Daily Readings:
JER 7:23-28; PS 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; LK 11:14-23
Reflection: Ah, how God knows our weakness and He knows that we must be reminded time and again of our need to obey Him, to listen to Him, and to follow Him. “Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.” Unless we follow God, fully and completely, we will scatter and be an evil people that has turned their backs on God. We have no need to request a “sign” of God’s presence, for He sent His son to dwell among us and to die for us. Will we be yet another nation “that does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction?” Have we lost our faithfulness, or are we a people that is strong, obedient, and willing to stand up and speak out for our faith and for our God?
Reflection for younger saints: God has reminded us again that we are to give our whole lives to love and serve God and to follow His commandments. He sent Jesus to die for our sins to show us how much He loves us. Now, we must follow His commandments and show God how much we love Him.
Big Picture: Listen to God’s voice
Discussion Starters:
Younger saints: How is your memorization of the Ten Commandments coming? Read through the Ten Commandments again today. Are there any of the Commandments that you have trouble keeping?
Older saints: Reflect on the closing sentence of the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah: “Say to them: This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speed.” How would you describe our nation? Are we being faithful and obedient to God? How can change your life to be more faithful? How can you be a better outward example of being faithful to God?
Fun Fact: During the Mass there are opportunities to both give and receive, and to both speak and listen.
Saint of the day:
Name: Saints Perpetua and Felicity
What they are remembered for: Saint Perpetua was a well-educated young woman of noble stature who, in-spite of the urgings of her father to denounce of Christian faith, lived a faithful life. She and Saint Felicity, a slave woman and expectant mother, were forced to participate in the public games as a result of their faith. They were both beheaded for their faith.
Feast day: March 7
“When my father in his affection for me was trying to turn me from my purpose by arguments and thus weaken my faith, I said to him, ‘Do you see this vessel—waterpot or whatever it may be? Can it be called by any other name than what it is?’ ‘No,’ he replied. ‘So also I cannot call myself by any other name than what I am—a Christian.’” Saint Perpetua
Daily Notes:
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
"Raising Amazing Children" by Matthew Kelly
Please bear with me, as I know this is a long
one. I contemplated breaking it up, but
I think the total message will be lost. The
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis recently blessed all of its
parishioners with the opportunity to obtain a free CD by Matthew Kelly entitled
“Raising Amazing Children.” As a mother
of two I was eager to snatch one up and to learn how I can raise faithful and
loving children. Certainly there are
plenty of books written on this subject, but it is harder to find such books
and talks that are written from the perspective of a faithful Catholic. While Matthew Kelly did not have any children
at the time he gave this talk, he reflects on his own childhood and his
observations of others to give some very concrete and easy to follow advice on
how to incorporate small changes into our family life that will result in great
life changes.
Throughout his talk, Matthew Kelly breaks down the
changes and modifications we can incorporate in our daily life into the
following topic headings: family prayer,
creating a family culture, simplifying, and creating a sense of mission. The following will provide a brief overview
of each of these topic headings, to whet your taste buds. I highly recommend seeking out this wonderful
CD so that you can strive to more fully incorporate Matthew Kelly’s message and
changes into your own life.
The topic of family prayer time is not a topic that
was new to me or to my blog. This is an
area of family faith life that I feel very passionately about, so it was
wonderful to hear Matthew Kelly’s passion in this area as well. The media frequently reminds us of the
currently nation divorce rate of roughly 50%.
An interesting point that Matthew Kelly brought up is the fact that 1 in
2000 couples who pray together on regular basis end their marriage with
divorce. The statistical difference is staggering
and certainly reinforces the old adage that “the family that prays together
stays together.” Our lives can and will
be transformed by sacred scripture and by a strong relationship with God, but
this can only take place if we make time to get to know God and to talk to
God. The key here is letting your kids
see you spending time in prayer, letting them see you make this time a
priority, teaching your kids the skills of prayer just as you teach them so
many other skills, teaching them to turn to God for guidance in times of joy
and of happiness, and teaching them to listen for God’s voice in their
lives. We must lay the foundation so
that our kids can build their lives upon a solid foundation rooted in the
faith. Just as we have had to learn to
pray in our own lives, we must pass these skills on to our children as well. As Matthew Kelly states, “we love what we are
familiar with and we love what we know.”
How can our children grow to know and love God and time in prayer if we
do not bring that time to them every day?
