain limits must be observed. It is not for all people, but only for those who have been tested and have found a sound footing in study, and, more importantly, have undergone, or at the very least are undergoing, purification of body and soul. For one who is not pure to lay hold of pure things is dangerous, just as it is for weak eyes to look at the sun’s brightness.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
The Bible
21 May 2025
We need a reference point in the music world to determine our concert pitch and this is the tuning fork. And so in our spiritual life we might feel that we are right in our opinion about God and spiritual things, unless we have the Bible we have no reference point.
Franz Mohr
We need a reference point in the music world to determine our concert pitch and this is the tuning fork. And so in our spiritual life we might feel that we are right in our opinion about God and spiritual things, unless we have the Bible we have no reference point.
Franz Mohr
Christ Crucified
19 May 2025
Nor did demons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucify him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Nor did demons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucify him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Unseen Warfare
17 May 2025
Just as people do not enter war in order to enjoy war, but in order to be saved from war, so we do not enter this world in order to enjoy this world, but in order to be saved from it. People go to wars for something greater than war. So we also enter this temporal life for the sake of something greater: for eternal life. And as soldiers think with joy about returning home, so also Christians constantly remember the end of their lives and their return to their heavenly fatherland.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
Just as people do not enter war in order to enjoy war, but in order to be saved from war, so we do not enter this world in order to enjoy this world, but in order to be saved from it. People go to wars for something greater than war. So we also enter this temporal life for the sake of something greater: for eternal life. And as soldiers think with joy about returning home, so also Christians constantly remember the end of their lives and their return to their heavenly fatherland.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
Accept Chastisement
16 May 2025
Whoever accepts the Lord’s chastisements as gifts find his soul’s salvation in them and a more glorious crown awaiting him in heaven.
Thomas à Kempis
Whoever accepts the Lord’s chastisements as gifts find his soul’s salvation in them and a more glorious crown awaiting him in heaven.
Thomas à Kempis
Hardships and Temptations
14 May 2025
Now there is no one who approaches God with a true and upright heart who is not tested by hardships and temptations. So in all these temptations see to it that even if you feel them, you do not consent to them, but bear them patiently and calmly with humility and long suffering.
Saint Albert the Great
Now there is no one who approaches God with a true and upright heart who is not tested by hardships and temptations. So in all these temptations see to it that even if you feel them, you do not consent to them, but bear them patiently and calmly with humility and long suffering.
Saint Albert the Great
Bread and Wine
13 May 2025
Why did Our Blessed Lord use bread and wine as the elements of this Memorial? First of all, because no two substances in nature better symbolize unity than bread and wine. As bread is made from a multiplicity of grains of wheat, and wine is made from a multiplicity of grapes, so the many who believe are one in Christ. Second, no two substances in nature have to suffer more to become what they are than bread and wine. Wheat has to pass through the rigors of winter, be ground beneath the Calvary of a mill, and then subjected to purging fire before it can become bread. Grapes in their turn must be subjected to the Gethsemane of a wine press and have their life crushed from them to become wine. Thus, do they symbolize the Passion and Sufferings of Christ, and the condition of Salvation, for Our Lord said unless we die to ourselves we cannot live in Him. A third reason is that there are no two substances in nature which have more traditionally nourished man [and woman] than bread and wine. In bringing these elements to the altar, men [and women] are equivalently bringing themselves. When bread and wine are taken or consumed, they are changed into [one’]s body and blood. But when [Jesus] took bread and wine, He changed them into Himself.
Fulton J. Sheen
Why did Our Blessed Lord use bread and wine as the elements of this Memorial? First of all, because no two substances in nature better symbolize unity than bread and wine. As bread is made from a multiplicity of grains of wheat, and wine is made from a multiplicity of grapes, so the many who believe are one in Christ. Second, no two substances in nature have to suffer more to become what they are than bread and wine. Wheat has to pass through the rigors of winter, be ground beneath the Calvary of a mill, and then subjected to purging fire before it can become bread. Grapes in their turn must be subjected to the Gethsemane of a wine press and have their life crushed from them to become wine. Thus, do they symbolize the Passion and Sufferings of Christ, and the condition of Salvation, for Our Lord said unless we die to ourselves we cannot live in Him. A third reason is that there are no two substances in nature which have more traditionally nourished man [and woman] than bread and wine. In bringing these elements to the altar, men [and women] are equivalently bringing themselves. When bread and wine are taken or consumed, they are changed into [one’]s body and blood. But when [Jesus] took bread and wine, He changed them into Himself.
Fulton J. Sheen
Prayer and Humility
12 May 2025
Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.
Saint Dominic de Guzman
Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.
Saint Dominic de Guzman
On Death
10 May 2025
All the disciples of Christ despise death; they take the offensive against it and, instead of fearing it, by the sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead. Before the divine sojourn of the Savior, even the holiest of men were afraid of death, and mourned the dead as those who perish. But now that the Savior has raised His body, death is no longer terrible, but all those who believe in Christ tread it underfoot as nothing, and prefer to die rather than to deny their faith in Christ, knowing full well that when they die they do not perish, but live indeed, and become incorruptible through the resurrection.
