Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/27/2009

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- Prov 1:7

Reflection: Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes. Each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: O Lord, the world tells us that our faith and our science are opposed. It tells us we must live either by our mind or by our heart. Teach me Your truth where mind and heart, science and faith are no longer opposed.

From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/26/2009

Live in a manner worthy of the Lord and please Him in all ways, bearing fruit in every good work.
- Col 1:10

Reflection: In a secularized world, to speak and act in the name of Jesus can bring opposition and even ridicule. It often means being out of step with the majority opinion. Yet if we look at the New Testament, we find encouragement for perseverance in this testing of our faith.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me never to measure my morality by the standards of an unbelieving world. Let the Gospel be the source of my beliefs and the goal of my actions.

From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/25/2009

My child, conduct your affairs with meekness, and you will be loved by those whom God accepts. - Sir 3:17

Reflection: The meek endure conflict and jealousy, rivalries that arise within families and among neighbors. They do not, however passively accept situations of injustice. They are anything but indifferent, but they do not respond to violence with violence, to hatred with hatred.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: O Lord, let me always fight injustice when I see it, but by being willing to die for justice, never to kill for it.

From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/24/2009

At once the father of the boy exclaimed, "I do believe; help what little faith I have."
- Mk 9:24

Reflection: We must be convinced of the necessity of having a living, authentic, and active faith. That is all the more true today, when we face so many difficulties. It is not enough to have a vague, weak, or uncertain faith.
- Pope John XXIII

Prayer: O Lord, I often feel like the man in the Gospels who asked You to help what little faith he had. Fill my heart with Your gift of faith, and let my faith be active and living.
From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/23/2009

If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let that person be anathema. Come, O Lord.

- 1 Cor 16:22

Reflection: It is He, it is only He Who can quench the deep and mysterious thirst of your spirits. Jesus, Jesus; He is the light and salvation of the world and of each of us.

- Pope Paul VI

Prayer: St. Polycarp was so in love with You, Lord Jesus, that nothing else was important to him, not even his life, for he died a Martyr. Grant me that same single-mindedness and that same courage.

From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/19/2009

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt, and cleanse me of my sin. For I acknowledge my offense.

- Ps 51:4-5

Reflection: Only those persons who recognize that they are sinners, in need of salvation because they cannot save themselves, only they can extend their hands to Jesus as to their Savior.

- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: O Lord, help me to admit that I need others in my life, that I cannot make it alone. And of all of those whom I need, I need You most, for You are my God and my all.

From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/17/2009

So now, O children, give heed to me and do not reject instruction and wisdom.

- Prov 8:32-33

Reflection: Mary is the clearest and surest sign that God always comes to us with His love. She sings with all her being that whatever we receive from God is grace.The Virgin is our true teacher in the journey of faith.

- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: O Lord, the seven founders of the Servites followed the example of Mary Your Mother in serving God's People. Help me to learn that same generosity and live it everyday of my life.

From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/10/2009

I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who abide in Me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from Me you can do nothing.
- Mk 4:24

Reflection: In a single word, be Saints! Holiness is the most powerful force that leads human hearts to Christ. Remember that verse of the Gospel about the vine and the branches. In the union of the branches with the one vine is the concrete source and the sure measure of one's apostolic activity.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer:You are the vine, O Lord, and we are the branches. Keep me united to You and nourish me with Your love so that I may bear abundant fruit.

From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/9/2009

With what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you, and more shall be given to you.
- Mk 4:24

Reflection: Love cannot stop at half measures, as you well know. Love must be ready to offer itself as far as the very ultimate in generosity.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: You taught, Lord Jesus, that the measure with which we measure will be measured back to us. Let the measure of my love be generous. May I never hold back when the cost is great.
From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/6/2009

Blessed are you when people reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you for My sake.
- Mt 5:11

Reflection: Suffering for the sake of love, truth, and justice is a sign of fidelity to the God of life and of hope. It is the blessedness of those who suffer for Christ, who fall to the ground like grains of wheat and are promised life and resurrection.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You proclaimed blessed those who suffer for the sake of justice. Let me never stand by the wayside when my brothers and sisters are suffering unjustly.
From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/4/2009

Even so let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
- Mt 5:16

Reflection: Allow the light and the healing presence of Christ to shine brightly through your lives. In that way, all those who come in contact with you will discover the loving kindness of God.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: Make my heart transparent, O God, so the light of Your love shines through me. May that light shatter the darkness of a world filled with fear and selfishness.
From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/3/2009

Better off poor, healthy, and fit than wealthy and afflicted in body. More precious than gold is health and well-being.
- Sir 30: 14-15

Reflection: Grace builds upon nature. The Gospel does not make inhuman demands on us. It enlightens, elevates, and perfects what is human through the power of God's grace.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: In Your Incarnation, Lord Jesus, You taught us that our humanity is not to be despised, but rather to be esteemed as a gift of Your love. Make me aware that what I eat, how I exercise, and other ways I care for my body are forms of appreciation for that gift.
From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer 02/2/2009

When the eight days of her purification were fulfilled, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
- Lk 2:22

Reflection: The origin, nature, destiny, and history of humanity are bound up in that Infant by the very fact of His birth among us. Without the knowledge of that history our human nature would remain an inpenetrable enigma.
- Pope Pius XII

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Simeon and Anna greeted You when You were brought into the Temple as an infant by Mary Your Mother and Joseph Your foster father. May I be anxious to recognize Your Presence in our midst.From: Minute Meditations from the Popes (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)