Two key take-aways from this topic really struck me. First, he poses the question as to whether
your kids know more about Disney characters or pop stars than they know about
sacred scripture, the life of Jesus, and the Saints? Do we want our kids emulating the characters
on TV, or do we want them emulating faithful and holy lives? On the part of parents, if we don’t bring God
into our kid’s lives they won’t know God, and if they don’t know God, how can
we expect them to follow God? Second, he
provides a very simple idea in that you learn to pray by praying. Sometimes we expect that prayer should just “come
naturally” or be easy. Hundreds of books
would not be written on learning to pray if this was the case. Just as we learn to ride a bike and hit a
ball by practicing, we learn to pray by practicing. We will not be experts at the beginning. We will become distracted, we will lack
focus, but eventually we will build a beautiful relationship with our Lord
through daily conversation with Him in prayer.
In can start as easily as teaching our children common Catholic
prayers. They will quickly rattle them
off and not understand the meaning behind them, but they will have that first
layer of the foundation. Next, it
evolves into explaining what it is we are saying in those prayers. Finally, it grows into an appreciation for
silent prayer, for the time to speak to God as a Father and as a friend, and to
listen to what He might have to share with us.
It doesn’t happen over night, but the beautiful prayer life that your
children will come to know as commonplace will become a key foundation of the
rest of their life.
The next topic that Matthew Kelly touches on is the
idea of a “family culture.” We have all
certainly heard of varying cultures in society and in different centuries, but
the idea of a “family culture” might be a new concept. In essence, your “family culture” is what you
do together as a family and how you have come to value your time together as a
family. Do you eat family meals
together? Do you spend your evenings
watching TV in separate rooms? Do you
talk about your day and share your struggles?
Do you really know eachother, or are you just strangers living under the
same roof? With all the activities that
we get involved in and the social engagements the fill our calendars, it is
easy to quickly lose contact with one another.
Matthew Kelly provides three key recommendations for re-establishing
your “family culture.” First, make
family meals a priority. While this can
not happen every night, at least once or twice a week, sit down to a meal
together as a family. Discuss your day
or your week, and listen and ask questions of one another. “If you can’t get together once a week for
dinner, something is wrong.” Second,
take Sundays off for faith, family, and friends. This is also a great opportunity for
evangelization in that many sport schedules are now starting to infringe on
Sundays. If we all stand up for taking
Sundays “off,” this new trend will disappear.
This is such a blessing that God has given us. It is as if He knew we would fill our
calendars with work and other obligations, He knew we would have trouble saying
no to getting involved in just one more thing, so He blessed us with a
scriptural reason to say “no.” Finally,
designate one night a week as a “no TV” night.
Take time as a family to read books, play games together, spend time in
prayer, or simply talk about life.
Matthew Kelly describes TVs in our homes so eloquently in stating that
they are like a sewage pipe that is literally spewing sewage into our lives and
our homes. He goes on to suggest even
taking a 30 break from the TV. In taking
a step back from the TV you may be amazed at how much you don’t miss it. I can speak from my own experience in that
our family has a TV in our home, but it is rarely turned on. The kids, and myself, seem to get so easily
sucked in so quickly. I enjoy knowing
that it will not be on in the evenings, so we do not even have to have the
discussion about what show might be missed.
I also find great peace in designating Sundays for faith, family, and
friends. Our week can go by so quickly,
and busy evenings can quickly result in our family feeling disconnected. But, I know that Sunday will be our time to
come together, to spend time at Mass, and to spend the day relaxing and playing
as a family. This is time that I would
not sacrifice for anything!
Next, Matthew Kelly issues a call to simplify our
lives. We are constantly trying to fill
our lives with the “next best thing” in our search for happiness, yet these “things”
simply weigh us down and keep us from seeking true happiness in God. He issues a call to take a weekend to go
through your closets, your basement, your attic, and your garage and get rid of
the excess. Get rid of those things you
haven’t used in a year and donate them to someone in need. We must let go of our materialism and our
attachment to things. He cautions us
against doing this without our children, though, as this can be a great learning
opportunity for them. Get your kids
involved in going through their closets and sharing the clothes they no longer
wear, going through their toys and sharing those they no longer play with, and
having them help you when you load these items up and bring them to a location
for donation. I can speak from my own
experience in doing this with my kids.
While they are young, ages four and one, they still got involved in
choosing clothes they no longer wear and toys that don’t get played with as
much. They know that these things will
be donated to kids who may not have as much.
It is wonderful to see their giving spirit, especially when they might
surprise you by giving away one of their favorite toys! It can be a humbling reminder that we are
more attached to their “things” than they are.
