Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, August 23, 2010

In Christ we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of His grace that He lavished on us.
- Ephesians 1:7

Reflection: If only we would learn how great it is to possess divine grace and how many riches it has within itself, how many joys and delights. We would devote all our concern to winning for ourselves pains and afflictions in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace.
- St. Rose of Lima

Prayer: God of all goodness, keep ever in my mind the surpassing riches of Your grace. Grant that I may devote all my efforts to cooperating with that grace and growing in it day by day.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, August 20, 2010

Keep hold of...a good conscience. Some people have let that go and have had their faith ruined.
- 1 Timothy 1:19

Reflection: A good conscience is a treasury of riches. Indeed, what greater riches can there be--or what can be sweeter---than a good conscience?
- St. Bernard

Prayer: All-knowing God, let me be able to stand in Your presence with a good conscience. Help me to avoid anything that would sully my conscience and do all I can to remain united with You.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Thursday, August 19, 2010

You are my children, for whom I am enduring a mother's pain again, until Christ is formed in you.
- Galatians 4:19

Reflection: There is only one reason for us to be living on earth. We are to bear, manifest, sanctify, glorify, and cause to live an reign in us the name, life, qualities and perfections, dispositions, and inclinations, and virtues and actions of Jesus.
- St. John Eudes

Prayer: Heavenly Father, impress upon my mind and heart that I must be conformed to Your Son in all things. Let me imitate Him so completely that I may truly be "another Christ."

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Well done, good and faithful servant....Come and share your master's joy.
- Matthew 25:21

Reflection: In God's house we must try to accept whatever job He gives us: cook, kitchen boy, waiter, stable boy or baker. For we know that our reward depends not on the job itself but on the faithfulness with which we serve God.
- Pope John Paul I

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to accept the task You have given me to do in life. Let me be faithful to it all my days and be able to attain your eternal reward in heaven.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Tuesday, August 17, 2010

This is My Blood of the Covenant, which will be shed in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
- Matthew 26:28

Reflection: The Eucharist may be termed a perpetual Calvary. Without it how many times God's wrath would have erupted on our heads!
- St. Peter Eymard

Prayer: Heavenly Father, make me realize that the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's action that freed me of my sins. Help me to participate devoutly in every Eucharist and obtain the grace to avoid sin.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Monday, August 16, 2010

If you show favoritism, you are committing a sin and stand convicted before the Law.
- James 2:9

Reflection: Do not show favor only to relations and kin, or to the most eminent--whether they are leaders or the wealthy or neighbors or citizens of the same country. Show favor to all who come to you. By fulfilling your duty in this way, you will reach the highest state of happiness.
- St. Stephen of Hungary

Prayer: Just Father, help me to overcome all tendencies to show favoritism in my life. Let me treat all persons as brothers and sisters in Christ and work and pray for their salvation.

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

Scripture, Reflection and Prayer for Friday, August 13, 2010

[God] has given us a new birth...into an imperishable, unsullied and unfading inheritance, kept in heaven for you.
- 1 Peter 1:3-4

Reflection: You have within you everything that you need to purchase the Kingdom of Heaven. Joy will be purchased by your sorrow, rest by you labor, glory by you humiliation, and eternal life by your passing death.
- St. Augustine

Prayer: Loving Father, teach me how to make every event on earth lay up treasures for me in heaven. Help me to endure sorrows, labors, humiliations, and death willingly so as to attain heaven.

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