The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature."
- CCC No. 460
Reflection: At the center of the New Age Movement is the proclamation that "I am God, and you are too." Like all heresies, it asks the right question, but gets the wrong answer. Can humans be divine? Yes, but only by participation in the divinity of Christ.
Prayer: Jesus, you have glorified human nature by your incarnation. Make us one with you in truth.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
From this loving knowledge of Christ springs the desire to proclaim him, to "evangelize," and to lead others to the "yes" of faith in Jesus Christ. But at the same time the need to know this faith better makes itself felt.
- CCC No. 429
Reflection: Telling others about Christ is a great blessing, but it is also a tremendous responsibility. When sharing our faith, we must all distinguish between our own conclusions drawn in isolation and true Christian doctrine.
Prayer: Father of the Word Incarnate, make us able and effective evangelizers that all may come to know you.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
The victory that Christ won over sin has given us greater blessings than those which sin had taken from us: "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more."
- CCC No. 420
Reflection: Christians often proclaim that God brings good out of evil, but it might be more accurate to say that God brings "better" out of evil.
Prayer: Father, in your mighty plan you have thought of everything, making all things tend toward our benefit. Let this knowledge of your love for us increase our faith in you.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
The first man was not only created good, but was also established in friendship with his Creator and in harmony with himself and with the creation around him, in a state that would be surpassed only by the glory of the new creation in Christ.
- CCC No. 374
Reflection: There are three relationships mentioned here: man with God, with self, and with others. In paradise, all three were in perfect harmony. Our Christian life calls us to restore that harmony.
Prayer: Father, help us to live a life of piety, honesty, and justice, that we may know true peace.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Being in the image of God, the human individual posseses the dignityh of a person, who is not just something, but someone.
- CCC No. 357
Reflection: The only beings in the known universe who share the title of "person" are humans, angels, and the three divine persons of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are in good company.
Prayer: Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, help us to fully live our personhood, which we share with you.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Man is the summit of the Creator's work, as the inspired account expresses by clearly distinguishing the creation of man from that of the other creatures.
- CCC No. 343
Reflection: We often hear it said of humans that "we are just another animal," though everything from art to airplanes seems to prove otherwise. As children of God we must cherish our privileged status and gravely own up to the responsibility that goes with it.
Prayer: Father in heaven, as your children, may we always be mindful of the dignity that is ours.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
In time we can discover that God in his almighty providence can bring a good from the consequences of an evil...But for all that, evil never becomes a good.
- CCC No. 312
Reflection: Even though we know that God can bring good out of the most difficult circumstances of our lives, we must never trivialize our trials or those of others. The scourge of evil was not God's original intention for the universe.
Prayer: Jesus, you sweat blood meditating on the evil of the world; help us to understand the true consequences of our actions.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