Finally, Matthew Kelly delves into our need to
recognize and pursue our mission in life.
He describes the world as being divided into two sets of people: passionate people and miserable people. The one thing that separates these two groups
is a sense of mission. Passionate people
have it and miserable people don’t. “Have
you taken the time to ask God what your mission is and how you are called to
make a difference in people’s lives?”
This can be a scary thing to do.
It is certainly easier to decide for ourselves what our mission in life
is, but the result may not be the plan or the happiness that God had in
store. Sometimes asking this question
will result in a major life or career change.
How are we preparing our kids to seek God’s guidance? Are we talking to our kids about the
discernment process and seeking God’s guidance rather than their own
desires? Society will be quick to tell
them what they should want, what career they should pursue to find the most
happiness (a.k.a. money and things), but is this the guidance we want them to
receive? God is the only person who can
send us on and show us our mission, so unless we have taken time to prayerfully
ask for His guidance and listen to His response, we can not know what He is
calling us to. Within this is also a
call to develop a spirit of service within your own family. Let your children see that there is more to
life than just themselves. Let them see
those who are truly “in need” and let them serve them and learn from them. You never know how those experiences of
service could transform their life and their world view.
One of the big take-aways for me was the call to be
radically counter-cultural. We are
simply in denial if we do not recognize that getting rid of the excess in our lives,
making time for family and prayer a priority, and living out the mission God
has given us is radically counter-cultural.
But, who was the most radically counter-cultural individual in the
course of history? The one and only
Jesus Christ. We are called to follow
Christ, to stand out, to be different, and to bring others to Christ. Others will take notice of your changed
priorities, or your changed family dynamic, and your changed joy for life. They will question you as to where it has all
come from, and you will be given an amazing opportunity to share the blessing of
a life lived as a radically counter-cultural follower of Christ. You can share with them that you had sought
happiness in the past in things, in possessions, in fleeting moments of joy,
but you have found true, lasting happiness in a life lived in and for God. Our social culture doesn’t seem to be heading
down a path that is leading them toward greater happiness, as we see rates of
depression, anxiety, and suicide on the rise at all age levels. Clearly, what we are doing and what we are
seeking is not providing us with the joy we seek. Are you ready to be radically
counter-cultural, to turn your life over to Christ, to seek to know and follow
His mission for you life, and to bring others closer to Christ as well? There is no time like the present to make a
change!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Reflection: We receive quite the call from our Lord today. First, one of obedience to His laws and
commandments, and second, one of teaching others of these commandments. We are told to “take care and be earnestly on
your guard,” as God has already anticipated our temptation toward sin and He
recognizes our need to continually remind ourselves of His laws and
commandments, lest we forget and fall into sin.
We are called to obey God’s commandments and to take responsibility for
knowing them and keeping ourselves accountable to them. Second, we are told we will be held
accountable for teaching these commandments to the next generations, for our
failure to do so will lead us to be “called least in the Kingdom of heaven.” The Lord has given us a tall order of obedience
and education, are you fulfilling your duty?
Reflection
for younger saints:
Today God reminds us that the most important thing we can do in our life
is to love and honor God by following His commandments. We are also told that we must share the
commandments of God with others so that they can know and love and serve God as
well.
Big
Picture: Honor God’s
commandments and teach others to do the same
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: What are the Ten Commandments? If you don’t know them by memory, make that your goal for the week.
Older saints: When was the last time you read through the Ten Commandments and reflected on how they apply to your life? Take time today to read through the Ten Commandments slowly. Reflect on how you are obeying God. Next, reflect on the lives of those around you. Are they obeying God’s commandments? How can you reach out to educate them and draw them closer to God?
Younger saints: What are the Ten Commandments? If you don’t know them by memory, make that your goal for the week.
Older saints: When was the last time you read through the Ten Commandments and reflected on how they apply to your life? Take time today to read through the Ten Commandments slowly. Reflect on how you are obeying God. Next, reflect on the lives of those around you. Are they obeying God’s commandments? How can you reach out to educate them and draw them closer to God?
Fun
Fact: The word
“Eucharist” comes from a Greek word that means giving thanks.
Saint
of the day:
Name: Saint Colette
What they are remembered for: St. Colette was the daughter of a carpenter at Corby Abbey in Picardy, France. When orphaned at 17, she gave all her inheritance to the poor and became a Franciscan tertiary. Following a vision she received, she set out to reform the Poor Clares, and proceeded in founding and reforming a number of convents.