St. Athanasius
All the disciples of Christ despise death; they take the offensive against it and, instead of fearing it, by the sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead. Before the divine sojourn of the Savior, even the holiest of men were afraid of death, and mourned the dead as those who perish. But now that the Savior has raised His body, death is no longer terrible, but all those who believe in Christ tread it underfoot as nothing, and prefer to die rather than to deny their faith in Christ, knowing full well that when they die they do not perish, but live indeed, and become incorruptible through the resurrection.
St. Athanasius
Trampling on Death
9 May 2025
All the disciples of Christ despise death; they take the offensive against it and, instead of fearing it, by the sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead. Before the divine sojourn of the Savior, even the holiest of men were afraid of death, and mourned the dead as those who perish. But now that the Savior has raised His body, death is no longer terrible, but all those who believe in Christ tread it underfoot as nothing, and prefer to die rather than to deny their faith in Christ, knowing full well that when they die they do not perish, but live indeed, and become incorruptible through the resurrection.
St. Athanasius
All the disciples of Christ despise death; they take the offensive against it and, instead of fearing it, by the sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead. Before the divine sojourn of the Savior, even the holiest of men were afraid of death, and mourned the dead as those who perish. But now that the Savior has raised His body, death is no longer terrible, but all those who believe in Christ tread it underfoot as nothing, and prefer to die rather than to deny their faith in Christ, knowing full well that when they die they do not perish, but live indeed, and become incorruptible through the resurrection.
St. Athanasius
Bringing Peace to Others
8 May 2025
You cannot cure the soul of others or ‘help people,’ without having changed yourself. You cannot put in order the spiritual economy of others, so long as there is chaos in your own soul. You cannot bring peace to others if you do not have it yourself. Often, we help other people, not by a series of conscious acts directed upon their soul, but rather by influencing them through our spiritual gifts, without ourselves seeing or knowing how we do so. Once (St.) Anthony the Great asked a visitor who said nothing at all, ‘Why do you not ask me anything?’ and the other answered, ‘It is enough for me to look at you, holy father’.
Alexander Elchaninov
You cannot cure the soul of others or ‘help people,’ without having changed yourself. You cannot put in order the spiritual economy of others, so long as there is chaos in your own soul. You cannot bring peace to others if you do not have it yourself. Often, we help other people, not by a series of conscious acts directed upon their soul, but rather by influencing them through our spiritual gifts, without ourselves seeing or knowing how we do so. Once (St.) Anthony the Great asked a visitor who said nothing at all, ‘Why do you not ask me anything?’ and the other answered, ‘It is enough for me to look at you, holy father’.
Alexander Elchaninov
On Prayer
7 May 2025
The most powerful prayer, one well-nigh omnipotent, and the worthiest work of all is the outcome of a quiet mind. The quieter it is the more powerful, the worthier, the deeper, the more telling and more perfect the prayer is. To the quiet mind all things are possible. What is a quiet mind? A quiet mind is one which nothing weighs on, nothing worries, which, free from ties and from all self-seeking, is wholly merged into the will of God and dead to its own.
Meister Eckhart
The most powerful prayer, one well-nigh omnipotent, and the worthiest work of all is the outcome of a quiet mind. The quieter it is the more powerful, the worthier, the deeper, the more telling and more perfect the prayer is. To the quiet mind all things are possible. What is a quiet mind? A quiet mind is one which nothing weighs on, nothing worries, which, free from ties and from all self-seeking, is wholly merged into the will of God and dead to its own.
Meister Eckhart
On Corporate Worship
6 May 2025
The role of the people in services of corporate worship is [. . .] a most important one. If it is true that, in a sense, a liturgy is a drama, then is it likewise true that in the Lutheran church all worshipers are not merely onlookers, but dramatis personae, performers of the Liturgy, Onlookers may dream away time and while away the moments, but performers must be alert and on the job; they must exert themselves and put forth effort. Those who fault The Lutheran Liturgy, who see in it only a form and little that is of spiritual value, often betray with their remarks that they do not really participate as they should, but merely look on; [. . .] it would be well for them to begin with themselves before they fault others.
Walter E. Buszin
The role of the people in services of corporate worship is [. . .] a most important one. If it is true that, in a sense, a liturgy is a drama, then is it likewise true that in the Lutheran church all worshipers are not merely onlookers, but dramatis personae, performers of the Liturgy, Onlookers may dream away time and while away the moments, but performers must be alert and on the job; they must exert themselves and put forth effort. Those who fault The Lutheran Liturgy, who see in it only a form and little that is of spiritual value, often betray with their remarks that they do not really participate as they should, but merely look on; [. . .] it would be well for them to begin with themselves before they fault others.
Walter E. Buszin
The Humble Soul
5 May 2025
Humility is dependence on God as pride is independence of Him. The humble soul is always the thankful soul.
Blessed Fulton Sheen
Humility is dependence on God as pride is independence of Him. The humble soul is always the thankful soul.
Blessed Fulton Sheen
Blessings of Honest Labor
4 May 2025
Those of you who earn your bread by means of your toil and sweat should rejoice, because that bread is blessed; and if you give a little of it as alms it is reckoned as much.
St. Kosmas Aitolos
Those of you who earn your bread by means of your toil and sweat should rejoice, because that bread is blessed; and if you give a little of it as alms it is reckoned as much.
