Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, April 30, 2010

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.
- John 20:29

Reflection: This Gospel text certainly applies to us--but only if we confirm our faith by our works. Those truly believe who carry out in practice what they believe.
- Pope St. Gregory the Great

Prayer: Jesus, my Lord and my God, help me to believe in You with all my might. And let me translate that belief into practivce by obeying Your commands every day.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, April 29, 2010

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- John 14:6

Reflection: Many want to go ahead of Christ not after Him--by laying out a way to their own specifications. They seek to serve God and obtain virtue without effort. But they deceive themselves, for Christ is "the way."
- St. Catherine of Siena

Prayer: Lord Jesus, guard me from the desire to take the easy way. Grant that I may faithfully and diligently follow the way You have traced out to the Father for us.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know Me?
- John 14:9

Reflection: Jesus Christ is very little known by those who claim to be His friends. We observe them seeking in Him not His sorrows but their own consolation.
- St. John of the Cross

Prayer: Lord Jesus, let me know myself and let me know You. Grant me the grace to follow You in Your sorrows--accepting all the sorrows of my life for Your sake.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Through [Jesus] let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His Name.
- Hebrews 13:15

Reflection: The hour has sounded for joyful chants: Alleluia. Let us praise God with our life, with our voice, with our heart, and with our deeds.
- St. Augustine

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to give You constant praise in my heart. At the same time, let this attitude bear fruit in my life--producing truly Christian deeds.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, April 26, 2010

Comfort one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Reflection: If on any particular day we do nothing more than give a little joy to a neighbor, that day will not be wasted. For we have succeeded in giving comfort to an immortal soul.
- Blessed Contardo Ferrini

Prayer: God of all consolation, teach me put put all my trust in You. Let me then go out and offer my neighbor Christian consolation in every tribulation.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, April 23, 2010

The eyes of the Lord are upon the just and His ears are open to their prayers.
- 1 Peter 3:12

Reflection: A just life constitutes a song for the ears of our heavenly Father. It is as pleasing to Him as the most beautiful prayer.
- St. Cyprian

Prayer: Heavenly Father grant me the grace to live justly in all my activities. Let my life be ever pleasing to You on earth and obtain eternal life for me in heaven.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, April 22, 2010

Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit life everlasting.
- Matthew 19:29

Reflection: To other human beings, grace has been given with measure. But to Mary, it has been poured out beyond measure!
- St. Sophronius

Prayer: O Mary, you are full of grace, possessing more than all the Angels and Saints combined. I bow down in awe at the breadth of your holiness, and I ask you to pray to the all-holy God for me.

From: Mary Day By Day (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)