Feast day: March 6
Daily Notes:
Name: Saint Colette
What they are remembered for: St. Colette was the daughter of a carpenter at Corby Abbey in Picardy, France. When orphaned at 17, she gave all her inheritance to the poor and became a Franciscan tertiary. Following a vision she received, she set out to reform the Poor Clares, and proceeded in founding and reforming a number of convents.
Feast day: March 6
Daily Notes:
Monday, March 4, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Reflection: Today we receive a beautiful reminder of our
need to be merciful and forgive others, just as the Father has forgiven
us. It is unlikely that any of us can
say we have gone through life without hurting another, or without being
hurt. We also, then, likely know the
pain that can come from lack of mercy and forgiveness. Just as we seek forgiveness in the Sacrament
of Reconciliation and pray that God will treat us with great mercy and kindness,
the same is requested of us. “Then in
anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the
whole debt. So will my heavenly Father
do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”
Reflection
for younger saints:
Today God reminds us that He is always kind and loving and always
willing to forgive us for our sins. God
also asks us to forgive others and treat them with love and kindness as
well. Sometimes other people will be
mean to us or hurt us, but we should always be kind and forgive them.
Big
Picture: Forgive
others as your Father forgives you
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: Is there any sin or unkind behavior that God will not forgive? (No. As long as we come to God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, He will forgive all of our sins because He loves us.) What did today’s reading teach us about forgiving others?
Older saints: Today’s message of our need to forgive others is likely not a new message for you. Reflect on the closing sentence of the Gospel in which Jesus says “unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” What does that statement mean to you? Do you sometimes tell someone you forgive them, but you continue to be resentful and hold a grudge against them? When you offer forgiveness, is it coming from your heart, or are you going through the motions? Do you have anyone in your life that needs your forgiveness?
Younger saints: Is there any sin or unkind behavior that God will not forgive? (No. As long as we come to God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, He will forgive all of our sins because He loves us.) What did today’s reading teach us about forgiving others?
Older saints: Today’s message of our need to forgive others is likely not a new message for you. Reflect on the closing sentence of the Gospel in which Jesus says “unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” What does that statement mean to you? Do you sometimes tell someone you forgive them, but you continue to be resentful and hold a grudge against them? When you offer forgiveness, is it coming from your heart, or are you going through the motions? Do you have anyone in your life that needs your forgiveness?
Fun
Fact: The word
“Amen” is Hebrew for “so be it.”
Saint
of the day:
Name: Saint John Joseph of the Cross
What they are remembered for: St. John Joseph joined the Franciscans in Naples at the age of 16. He obedience to the Church resulted in his appointment to the positions of novice master, guardian, and provincial. While he maintained these positions, he continued to serve those in positions below his.
Feast day: March 5
Daily Notes:
Name: Saint John Joseph of the Cross
What they are remembered for: St. John Joseph joined the Franciscans in Naples at the age of 16. He obedience to the Church resulted in his appointment to the positions of novice master, guardian, and provincial. While he maintained these positions, he continued to serve those in positions below his.
Feast day: March 5
Daily Notes:
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Reflection: How often are we like Naaman and we question
God’s choice for how He will heal and lead our lives, or we expect great
“fireworks” of change, or we think we have a better idea of when and where our
healing should take place? We see Naaman
nearly walk away from God’s healing power because “I thought that he would
surely come out and stand there to invoke the Lord his God…Are not the rivers
of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar better than all the waters of
Israel?” Naaman thinks he knows better
and he can find a better plan for healing.
It is only by the pleadings and urgings of his servants that he follows
Elisha’s command, and God healing grace transforms his life.
Reflection
for younger saints:
Today we hear a story about how Elisha, through God’s healing power,
heals Naaman from leprosy. Naaman almost
walked away without obeying Elisha’s orders for how to be healed because he
thought he knew better and was expecting something else to provide healing from
his leprosy. His servants convinced him
to obey Elisha and he was healed.
Big
Picture: We do not
know better than God
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: Sometimes we expect God to provide us with great miracles of his healing power, just as Naaman did. When God speaks to us and guides us, is it always a powerful experience with visions and “fireworks.” (No, often God speaks to us and guides us in very small ways. He speaks to us when we quiet our hearts and take time to listen to him.) We saw in the story that Naaman almost walked away without receiving God’s healing, but his servants convinced him to trust Elisha and to trust God. Does God ask us to be like Naaman’s servants and help others to see God and trust God?
Older saints: Today we see an example of Naaman thinking he knows better how God should perform His healing. Do you ever do this in your own life, thinking you know better how and when your life should be healed and changed? We also see Naaman’s servants guide him and convince him to trust in the healing power of God. How can you be like Naaman’t servants and guide others to trust God?