St. Kosmas Aitolos
In and With the Lord
3 May
2025
Yesterday I was crucified with Him. Today I am glorified
with Him! Yesterday I died with Him. Today I am made alive with Him! Yesterday
I was buried with Him. Today I rise again with Him! To Him who suffered and
rose for us, let us offer — what? Maybe you’ll think I’m going to say we should
offer Him gold, silver, costly tapestries, or crystal-clear precious stones.
But such things are the earth’s mere vanishing stuff, forever limited to this
world, generally owned by bad people — the world’s slaves, the bondsmen of this
world’s Prince.
St Gregory Nazianzen
Light of Light
1 May 2025
The man who gazes on heaven with a clear eye will see all the better the darkness of earthly things: for though these emit a certain kind of brilliance, the splendor of heaven darkens all their light.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
The man who gazes on heaven with a clear eye will see all the better the darkness of earthly things: for though these emit a certain kind of brilliance, the splendor of heaven darkens all their light.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Peace and Stillness of the Soul
30 April 2025
Watch yourself with all diligence, lest the enemy steals near and robs you, depriving you of this great treasure, which is inner peace and stillness of soul.
Lawrence Scupoli
Watch yourself with all diligence, lest the enemy steals near and robs you, depriving you of this great treasure, which is inner peace and stillness of soul.
Lawrence Scupoli
The Lord Delights in Us
29 April 2025
Why on earth did the Lord make something like you? There is only one like you—ever has been, ever will be. The Lord multiplies His delight. He doesn’t have the same delight in any hundred of the same. He has a different delight in each unique one of us, and He invites us into delighting with Him in each one. […] What clinched our Lord’s delight in each one of us was His baptizing us. He says you are one of Mine, yes, you. My name I put on you with the water. You are the only one like you, so you can have delight in all My gifts to you as I delight in your crinkly ears, gray hair, funny belly button, and eyes that speak like nobody else’s.
Norman Nagel
Why on earth did the Lord make something like you? There is only one like you—ever has been, ever will be. The Lord multiplies His delight. He doesn’t have the same delight in any hundred of the same. He has a different delight in each unique one of us, and He invites us into delighting with Him in each one. […] What clinched our Lord’s delight in each one of us was His baptizing us. He says you are one of Mine, yes, you. My name I put on you with the water. You are the only one like you, so you can have delight in all My gifts to you as I delight in your crinkly ears, gray hair, funny belly button, and eyes that speak like nobody else’s.
Norman Nagel
The Table
28 April 2025
Friendship, camaraderie, even group dynamics, are all good and enjoyable as far as they go. But they are not yet what the New Testament means by fellowship. The real “Family Table” around which the Christian family gathers is the Holy Supper of Christ. Other tables may be ever so pleasant, but they cannot replace The Table. Let us never rest content with lesser fellowships, but ever draw and be drawn into the full unity of the One Lord, the One Faith, and the One Baptism (Ephesians 4), so that we may openly and honestly act as the One Body in the One Spirit. That is what our entrance together into the New Testament Holy of Holies—the Sacrament of the Bread of Life—means and must mean.
Kurt Marquart
Friendship, camaraderie, even group dynamics, are all good and enjoyable as far as they go. But they are not yet what the New Testament means by fellowship. The real “Family Table” around which the Christian family gathers is the Holy Supper of Christ. Other tables may be ever so pleasant, but they cannot replace The Table. Let us never rest content with lesser fellowships, but ever draw and be drawn into the full unity of the One Lord, the One Faith, and the One Baptism (Ephesians 4), so that we may openly and honestly act as the One Body in the One Spirit. That is what our entrance together into the New Testament Holy of Holies—the Sacrament of the Bread of Life—means and must mean.
Kurt Marquart
The Pax
27 April 2025
The fact that the kiss of peace appears in the conclusion of 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Romans and 1 Peter has suggested that the epistle was read as sermon, and that the Pax indicates the transition to the Holy Communion. Only those who receive and give the kiss of peace are welcomed to the Lord’s Table. The “Didascalia” (early third century) evokes the vivid scene of the kiss of peace, which comes from the altar, coming to a sudden halt as it is being given and received all the way round. The presiding minister leaves the altar and goes to where the kiss of peace is blocked. Only after he has worked reconciliation (pacem facere inter eos [Matthew 5:24; 6:15; 7:6]) does the kiss of peace continue on its way all the way round, and only then does the liturgy proceed. We may regret the loss of the actual kiss of peace. Yet whether by kiss or handshake or words, the Pax is given and received. It comes from the Lord and we receive and embrace it together with our Amen. It is His gift, not something we set going. Lamentable is the disintegration of the liturgy at this point into lots of separate heartinesses. The one so-called Pax, from the Lord, was beautifully expressed by the usage with a piece of wood, metal, or ivory upon which a Calvary was carved. It came from the altar and was kissed by the presiding minister, and then in turn by all the communicants. How little chance for such a usage among us time-pressured people is shown by those instances when even parts of the Holy Communion are lopped off—and this at times for the sake of some cozy pleasantries or program promotions.
