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TODAY’S WORD…

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Someone asked Jesus,

“Lord, will only a few be saved?”

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He replied,

“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom,

for many will try to enter but will fail.”

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– Luke 13:23-24 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

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Everyone is called to form part of the Kingdom of God,

for He “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4).

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But only those who make a serious effort can reach the goal of salvation.

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QUOTE…

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“A Christian’s struggle must be unceasing,

for interior life consists in beginning and beginning again.

This prevents us from proudly thinking that we are perfect already.

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It is inevitable that we should meet difficulties on our way.

If we did not come up against obstacles,

we would not be creatures of flesh and blood.

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We will always have passions that pull us downwards;

we will always have to defend ourselves against…self-defeating urges”

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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PRAYER…

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Holy Spirit,

make me faithful to Your Word

and give me self-control.

Help me defend myself

against self-defeating urges and passions;

help me obey Your commands.

Holy Spirit,

make me faithful to Your Word

and give me self-control.

Help me discard my self-centered attitude

and my selfishness

which can combine to ultimately deprive me

from passing through that glorious door

which leads into the loving arms of my Maker.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Holy Spirit, make me faithful and give me self-control.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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By [the] power of the Spirit, God’s children can bear much fruit.

He who has grafted us onto the true vine

will make us bear “the fruit of the Spirit: …love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5:22-23)

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“We live by the Spirit”;

the more we renounce ourselves, the more we “walk by the Spirit.” (Gal 5:25)

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Through the Holy Spirit

we are restored to paradise,

led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children,

given confidence to call God “Father”

and to share in Christ’s grace, called children of light

and given a share in eternal glory. [St. Basil]

[CCC 736]

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