Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, May 31, 2010

Mary remained with Elisabeth for about three months and then returned to her home.
- Luke 1:56

Reflection: The heart of our good mother Mary is all love and mercy. She desires nothing else but our happiness. We need only have recourse to her and we will be heard.
- St. John Vianney

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me constantly have recourse to Mary. May she lead me to the happiness of heavenly glory which You share with Your Son in the unity of the Holy Sprit.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Sunday, May 30, 2010

A man gave a sumptuous banquet, to which he sent out many invitations.
Luke 14:16

Reflection: I am afraid when Jesus passes by. For His passing by means salvation if we respond to it but is a reason for condemnation if we pay no attention to it. Every invitation on the part of Jesus can be termed a passing by of the Lord.
- St. Augustine

Prayer: Almighty Father, enlighten my eyes and open my heart to discern Your Son's "passing by." Let me respond promptly and wholeheartedly to His invitations addressed to me every day.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Spirit of Truth...dwells with you and will be in you.
- John 14:17

Reflection: The Holy Spirit does not remain inactive in us: He wipes away sins, purifies hearts, revivifies the tepid, and enlightens the ignorant. His inspirations suggest to us what we ought and what we ought not to do. There exists an infinite variety of His communications.
- St. Anthony of Padua

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the heart of Your servant and kindle in me the fire of Your love.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, May 28, 2010

No one can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, namely Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 3:11

Reflection: No matter how much we try, only through Jesus Christ shall we succeed in calling people back to the Majesty and Kingdom of God. "No one," the Apostle admonishes us, "can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, namely Jesus Christ."
- Pope Saint Pius X

Prayer: Lord Jesus, truly You are my God and my All. Let me ever cling to You as the true foundation of my life and work, successes and failures, joys and sorrows.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the Spirit of wisdom.
- Isaiah 11:2

Reflection: Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have a right concept of everything. Hence, many unlettered people enjoy such knowledge more than the wise.
- St. John Vianney

Prayer: Father of every good gift, send forth Your Spirit upon me with His sevenfold gifts. Grant that I may see everything with Your eyes and always act according to Your will.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, May 26, 2010

It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should both believe in Him and suffer for Him.
- Philippians 1:29

Reflection: The greatness of our God must be tested by the desire we have for suffering for His sake...Bear the cross and do not make the cross bear you!
- St. Philip Neri

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, let me be closely united with You in all things. Grant that I may carry my cross willingly--because of You and in union with You.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, May 25, 2010

You are in error, for you do not understand the Scriptures.
- Matthew 22:29

Reflection: The whole series of the Divine Scriptures is interpreted in a fourfold way. We should ascertain what everlasting truths are intimated therein, what deeds are narrated, what future events are foretold, and what commands or counsels are contained therein.

- St. Bede the Venerable

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me how to read Your wonderful words in Scripture with true understanding. Let me adhere always to the interpretation given by Your Holy Church.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, May 24, 2010

Mary...journeyed in haste into the hill country...where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
- Luke 1:39

Reflection: In the interior life and in the apostolate, let us always work with Mary. For then everything becomes easier and more certain, quicker and more delightful.
- St. Louis Grignion de Montfort

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to labor hard in the Christian apostolate. Teach me to work always with yYour holy Mother so that I may obtain the best fruits from this work.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, May 21, 2010

Abide in Me, as I abide in you.
- John 15:4

Reflection: See Christ our Lord in all human beings. In this way, you will be filled with respect and consideration for others.
- St. Theresa of Avila

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to see all human beings as potential person in whom You might dwell. And let me respect them because of You, my Lord and Redeemer.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, May 20, 2010

If a man is just and does what is right..., he has withdrawn his hand from evildoing.
- Ezekiel 18:5-8

Reflection: Justice can be understood in many and varied ways. Among other things, justice is the constancy of a good will.
- St. Bernardine of Siena

Prayer: God of all justice, infuse into me the true virtue of justice. Let me have a good will toward You and toward all human beings--rendering to each everything that is due each.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, May 18, 2010

You are the glory of Jerusalem, the surpassing pride of Israel, the great honor of our people.
- Judith 15:9

Reflection: Those who want to prevent their heart from being pervaded by the evils of earth should entrust it to the Blessed Virgin, our Lady and our Mother. They will then regain it in heaven, freed from all evils.
- St. Francis de Sales

Prayer: Lord Jesus, move me to entrust my heart and my affections to Your holy Mother. Grant that her prayers may keep me from all evil and firmly attached to You forever.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer from Monday, May 17, 2010

Let not...the rich man glory in his riches.
-Jeremiah 9:22

Reflection: Those who posses riches outwardly must take care not to possess them inwardly, that is, with desire. They must eliminate everything earthly from their desires.
- St. Catherine of Siena

Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep my heart from dwelling on earthly riches. Help me to seek the true, spiritual riches that You give us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Saturday, May 15, 2010

Jesus said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother."
- John 19:27

Reflection: The Blessed Virgin directs to us all the acts that every mother lavishes on her children. She loves us, watches over us, protects us, and intercedes for us.
- Pope John XXIII

Prayer: Lord Jesus, let me have constant recourse to Your holy Mother Mary. Grant that I may be devoted to her who loves me and takes care of me like a true Mother.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, May 14, 2010

They pursued justice not through faith but through works, and they stumbled.
- Romans 9:32

Reflection: To do works without faith is like erecting a magnificent building on a shaky foundation. The higher the building, the greater is the fall. Without the support of faith, good works cannot stand.
- St. Ambrose

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to avoid the error of doing works without having a living faith. Enable me always to combine both faith and works in my everyday life.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, May 13, 2010

Blessed be God...Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing on high.
- Ephesians 1:3

Reflection: Enrich your soul in the great goodness of God: The Father is your Table, the Son is your Food, and the Holy Spirit waits on you and then makes His dwelling in you.
- St. Catherine of Siena

Prayer: Triune God, help me to realize the ineffable blessings that You have made available to all Christians. Let me be ever more conscious of the actions of the Adorable Trinity in my life.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
- Luke 1:42

Reflection: Do you wish to know the most intimate perfections of Jesus and the most hidden attractions of His love? Then seek them in the heart of Mary!
- St. Peter Eymard

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep ever before me the tried and trusted Christian motto: "To Jesus through Mary." And let me learn to seek You in her Mother's heart!

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, May 10, 2010

When they have heard the word, they hold it fast with a good and upright heart and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
- Luke 8:15

Reflection: Engrave on your heart the words of the Lord that you hear. For the word of God is the food of the soul and should remain in our memory.
- Pope Saint Gregory the Great

Prayer: Loving Father, teach me to take Your holy word to heart as often as I come into contact with it. Enable me to be open to it, retain it, and reap the benefits it yields.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, May 07, 2010

They signaled to their companions..., to come and help them. They came and filled both boats.
- Luke 5:7

Reflection: The goup apostolate of Christians is very important. Often it calls for concerted effort either in ecclesiastical communities or in various other environments.
- Vatican II: Apostolate of the Laity, no. 18

Prayer: Creator of the universe, You want Christians to work together and with others to do Your work on earth. Help me to give myself freely to any undertakings that serve to build up the Body of Christ in this world.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, May 06, 2010

At once, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he spoke properly.
- Mark 7:35

Reflection: The knot in his tongue was untied and he spoke plainly. You too have the tongue untied and can use it when you wish. Why do you us it for evil rather than for good? You take care to choose among foods what you want to eat. You should be just as careful to choose what you want to say.
- St. Augustine

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to realize the wonderful way of communicating with others that You have given me--principally through the tongue.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, May 05, 2010

If only your recognized the gift of God and Who it is that is asking you.
- John 4:10

Reflection: Oh, if only the Eucharist were better understood by Christians and more worthily and frequently received. How copious would be the fruits of harmony, peace, and spiritual decorum that would flow therefrom for the Church and the whole world!
- Pope John XXIII

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to have a better appreciation of the Eucharist. Let me receive it with understanding, love and thanksgiving so that it may bear abundant fruits in me.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, May 04, 2010

For by me your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
- Proverbs 9:11

Reflection: You never think of Mary without Mary thinking of God on your behalf. Neither do you ever praise and honor God without Mary praising and honoring God in union with you.
- St. Louis Grignion de Montfort

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Mary as my intercessor. Enable me to collaborate with her in praising You and in saving souls.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, May 03, 2010

Forgetting what is behind, I press forward to what is ahead. My whole attention is on the...prize to which God calls me.
- Philippians 3:13:14

Reflection: It is right that you should begin again every day. There is no better way to complete the spiritual life than to be ever beginning it over again.
- St. Francis de Sales

Prayer: Lord Jesus, make me realize that evrery day is a new opportunity for grace. Help me make the most of all my opportunities--to begin anew each day.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Saturday, May 01, 2010

You shall set apart three cities...[where a man] may take refuge to save his life when [he] inadvertently kills his neighbor.
- Deuteronomy 19:2-4

Reflection: Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner.
- Saint Anthony of Padua

Prayer: Lord Jesus, move me to take refuge in Your holy Mother if I am so unfortunate as to lose Your grace. Help me to flee to my city of refuge, for she will lead me to You.

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