Norman Nagel
The fact that the kiss of peace appears in the conclusion of 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Romans and 1 Peter has suggested that the epistle was read as sermon, and that the Pax indicates the transition to the Holy Communion. Only those who receive and give the kiss of peace are welcomed to the Lord’s Table. The “Didascalia” (early third century) evokes the vivid scene of the kiss of peace, which comes from the altar, coming to a sudden halt as it is being given and received all the way round. The presiding minister leaves the altar and goes to where the kiss of peace is blocked. Only after he has worked reconciliation (pacem facere inter eos [Matthew 5:24; 6:15; 7:6]) does the kiss of peace continue on its way all the way round, and only then does the liturgy proceed. We may regret the loss of the actual kiss of peace. Yet whether by kiss or handshake or words, the Pax is given and received. It comes from the Lord and we receive and embrace it together with our Amen. It is His gift, not something we set going. Lamentable is the disintegration of the liturgy at this point into lots of separate heartinesses. The one so-called Pax, from the Lord, was beautifully expressed by the usage with a piece of wood, metal, or ivory upon which a Calvary was carved. It came from the altar and was kissed by the presiding minister, and then in turn by all the communicants. How little chance for such a usage among us time-pressured people is shown by those instances when even parts of the Holy Communion are lopped off—and this at times for the sake of some cozy pleasantries or program promotions.
Norman Nagel
All Temptations
26 April 2025
The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways. Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just. Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are. Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.
Saint Francis de Sales
The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways. Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just. Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are. Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.
Saint Francis de Sales
On the Resurrection
25 April 2025
"And the third day he rose again"; what are we to make of that? One thing is certain: If he was God and nothing else, His immorality means nothing to us; if He was man and no more, His death mean nothing more than yours and mine. But if He was really both God and man, then when the man Jesus died, God died too, and when the God Jesus rose from the dead, man rose too, because they were one and the same person.
Dorothy Sayers
"And the third day he rose again"; what are we to make of that? One thing is certain: If he was God and nothing else, His immorality means nothing to us; if He was man and no more, His death mean nothing more than yours and mine. But if He was really both God and man, then when the man Jesus died, God died too, and when the God Jesus rose from the dead, man rose too, because they were one and the same person.
Dorothy Sayers
O Holy Spirit
24 April 2025
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy. Amen.
Saint Augustine
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy. Amen.
Saint Augustine
Our Shared Humanity
23 April 2025
Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.
Henri Nouwen
Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.
Henri Nouwen
On Earthly Delights and Spiritual Pleasures
22 April 2025
All earthly delights are sweeter in expectation than in enjoyment; but all spiritual pleasures more in fruition than in expectation.
François Fénèlon
All earthly delights are sweeter in expectation than in enjoyment; but all spiritual pleasures more in fruition than in expectation.
François Fénèlon
Given to Us by the Holy Spirit
21 April 2025
It is necessary that the Holy Spirit enter our heart. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
It is necessary that the Holy Spirit enter our heart. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
Persevering Until Death
19 April 2025
Above all, as sanctity does not consist in being faithful for a day or a year but in persevering until death, we must use God as a shield which covers us completely because we are attacked from all sides. God must do everything. All the better; there will be no fear of failure. As for ourselves, we have only to acknowledge our powerlessness and to be fervent and constant in asking for help through the intercession of Mary, to whom God refuses nothing.
Saint Claude de la Colombiere
Above all, as sanctity does not consist in being faithful for a day or a year but in persevering until death, we must use God as a shield which covers us completely because we are attacked from all sides. God must do everything. All the better; there will be no fear of failure. As for ourselves, we have only to acknowledge our powerlessness and to be fervent and constant in asking for help through the intercession of Mary, to whom God refuses nothing.
Saint Claude de la Colombiere
The Paradox of Divine Love
18 April 2025
By a beautiful paradox of Divine love, God makes His Cross the very means of our salvation and our life. We have slain Him; we have nailed Him there and crucified Him; but the Love in His eternal heart could not be extinguished. He willed to give us the very life we slew; to give us the very Food we destroyed; to nourish us with the very Bread we buried, and the very Blood we poured forth. He made our very crime into a happy fault; He turned a Crucifixion into a Redemption; a Consecration into a Communion; a death into Life Everlasting.
Blessed Fulton Sheen
By a beautiful paradox of Divine love, God makes His Cross the very means of our salvation and our life. We have slain Him; we have nailed Him there and crucified Him; but the Love in His eternal heart could not be extinguished. He willed to give us the very life we slew; to give us the very Food we destroyed; to nourish us with the very Bread we buried, and the very Blood we poured forth. He made our very crime into a happy fault; He turned a Crucifixion into a Redemption; a Consecration into a Communion; a death into Life Everlasting.
Blessed Fulton Sheen
On Unhappiness
17 April 2025
Silence. All human unhappiness comes from not knowing how to stay quietly in a room.
Blaise Pascal
Silence. All human unhappiness comes from not knowing how to stay quietly in a room.
Blaise Pascal
Imitators of Christ
16 April 2025
The Christian who desires to follow Jesus carrying his cross must bear in mind that the name “Christian” means “learner or imitator of Christ” and that if he wishes to bear that noble title worthily he must above all do as Christ charges us in the Gospel: We must oppose or deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow him.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret
The Christian who desires to follow Jesus carrying his cross must bear in mind that the name “Christian” means “learner or imitator of Christ” and that if he wishes to bear that noble title worthily he must above all do as Christ charges us in the Gospel: We must oppose or deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow him.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret
Add to Our Existence
15 April 2025
For what purpose does the Lord add day after day, year after year, to our existence? In order that we may gradually put away, cast aside, evil from our souls, each one his own, and acquire blessed simplicity; in order that we may become, for instance, gentle as lambs, simple as infants; in order that we may learn not to have the least attachment to earthly things, but like loving, simple children, may cling with all our hearts to God alone, and love Him with all our hearts, all our souls, all our strength, and all our thoughts, and our neighbor as ourselves.