Younger saints: Sometimes we expect God to provide us with great miracles of his healing power, just as Naaman did. When God speaks to us and guides us, is it always a powerful experience with visions and “fireworks.” (No, often God speaks to us and guides us in very small ways. He speaks to us when we quiet our hearts and take time to listen to him.) We saw in the story that Naaman almost walked away without receiving God’s healing, but his servants convinced him to trust Elisha and to trust God. Does God ask us to be like Naaman’s servants and help others to see God and trust God?
Older saints: Today we see an example of Naaman thinking he knows better how God should perform His healing. Do you ever do this in your own life, thinking you know better how and when your life should be healed and changed? We also see Naaman’s servants guide him and convince him to trust in the healing power of God. How can you be like Naaman’t servants and guide others to trust God?
Fun
Fact: The word
“liturgy” comes from a Greek word that means public work.
Saint
of the day:
Name: Saint Casimir
What they are remembered for: St. Casimir was born the 3rd of 15 children, and the son of a King. At an early age he devoted himself to prayer, sacrifice, and a future life of celibacy. After being drawn into war and political life at the age of 15, he vowed never again to be involved in such matters. He died at the age of 23 from lung problems.
Feast day: March 4
Patron Saint of: Lithuania, Poland, Russia
Daily Notes:
Name: Saint Casimir
What they are remembered for: St. Casimir was born the 3rd of 15 children, and the son of a King. At an early age he devoted himself to prayer, sacrifice, and a future life of celibacy. After being drawn into war and political life at the age of 15, he vowed never again to be involved in such matters. He died at the age of 23 from lung problems.
Feast day: March 4
Patron Saint of: Lithuania, Poland, Russia
Daily Notes:
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Reflection for Sunday, March 3, 2013
Reflection: We are reminded once again that we are trees
that have been tended to through participation in the Sacraments and reading of
sacred scripture, and we are then called to bear great fruit for God. We must continually cultivate and fertilize
our soil and the soil of others so that we may all bear the fruit that God
expects us to bear and has called us to bear.
We do this by not desiring evil, by not grumbling against the life God
wills for us, and by not being too secure in our faith to stop working to learn
more. God, who is merciful, gracious,
and abounding in kindness, will hear our crys, will shower us with grace, and
will guide us in being fruitful. All
that earth will see God’s love in us and will then bear witness to our great
fruits.
Reflection
for younger saints:
God asks us to be fruitful like the fig tree. When we spend more time with God and learning
more about God we increase our love of God.
Others see this love of God in us and it helps them to want to know and
love God too.
Big
Picture: We are
called to bear great fruit for God
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: What does it mean to be a fruitful people? (To share stories about Jesus, to love Jesus, and to serve God so that others can know and love God too.) What happens when we do this? (Other people see our lives and want to be happy and love God like us.) Are only priests asked to tell others about God and teach others about the Catholic Church? (No, God asks us all to do this.)
Older saints: Reflect on the lesson we see of the things that keep us from being fruitful: desiring evil, grumbling against God, and not growing in our knowledge and understanding of the faith. Are these things you struggle with in your life? Are you bearing fruit in your life and showing God to others? How can you cultivate and fertilize your soil so you can bear great fruit for God?
Younger saints: What does it mean to be a fruitful people? (To share stories about Jesus, to love Jesus, and to serve God so that others can know and love God too.) What happens when we do this? (Other people see our lives and want to be happy and love God like us.) Are only priests asked to tell others about God and teach others about the Catholic Church? (No, God asks us all to do this.)
Older saints: Reflect on the lesson we see of the things that keep us from being fruitful: desiring evil, grumbling against God, and not growing in our knowledge and understanding of the faith. Are these things you struggle with in your life? Are you bearing fruit in your life and showing God to others? How can you cultivate and fertilize your soil so you can bear great fruit for God?
Scripture
Verse for the Week: “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure
should take care not to fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12
You
are now entering the mission field: Invite someone to Mass or another program
your parish is (Spiritual Work of Mercy:
Instruct the Ignorant) We were
given this one in December, have you done it yet?
