Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, November 30, 2009

My kingdom does not belong ot this world.
- John 18:36

Reflection: Jesus is King because He governs souls and provides for their eternal salvation. He is King because He leads into His eternal Kingdom all who believe and hope in Him and live in His love.
- St. Augustine

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as the King of the universe and ask You to exercise upon me all Your rights. Help me to offer You all my actions to obtain that all hearts may acknowledge Your Sacred Kingdom.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, November 27, 2009

Let us pray and implore our Lord to grant us His mercy and protection. - Tobit 8:4

Reflection: There is no holiness without the grace of God. And this grace can be obtained by our prayer.
- St. Pius X

Prayer: God of holiness, pour down upon me all the graces I need to be a true follower of Your Son Jesus. Help me to pray often for Your saving grace.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I am the living Bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this Bread will live forever. - John 6:51

Reflection: The Eucharist is the true Catholic standard for recognizing a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is in Holy Communion that we recognize one another.
- St. Peter Eymard

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant that I may have a surpassing love for the Blessed Eucharist. Help me to be closely united with everyone who receives You in Holy Communion.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, November 23, 2009

Take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day.
- Ephesians 6:13

Reflection: Let us then serve in Christ's army, following His blameless commands with all our might. The great cannot exist without the small, nor the small without the great. They blend together to their mutual advantage.
- St. Clement

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be a true member of Your spiritual army, which is Your Mystical Body. Let me treat everyone I meet as my associate in Christ and work for our mutual benefit.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, November 20, 2009

If you honor the holy day by not following your accustomed ways or doing your own business...you will find your joy in the Lord. - Isaiah 58:13-14

Reflection: Perfection does not consist in lacerating the body. Rather it consists in curbing our perverse self-will.
- St. Catherine of Siena

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to curb my wayward self-will. Instead of subjecting my body to my own whims, may I concentrate on doing Your Will in all things rather than my own.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, November 16, 2009

If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.
- Matthew 19:17

Reflection: The Ten Commandments are completed by the Evangelical Precepts of justice and love. Together these constitute the framework for individual and collective survival.
- Pope John XXIII

Prayer: Lord of eternal life, grant me the grace to follow Your Commandments and Evangelical Precepts of love and justice. Help me to base my earthly life on Your Law and thus enter into eternal life.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, November 12, 2009

Do not cast me off when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength fails. - Psalms 71:9

Reflection: Do not wait for old age to offer yourself to God. Offer Him the flower of your youth, which will be pleasing to Him and which He will accept with the greatest of love.
- St. Catherine of Siena

Prayer: God of all ages, grant that I may give myself to You at every age of life--youth, adulthood, and old age. Then in my old age continue to take care of me.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, November 10, 2009

You shall love the Lord your God...' This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:37-38

Reflection: If we love our neighbor, we automatically love God as well. For it is in the unity of this twofold love that God has constituted the fullness of the Law and the Prophets.
- St. Leo the Great

Prayer: Loving Father, help me to realize that love is the most powerful force in the world. Let me love You and my neighbor because of You.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, November 09, 2009

The temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
- 1 Corinthians 3:17

Reflection: When Christ came, He banished the devil from our hearts, in order to build in them a temple for Himself. Let us then do what we can with His help, so that our evil deeds will not deface that temple.
- St. Caesarius of Arles

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be a true temple of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Grant me the grace to keep this temple holy and pleasing to You all my days.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, November 05, 2009

Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar, and give to God what is due to God.
- Matthew 22:21

Reflection: There are no better citizens--whether in peace or in war--than Christians who are mindful of their duty. Such persons must be willing to suffer all things--even death--rather than abandon the cause of God or of the Church.
- Pope Leo XIII

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant me a love for my country and a desire to help it as a good citizen. At the same time let me remain a faithful member of Your Church and work for her benefit.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, November 04, 2009

My heart speaks to You; my face seeks You; Your face, O Lord, do I seek

- Psalms 27:8

Reflection: If a tiny spark of God's love already burns in you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out. In other words, avoid distractions as much as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.
- Saint Charles Borromeo

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to seek You and speak with You often. Let me strive to avoid outer distractions and concentrate on Your message and Your Will for me.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, November 02, 2009

The souls of the upright are in the hands of God.

- Wisdom 3:1

Reflection: What great power the holy souls in purgatory have over the heart of God! If we realized this fact and averted to all the graces that we can gain through their intercession, these souls would not be so forgotten.
- St. John Vianney

Prayer: God, our Creator and Redeemer, grant to the souls in purgatory the remission of their sins. And may their prayers also be of benefit to me and all my dear ones.

[From: Every Day Is A Gift (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)]