Kathryn Lopez
1.
It was for the love's sake that God in Christ came into the world and it is for love's sake that the Christ sends his Church into the world.
— FrSteveGrunow (@FrSteveGrunow) January 26, 2015
He used media (at the time, printed tracts and books) to evangelize when all of the other doors were shut, and to provide spiritual direction.
3. Are you drifting into danger?
4. From Cardinal Dolan: “Virtue and chastity frees us; immorality enslaves us.”
5. Our Sunday Visitor on “papal interview whiplash.”
6. From Saint John Chrysostom, in today’s Liturgy of the Hours, the prayer of the Church:
Though housed in a narrow prison, Paul dwelt in heaven. He accepted beatings and wounds more readily than others reach out for rewards. Sufferings he loved as much as prizes; indeed he regarded them as his prizes, and therefore called them a grace or gift. Reflect on what this means. To depart and be with Christ was certainly a reward, while remaining in the flesh meant struggle. Yet such was his longing for Christ that he wanted to defer his reward and remain amid the fight; those were his priorities.
Now, to be separated from the company of Christ meant struggle and pain for Paul; in fact, it was a greater affliction than any struggle or pain would be. On the other hand, to be with Christ was a matchless reward. Yet, for the sake of Christ, Paul chose the separation.
But, you may say: “Because of Christ, Paul found all this pleasant.” I cannot deny that, for he derived intense pleasure from what saddens us. I need not think only of perils and hardships. It was true even of the intense sorrow that made him cry out: Who is weak that I do not share the weakness? Who is scandalized that I am not consumed with indignation?
I urge you not simply to admire but also to imitate this splendid example of virtue, for, if we do, we can share his crown as well.
7. From Blessed John Henry Newman (from Meditations on Christian Doctrine, via Divine Intimacy (emphasis mine):
“You, O Lord, are “the way, the truth, and the life,” (Jn 14:6). Earth will never lead me to heaven. You alone are the way, you alone. My God, shall I for one moment doubt where my path lies? Shall I not at once take you for my portion? To whom should I go? You have the words of eternal life. You came down for the very purpose of doing that which no one here below could do for me. None but he who is in heaven can bring me to heaven. What strength have I to scale the high mountain? … Though I filled my station well, did good to my fellows, had a fair name or a wide reputation, though I did great deeds and was celebrated, though I had the praise of history, how would all this bring me to heaven? I choose you, then, for my one portion, because you live and do not die. I cast away all idols. I give myself to you.
I pray you to teach me, guide me, enable me, and receive me to you.
8. I’ve been known to join novenas already in progress, and so I will today:
Novena for Peace Day2: (Joyful Mysteries) That the grace of Christ will ease sufferings of the persecuted, we pray… pic.twitter.com/asAeHDcwn2
— Phoenix Diocese (@PhoenixDiocese) January 26, 2015
9. In his morning homily Pope Francis talks about women: the gift of faith comes to us through women, as Jesus came to us through Mary.
I am reminded of an important message that has been delivered and redelivered and might have to be again:
But the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling.
Speaking of being impregnated with the Gospel, Pope Francis also warned against timidity:
God has not given us a spirit of timidity. The spirit of timidity goes against the gift of faith: it does not let faith grow, advance, be great.
10. Just radical enough to try:
#SteubieChallenge: Give up texting for the rest of the day. If you need to talk to someone, do it in person, or give them a call.
— Steubenville (@go2steubenville) January 26, 2015
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