Daily Notes:
Friday, March 1, 2013
Reflection for Saturday, March 2, 2013
Daily Readings:
MI 7:14-15, 18-20; PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; LK 15:1-3, 11-32
Reflection: Today we read a well-known story in scripture, the story of the prodigal son. We see one of the fathers sons take all that he has been given and use it to buy and experience many earthly joys. Once he has spent all that he had, he realizes what he has done and the great sins he has committed. Trusting in his father’s love and forgiveness, he return to a father who is overjoyed to have his son back. Our Father in heaven has this same compassion and love for us every time we return and seek forgiveness for our sins. It brings Him great joy when we recognize our sins, turn from our sinful ways, and return to Him to seek forgiveness. God pardons our sins and “casts them into the depths of the sea” and deals with us with love instead of according to our sins.
Reflection for younger saints: Today we read a story about a father who loved his son so much that he forgave him for all his sins and welcomed him back home. God loves us just as much as that father loved his son. No matter what mistakes we make God loves us and will forgive us.
Big Picture: God is a loving and forgiving Father
Discussion Starters:
Younger saints: Are there any sins God doesn’t forgive? (As long as we recognize our sins and seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God will always forgive us and love us.) What must we do to receive God’s forgiveness? (Examine our conscience and come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)
Older saints: Today we are reminded of the love and forgiveness of our Father in heaven. What is the first step we must take to receive His forgiveness? (We must examine our conscience and recognize the sins in our life.) Then what must we do? (Seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.) Can we obtain forgiveness on our own and without the Sacrament of Reconciliation? (No. The priest we make our confession to takes the place of Jesus in hearing our confession. We must speak our sins aloud to that priest, who is acting for Christ, in order to receive forgiveness for our sins.) Are there any sins that are “too bad” for God to forgive? (No, as long as we come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation with humble and contrite hearts, our sins will be forgiven.) When was the last time you received the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Fun Fact: There are two types of sin which we can commit: venial sin and mortal sin. Do you know the difference?
Saint of the day:
Name: Saint Agnes of Bohemia
What they are remembered for: St. Agnes of Bohemia was a daughter of noble blood, but after declining three proposals of marriage she chose to be wed to our Lord through entering into the religious life. She built a hospital for the poor, a house for friars, and financed the building of a monastery that she later was chosen as abbess of. Our of her humble nature she did not desire this leadership role, but took it on and continued a position of service to the members of the monastery through cooking and other service.
Feast day: March 2
Daily Notes:
MI 7:14-15, 18-20; PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; LK 15:1-3, 11-32
Reflection: Today we read a well-known story in scripture, the story of the prodigal son. We see one of the fathers sons take all that he has been given and use it to buy and experience many earthly joys. Once he has spent all that he had, he realizes what he has done and the great sins he has committed. Trusting in his father’s love and forgiveness, he return to a father who is overjoyed to have his son back. Our Father in heaven has this same compassion and love for us every time we return and seek forgiveness for our sins. It brings Him great joy when we recognize our sins, turn from our sinful ways, and return to Him to seek forgiveness. God pardons our sins and “casts them into the depths of the sea” and deals with us with love instead of according to our sins.
Reflection for younger saints: Today we read a story about a father who loved his son so much that he forgave him for all his sins and welcomed him back home. God loves us just as much as that father loved his son. No matter what mistakes we make God loves us and will forgive us.
Big Picture: God is a loving and forgiving Father
Discussion Starters:
Younger saints: Are there any sins God doesn’t forgive? (As long as we recognize our sins and seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God will always forgive us and love us.) What must we do to receive God’s forgiveness? (Examine our conscience and come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)
Older saints: Today we are reminded of the love and forgiveness of our Father in heaven. What is the first step we must take to receive His forgiveness? (We must examine our conscience and recognize the sins in our life.) Then what must we do? (Seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.) Can we obtain forgiveness on our own and without the Sacrament of Reconciliation? (No. The priest we make our confession to takes the place of Jesus in hearing our confession. We must speak our sins aloud to that priest, who is acting for Christ, in order to receive forgiveness for our sins.) Are there any sins that are “too bad” for God to forgive? (No, as long as we come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation with humble and contrite hearts, our sins will be forgiven.) When was the last time you received the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Fun Fact: There are two types of sin which we can commit: venial sin and mortal sin. Do you know the difference?
Saint of the day:
Name: Saint Agnes of Bohemia
What they are remembered for: St. Agnes of Bohemia was a daughter of noble blood, but after declining three proposals of marriage she chose to be wed to our Lord through entering into the religious life. She built a hospital for the poor, a house for friars, and financed the building of a monastery that she later was chosen as abbess of. Our of her humble nature she did not desire this leadership role, but took it on and continued a position of service to the members of the monastery through cooking and other service.
Feast day: March 2
Daily Notes:
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