Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Lavishly the just give to the poor. Their generosity shall endure forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
- Psalms 112:9/

Reflection: It is not enough for us to reach out and help those in need. We must help them to discover the values that enable them to build a new life and to take their rightful place in society with dignity and justice.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: O Lord, may I not be satisfied with handing the poor a fish when I can teach them how to fish. Let me not only fill their stomachs with food but also take the time and energy to fill their spirits with dignity.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Colossians 3:17

Reflection: Above all it is my conviction that all work is a fundamental dimension of human existence on the earth. This is true of all work--from the simplest to the most difficult, from the less paying to the most rewarding.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: Lord Jesus, let my work be productive and meaningful, and my attitude toward work be positive and generous. May I always remember that in my work I am working with You to create the world in Your image.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, March 29, 2010

Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for that which endures unto life everlasting, which the Son of Man will give you.
- John 6:27

Reflection: The Eucharist is in no way alien to the building of a new world. Rather, it is the principle and source of inspiration. For the Lord Jesus is the foundation of a new humanity that is reconciled and fraternal.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: May the Sacrament of Your Body and Blood, O Lord, teach me to be bread that is broken to feed the hunger of a starving world and wine that is outpoured to satisfy the thirst of a world dying of spiritual thirst.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, March 26, 2010

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:4

Reflection: Do not seek to be numbered among the learned and clever whose numbers seem destined by the combination of circumstances to increase. Be truly poor, meek, eager for holiness, merciful, pure of heart. Be among those who bring to the world the peace of God.
- Pope Paul VI

Prayer: Teach me Your ways, Lord Jesus, for You were meek as a lamb in Your suffering, and yet You transformed the world. Teach me the true wisdom of Your Kingdom.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, March 25, 2010

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And we saw His glory...as the only-begotten of the Father.
- John 1:14

Reflection: The Divine is united to the human. The invisible has become visible. The infinite has assumed a human form. Humanity has been accepte3d into the unity of the Divine Person of the Word.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as Your dear Mother Mary gave her "fiat" when she responded, "Let it be done to me according to Your word" (Luke 1:38), so too may I learn to cooperate with God's will.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Over this [salvation] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you are sorrowful by various trials.
- 1 Peter 1:6

Reflection: The Spirit creates joy, and joy is effusive. This, too, is a testimony that you can and must offer to people of our time, so often made cold and unhappy by selfishness.
- Pope Paul VI

Prayer: O Lord, fill my heart with joy both so that I may experience true Gospelljoy and so that I may share that joy with those who have forgotten the true meaning of joy.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Each of you must give according as you have decided in your heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7

Reflection: Because all are entrusted with the vast area of charity and material assistance, I invite you to give generously. Give for the maintenance and support of seminarians, for the formation of the laity, in particular of catechists, for the construction of churches, schools, hospitals, and social work.
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer: O Lord, grant that I may remember that what I have received from Your Providence, I have received in trust. Teach me to use these gifts with great generosity.

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