Saint John of Kronstadt
For what purpose does the Lord add day after day, year after year, to our existence? In order that we may gradually put away, cast aside, evil from our souls, each one his own, and acquire blessed simplicity; in order that we may become, for instance, gentle as lambs, simple as infants; in order that we may learn not to have the least attachment to earthly things, but like loving, simple children, may cling with all our hearts to God alone, and love Him with all our hearts, all our souls, all our strength, and all our thoughts, and our neighbor as ourselves.
Saint John of Kronstadt
The State of Grace
14 April 2025
The state of grace is nothing other than purity, and it gives heaven to those who clothe themselves in it. Holiness, therefore, is simply the state of grace purified, illuminated, beautified by the most perfect purity, exempt not only from mortal sin but also from the smallest faults; purity will make saints of you! Everything lies in this!
Saint Peter Julian Eymard
The state of grace is nothing other than purity, and it gives heaven to those who clothe themselves in it. Holiness, therefore, is simply the state of grace purified, illuminated, beautified by the most perfect purity, exempt not only from mortal sin but also from the smallest faults; purity will make saints of you! Everything lies in this!
Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Trusting God
13 April 2025
Lay all your cares about the future trustingly in God’s hands, and let yourself be guided by the Lord just like a little child.
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Lay all your cares about the future trustingly in God’s hands, and let yourself be guided by the Lord just like a little child.
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Sin and Repentance
12 April 2025
Do not be ashamed when you repent. Pay attention to what the devil did to you. These are two things: sin and repentance. Sin is a wound; repentance is a medicine.
St. John Chrysostom
Do not be ashamed when you repent. Pay attention to what the devil did to you. These are two things: sin and repentance. Sin is a wound; repentance is a medicine.
St. John Chrysostom
God is Our Strength
11 April 2025
When God is our strength, it is strength indeed; when our strength is our own, it is only weakness.
Saint Augustine
When God is our strength, it is strength indeed; when our strength is our own, it is only weakness.
Saint Augustine
On the Psalms
10 April 2025
The psalms have also a wonderful power to awaken in our hearts the desire for every virtue. Athanasius says: ‘Though all Scripture, both old and new, is divinely inspired and has its use in teaching, as we read in Scripture itself, yet the Book of Psalms, like a garden enclosing the fruits of all the other books, produces its fruits in song, and in the process of singing brings forth its own special fruits to take their place beside them.’ In the same place Athanasius rightly adds: ‘The psalms seem to me to be like a mirror, in which the person using them can see himself, and the stirrings of his own heart; he can recite them against the background of his own emotions.’
Saint Pius X
The psalms have also a wonderful power to awaken in our hearts the desire for every virtue. Athanasius says: ‘Though all Scripture, both old and new, is divinely inspired and has its use in teaching, as we read in Scripture itself, yet the Book of Psalms, like a garden enclosing the fruits of all the other books, produces its fruits in song, and in the process of singing brings forth its own special fruits to take their place beside them.’ In the same place Athanasius rightly adds: ‘The psalms seem to me to be like a mirror, in which the person using them can see himself, and the stirrings of his own heart; he can recite them against the background of his own emotions.’
Saint Pius X
Poor Miserable Sinner
9 April 2025
What is wrong with me? I know nothing that is good; I cannot even think of it.
I, a sinner — alas, what can I do? I do not know and cannot even think what will become of me because of my many, many sins.
Oh, where shall I turn, to whom shall I run for help to cover my shameful sins and remove them with repentance?
I will turn back in my heart, return in true repentance to you, God, who have touched my wounds.
Awakened from the sleep of death, I will not sin again in thought, word or deed.
Saint Hildegarde of Bingen
What is wrong with me? I know nothing that is good; I cannot even think of it.
I, a sinner — alas, what can I do? I do not know and cannot even think what will become of me because of my many, many sins.
Oh, where shall I turn, to whom shall I run for help to cover my shameful sins and remove them with repentance?
I will turn back in my heart, return in true repentance to you, God, who have touched my wounds.
Awakened from the sleep of death, I will not sin again in thought, word or deed.
Saint Hildegarde of Bingen
The Holy Spirit
8 April 2025
The Holy Spirit rests in the soul of the just like the dove in her nest, hatching good desires in a pure soul, as the dove hatches her young.
Saint John Vianney
The Holy Spirit rests in the soul of the just like the dove in her nest, hatching good desires in a pure soul, as the dove hatches her young.
Saint John Vianney
Do all to the Glory of God
7 April 2025
Whatever you do, think of the glory of God as your main goal.
St John Bosco
Whatever you do, think of the glory of God as your main goal.
St John Bosco
Seek and Serve the Truth
6 April 2025
No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Plea for Spiritual Cleansing and Guidance
5 April 2025
Almighty and everlasting God, at evening, and morning, and noon day, we humbly beseech Thee that Thou would drive from our hearts the darkness of sin and make us come to the true Light, which is Christ; which is the same Jesus Christ Thy Son.
