Let nothing disturb you
“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are changing. God alone is changeless. Patience attains the good. One who has God lacks nothing. God alone fills all our needs.” — St Teresa of Avila
Hector
Learning to forgive
Every week we may experience actions from others that may offend or hurt us. This could be as simple as another person lying or saying something condescending. Often we are ready to forgive them after a few hours or a day, but there are times when the actions against us
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Gospel reflection: The Transfiguration
The transfiguration is one of my favorite scenes of the Gospels. In fact, I meditate on it and on Jesus’ manifested glory every week as a means to help me become closer to God and increase the virtue of Hope. As soon as Jesus asked Peter, John, and James to
Act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we
Act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to You I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying You. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to You, and to do
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Gospel reflection: The Parable of the Talents
By their nature it is difficult to know exactly what Jesus meant through His parables. He used their local scenery, culture, and every day acts to explain deep theological concepts in ways that uneducated people of His time could understand. This makes it somewhat difficult for us in the 21st
Finding refuge in God
There are times in our lives when we feel attacked and persecuted. When people turn against us for no good reason. Perhaps out of jealousy, misunderstanding, the need for power and control, or many other reasons. We may feel victims of injustice. The situation may not make sense. Why are
A prayer for Lent
A prayer for Lent from Catholic Fire “Heavenly Father, as I begin this journey into the desert with You, send Your Holy Spirit to enlighten me and to give me wisdom as to what it is You desire to change within me. Help me turn away from sin and come
7 things we should know about Lent
With Ash Wednesday we begin the beautiful and important liturgical season of Lent. Even though Advent is such a happy season, full of light and joy, I actually prefer Lent. Perhaps because there are so many other distractions during Advent with parties, Christmas cards, gifts, special meals, etc. I like
Praying the Jesus Prayer
St Paul asked us to pray without ceasing, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thessalonians 5, 16-18). We have hundreds of prayers at our disposal to help us pray without ceasing, but the Jesus
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Bible study: Jesus heals a leper
From Mark 1:40-45 40 A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” 42 Immediately
Praying the Angelus
Do you pray the Angelus? I have a small print of this same painting at my desk, honoring the time when people would actually stop their work and pray when they heard the Angelus bells playing from a distant church at 6:00 AM, noon, and 6:00 PM. I