Gelasian Sacramentary
Almighty and everlasting God, at evening, and morning, and noon day, we humbly beseech Thee that Thou would drive from our hearts the darkness of sin and make us come to the true Light, which is Christ; which is the same Jesus Christ Thy Son.
Gelasian Sacramentary
The End Draws Near
4 April 2025
The end draws near, O my soul, the end draws near. Yet thou dost not care or make ready. The days of our lives pass swiftly, as dream, as a flower. Why do we trouble ourselves in vain?
Great Cannon of St. Andrew of Crete
The end draws near, O my soul, the end draws near. Yet thou dost not care or make ready. The days of our lives pass swiftly, as dream, as a flower. Why do we trouble ourselves in vain?
Great Cannon of St. Andrew of Crete
The Liturgy
3 April 2025
Christian liturgy was a celebration of the presence of the living Christ. It is not the memorial meal commemorating something that happened in the past. As Augustine said on a sermon of Psalm 22, the great psalm of Christ's passion, the liturgy "makes present what took place in time past, and in this way it moves us as if we were watching our Lord hanging on the cross."
Robert Louis Wilken
Christian liturgy was a celebration of the presence of the living Christ. It is not the memorial meal commemorating something that happened in the past. As Augustine said on a sermon of Psalm 22, the great psalm of Christ's passion, the liturgy "makes present what took place in time past, and in this way it moves us as if we were watching our Lord hanging on the cross."
Robert Louis Wilken
Holy Indifference
2 April 2025
Holy indifference is a ceasing of either to desire or to will, except in cooperation with the divine leading. Its desires for itself, as it has greater light, are more completely and permanently merged in the one higher and more absorbing desire of God’s glory and the fulfillment of his will.
François Fénelon
Holy indifference is a ceasing of either to desire or to will, except in cooperation with the divine leading. Its desires for itself, as it has greater light, are more completely and permanently merged in the one higher and more absorbing desire of God’s glory and the fulfillment of his will.
François Fénelon
The spirit of Faith
1 April 2025
It is not the actual physical exertion that counts toward a man’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.
Saint Francis Xavier
It is not the actual physical exertion that counts toward a man’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.
Saint Francis Xavier
On Good Deeds
31 March 2025
The most precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who do all that they do as zealously as possible: for to do good deeds in not enough by itself; we must do them well.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
The most precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who do all that they do as zealously as possible: for to do good deeds in not enough by itself; we must do them well.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
His Presence in You
30 March 2025
When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.
Saint Francis de Sales
When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.
Saint Francis de Sales
There is One Lord
29 March 2025
There is one work because there is one mystery, there is one baptism because there is one death for the world. There is a unity of outlook which cannot be separated.
St. Ambrose
There is one work because there is one mystery, there is one baptism because there is one death for the world. There is a unity of outlook which cannot be separated.
St. Ambrose
Christ With You
28 March 2025
Place your heart gently in Our Lord’s wounds. Have great confidence in His mercy for He will never abandon you.
Saint Pio
Place your heart gently in Our Lord’s wounds. Have great confidence in His mercy for He will never abandon you.
Saint Pio
A Beautiful Paradox of Divine Love
27 March 2025
By a beautiful paradox of Divine love, God makes His Cross the very means of our salvation and our life. We have slain Him; we have nailed Him there and crucified Him; but the Love in His eternal heart could not be extinguished. He willed to give us the very life we slew; to give us the very Food we destroyed; to nourish us with the very Bread we buried, and the very Blood we poured forth. He made our very crime into a happy fault; He turned a Crucifixion into a Redemption; a Consecration into a Communion; a death into Life Everlasting
Blessed Fulton Sheen
By a beautiful paradox of Divine love, God makes His Cross the very means of our salvation and our life. We have slain Him; we have nailed Him there and crucified Him; but the Love in His eternal heart could not be extinguished. He willed to give us the very life we slew; to give us the very Food we destroyed; to nourish us with the very Bread we buried, and the very Blood we poured forth. He made our very crime into a happy fault; He turned a Crucifixion into a Redemption; a Consecration into a Communion; a death into Life Everlasting
Blessed Fulton Sheen
The Source of All Grace
26 March 2025
The source of all grace is God’s love for us, and he has revealed this not just in words but also in deeds.
Saint Josemaría Escrivá
The source of all grace is God’s love for us, and he has revealed this not just in words but also in deeds.
Saint Josemaría Escrivá
Our Own Need for God
25 March 2025
Out of this grows the love of our neighbors, for we now esteem them, and no longer judge them as we used to do, when we looked upon ourselves as exceedingly fervent, and upon others as not. Now we see nothing but our own need for God, which we keep so constantly before our eyes that we can look upon nothing else.
Saint John of the Cross
Out of this grows the love of our neighbors, for we now esteem them, and no longer judge them as we used to do, when we looked upon ourselves as exceedingly fervent, and upon others as not. Now we see nothing but our own need for God, which we keep so constantly before our eyes that we can look upon nothing else.
Saint John of the Cross
God's Mercy
24 March 2025
If we stop to think how great is the mercy of God, we would never cease doing all the good we can, for while we on our side, for love of him, give to the poor what he gives us he promises us a hundred fold in Heavenly glory.
Saint John of God
If we stop to think how great is the mercy of God, we would never cease doing all the good we can, for while we on our side, for love of him, give to the poor what he gives us he promises us a hundred fold in Heavenly glory.
Saint John of God
On Morning Prayer
23 March 2025
The essence of morning prayer is to thank God for sleep, rest and regained strength and to pray that He will help us do everything to His glory. Express this to Him with your mind and with your whole heart.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
The essence of morning prayer is to thank God for sleep, rest and regained strength and to pray that He will help us do everything to His glory. Express this to Him with your mind and with your whole heart.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
Draw Near to God
22 March 2025
Both Holy Scriptures and personal experience testify that, in order to draw near to God, it is necessary for the sinner to suffer, weep, shed tears, and convert his deceitful heart.
Saint John of Kronstadt
Both Holy Scriptures and personal experience testify that, in order to draw near to God, it is necessary for the sinner to suffer, weep, shed tears, and convert his deceitful heart.
Saint John of Kronstadt
God's Infinite Mercy
21 March 2025
What God asks of us and offers us is simply to receive his infinite mercy. That God loves us is a reality sometimes hard to comprehend. But when we discover that his love is forgiveness above all else, our hearts find peace and are even transformed.
Brother Roger of Taize
What God asks of us and offers us is simply to receive his infinite mercy. That God loves us is a reality sometimes hard to comprehend. But when we discover that his love is forgiveness above all else, our hearts find peace and are even transformed.
Brother Roger of Taize
The Saving Communion
20 March 2025
Inexpressibly great must be the value of our souls, since they are fed with the precious ransom of their own redemption.
Johann Gerhard
Inexpressibly great must be the value of our souls, since they are fed with the precious ransom of their own redemption.
Johann Gerhard
God With Us
19 March 2025
Don’t think so much about who is for or against you, rather give all your care, that God be with you in everything you do.
Thomas à Kempis
Don’t think so much about who is for or against you, rather give all your care, that God be with you in everything you do.
Thomas à Kempis
Through the Spirit
18 March 2025
From the Spirit comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of the mysteries of faith, insight into the hidden meaning of Scripture, and other special gifts. Through the Spirit we become citizens of heaven, we enter into eternal happiness, and abide in God. Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; indeed, we attain what is beyond our most sublime aspirations – we become God.
Saint Basil the Great
From the Spirit comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of the mysteries of faith, insight into the hidden meaning of Scripture, and other special gifts. Through the Spirit we become citizens of heaven, we enter into eternal happiness, and abide in God. Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; indeed, we attain what is beyond our most sublime aspirations – we become God.
Saint Basil the Great
The Holy Trinity
17 March 2025
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the Creator of creation.
St. Patrick
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the Creator of creation.
St. Patrick
On Fasting
16 March 2025
For the honor of fasting consists not in abstinence from food, but in withdrawing from sinful practices. […]
If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! If you see a friend gaining honor, do not envy him. […]
What advantage is it, if we have gone through the fast devoid of works?
If another says, “I have fasted the whole of Lent,” you should say, “I had an enemy, but I was reconciled; I had a custom of evil-speaking, but I put a stop to it; I had a custom of swearing, but I have broken through this evil practice.”
St. John Chrysostom
For the honor of fasting consists not in abstinence from food, but in withdrawing from sinful practices. […]
If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! If you see a friend gaining honor, do not envy him. […]
What advantage is it, if we have gone through the fast devoid of works?
If another says, “I have fasted the whole of Lent,” you should say, “I had an enemy, but I was reconciled; I had a custom of evil-speaking, but I put a stop to it; I had a custom of swearing, but I have broken through this evil practice.”
St. John Chrysostom
The Marvels of the Passion
15 March 2025
Amongst all the marvels of the passion what we should most dwell upon is the unspeakable love with which Christ suffered for us, that we may love Him more and suffer with Him more sweetly. But chiefly that we may imitate Him, and be conformed to His image.
Saint Louis de Blois
Amongst all the marvels of the passion what we should most dwell upon is the unspeakable love with which Christ suffered for us, that we may love Him more and suffer with Him more sweetly. But chiefly that we may imitate Him, and be conformed to His image.
Saint Louis de Blois
Imitate Christ’s Life
14 March 2025
We must imitate Christ’s life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.
Thomas à Kempis
We must imitate Christ’s life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.
Thomas à Kempis
The Spirit
13 March 2025
The spirit is the source of holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help it in its search for truth. By nature the Spirit is beyond the reach of our mind, but we can know him by his goodness. The power of the Spirit fills the whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith.
Saint Basil the Great
The spirit is the source of holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help it in its search for truth. By nature the Spirit is beyond the reach of our mind, but we can know him by his goodness. The power of the Spirit fills the whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith.
Saint Basil the Great
On Righteousness
12 March 2025
We are then righteous when we confess that we are sinners, and our righteousness depends not upon our own merits, but on the mercy of God, as the Holy Scripture says, "The righteous man accuses himself when he begins to speak," and elsewhere, "Tell your sins that you may be justified." Romans 11:32 "God has shut up all under sin, that He may have mercy upon all." And the highest righteousness of man is this—whatever virtue he may be able to acquire, not to think it his own, but the gift of God.
St. Jerome
We are then righteous when we confess that we are sinners, and our righteousness depends not upon our own merits, but on the mercy of God, as the Holy Scripture says, "The righteous man accuses himself when he begins to speak," and elsewhere, "Tell your sins that you may be justified." Romans 11:32 "God has shut up all under sin, that He may have mercy upon all." And the highest righteousness of man is this—whatever virtue he may be able to acquire, not to think it his own, but the gift of God.
St. Jerome
On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins
11 March 2025
See how Job, too, confesses his sins, and says how sure he is that there is none righteous before the Lord. He is also sure of this, that 'if we say we have no sin...the truth is not in us.' While, therefore, God bestows on him His high testimony of righteousness, according to the standard of human conduct, Job himself took his measure from that rule of righteousness, which, as well as he can, he beholds in God. Knowing this is true, he goes on to say, 'How will a mortal be just before the Lord?'
St. Augustine
See how Job, too, confesses his sins, and says how sure he is that there is none righteous before the Lord. He is also sure of this, that 'if we say we have no sin...the truth is not in us.' While, therefore, God bestows on him His high testimony of righteousness, according to the standard of human conduct, Job himself took his measure from that rule of righteousness, which, as well as he can, he beholds in God. Knowing this is true, he goes on to say, 'How will a mortal be just before the Lord?'
St. Augustine
A Submissive Heart
10 March 2025
The heart is where faith and righteousness is received through the Word in which God reveals and affects the person's relationship to himself. A heart submissive to God and clinging to his chosen words of grace then yearns for ongoing conformation, healing and renewal.
Jared Wicks
The heart is where faith and righteousness is received through the Word in which God reveals and affects the person's relationship to himself. A heart submissive to God and clinging to his chosen words of grace then yearns for ongoing conformation, healing and renewal.
Jared Wicks
Doing the Father's Will
9 March 2025
Jesus is not deflected at His temptation. When subsequently tempted to put on a show of power that would reveal a God who would fit our notions, Jesus resolutely refuses. He never uses His power for Himself. Jesus is the man for others. As such He had no basis for fear, for fear is self-regarding. Jesus came to do the Father’s will that was “for us and for our salvation.” It was the weight of what that involved, not fear, that brought Jesus low in Gethsemane. Yet He held to the Father’s will and went on to Calvary. There Jesus did what only He could do. He did it for us, for if we had to bear our sin’s burden that would be the end of us.
Norman Nagel
Jesus is not deflected at His temptation. When subsequently tempted to put on a show of power that would reveal a God who would fit our notions, Jesus resolutely refuses. He never uses His power for Himself. Jesus is the man for others. As such He had no basis for fear, for fear is self-regarding. Jesus came to do the Father’s will that was “for us and for our salvation.” It was the weight of what that involved, not fear, that brought Jesus low in Gethsemane. Yet He held to the Father’s will and went on to Calvary. There Jesus did what only He could do. He did it for us, for if we had to bear our sin’s burden that would be the end of us.
Norman Nagel
Our Righteousness
8 March 2025
We then say, that in many things we all of us offend, and that no man is pure from uncleanness, even though his life upon earth be but one day. Let us ask then of God mercy; which if we do, Christ will justify us; by Whom and with Whom, to God the Father, be praise and dominion, with the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
We then say, that in many things we all of us offend, and that no man is pure from uncleanness, even though his life upon earth be but one day. Let us ask then of God mercy; which if we do, Christ will justify us; by Whom and with Whom, to God the Father, be praise and dominion, with the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Clothed in Righteousness
7 March 2025
The adversary has deceived me; he has stripped me of my garment and stolen it away. Because of him I remain fruitless and must go to the judgment entirely naked. May Thy mercy be for me a robe in the day of judgment!
St. Ephrem the Syrian
The adversary has deceived me; he has stripped me of my garment and stolen it away. Because of him I remain fruitless and must go to the judgment entirely naked. May Thy mercy be for me a robe in the day of judgment!
St. Ephrem the Syrian
On Music
4 March 2025
I am not satisfied with him who despised music, as all fanatics do; for music is an endowment and a gift of God, not a gift of men. It also drives away the devil and makes people cheerful; one forgets all anger, unchasteness, pride, and other vices. I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.
Martin Luther
I am not satisfied with him who despised music, as all fanatics do; for music is an endowment and a gift of God, not a gift of men. It also drives away the devil and makes people cheerful; one forgets all anger, unchasteness, pride, and other vices. I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.
Martin Luther
Live by the Spirit
2 March 2025
Your brother does not cease to be your brother because he slips or offends you; that is when he has most need of your love. Loving your neighbor as yourself means that you should not obey the sinful nature, which, when it is offended, hates and bites and devours. Rather, you should wrestle against it by the Spirit and continue loving your neighbor, although you find nothing worthy of love in him. Our righteousness is much more abundant than our sin, because the holiness and righteousness of Christ our Mediator far exceeds the sin of the whole world, and the forgiveness of sins that we have through him is so great that it easily swallows up all our sins, so long as we live by the Spirit.
Martin Luther
Your brother does not cease to be your brother because he slips or offends you; that is when he has most need of your love. Loving your neighbor as yourself means that you should not obey the sinful nature, which, when it is offended, hates and bites and devours. Rather, you should wrestle against it by the Spirit and continue loving your neighbor, although you find nothing worthy of love in him. Our righteousness is much more abundant than our sin, because the holiness and righteousness of Christ our Mediator far exceeds the sin of the whole world, and the forgiveness of sins that we have through him is so great that it easily swallows up all our sins, so long as we live by the Spirit.
Martin Luther
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