Christy Gabriel's Blog – February 2013 Archive (22)

“While we live we are constantly being delivered to death for Jesus’ sake.” 2Cor.4:10

Reflection:

   We are not like Christ if we do not share in His sufferings. His Passion must become my passion.

   This is how I show forth His life within me.

Prayer:

   “Savior of the world, be my guide in all my ways. Help me, so that at difficult times I may remain faithful to You. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN!!!”

YBU all !!!

“You will live in My love if you keep My commandments.” Jn.15:10

Reflection:

   God desires obedient children who show their love through the faithful fulfillment of their duties.

   Love is not only an emotion but an action, a living action. Is this true of my love?

Prayer:

   “Merciful Father, save me from indifference and mere external worship. Let me always try to follow in the way of Your commandments with ever…

“For when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.” 2Cor.12:10

Reflection:

   Of themselves, human beings are nothing, but with God’s grace, they are everything.

   God bestows His grace upon all who acknowledge their own weakness and pray with humility and confidence.

Prayer:

   “Eternal God, let me recognize the riches of Your grace. May I be forever grateful to You and worthy to receive additional grace to deepen my spiritual…

“Come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little.” Mk.6:31

Reflection:

   Our inner life needs the best; it needs solitude. Indeed, the soul needs times of silence that it may not be overcome by dissipation. In this way it can be recollected in God and be prepared for all the tasks and struggles that lie ahead.

   During this time of meditation we communicate with God and learn what He expects of us. Do I regularly seek this…

“For here we have no lasting city; we are seeking one which is to come.” Heb.13:14

Reflection:

   Faith in eternity does not seek to escape from the world, but rather to conquer it. Let’s not proclaim ourselves as incompetent but as sacred. Let’s attend to our daily tasks with courage and joy, always carrying our eternal goal in our hearts so that we may not be lacking in perseverance.

   This should be our daily task. Do I measure up to…

“And the world with its seductions is passing away, but the man who does God’s will endures forever.” 1Jn.2:17

Reflection:

   I am also part of the world, subject to its temporal law. But God’s love has called me to eternity. I live, to be renewed; I die, to live forever.

   It depends upon my faithful fulfillment of God’s will whether my life  will be one of everlasting joy. Am I faithfully fulfilling His will?

Prayer:

   “Heavenly…

“Everyone who grows angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.” Mt.5:22

Reflection:

   A wicked thought destroys the foundation of human society and uproots mutual trust and love.

   Hence, Christ demands a perfect and fraternal kindness that will not tolerate even a bad thought about one’s neighbor, for external courtesy and politeness are not enough. What is my attitude toward my neighbor?

Prayer:

   “God of love, grant…

“You are not of the world.” Mt.5:14

Reflection:

   How can I in my surroundings be a light that will illuminate the dark lowliness of daily life; a light that warms, enlightens and vivifies?

   I can do so only if I myself am in the luminous circle of God. Christ must enlighten me. Then I will be able to radiate His light widely and effectively to others.

Prayer:

   “My Lord and my God, You are my light and my strength. Grant that…

“Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.” Ps.131:2

Reflection:

   Ambition and selfishness make us demanding, uneasy, and unhappy. The more I try to correspond to everything that God gives me and to renounce those things that He denies me, the more peacefully and happily I shall rest in Him.

   I shall try to trust in God like a contented child lying in its mother’s arms.

Prayer:

   “Lord, grant me a…

“Take heed, therefore, how you hear.” Lk.8:18

Reflection:

   God speaks to me in many different ways: through the Scriptures, through the circumstances of my life, with its joys and sufferings, and through the people I meet.

   Do I always listen to and obey His voice? What a terrible thing it would be if God did not speak to me anymore because I do not listen to Him!

Prayer:

   “Speak to me, my Lord; Your servant is listening. In…

“Be imitator of God as His dear children, follow the way of love.” Eph.5:1-2

Reflection:

   The life of Christ was full of love, sacrifice and self-denial up to His Death. I am called to follow His example of love.

   This means not to live for myself but for Him, Who loved me first, and for those in whom He wants to be loved.

Prayer:

   “My Lord and my Savior, because You loved me You gave up everything for me. Grant me the grace to…

“Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” Rom.12:21

Reflection:

   Evil has a creative force. If I pay back evil with evil, I do not conquer it, but rather I am conquered by it and become its ally.

   If, instead, I oppose good to evil, I destroy the roots of evil in me with the help of God’s grace, and I do much good. Why don’t I always act thus?

Prayer:

   “Lord, victory is always on Your side. Strengthen me that I…

“I myself am the Bread of life. No one who comes to Me shall ever be hungry.” Jn.6:35

Reflection:

  Bread gives life and energy; but it must be eaten. Therefore, our Savior, as Bread for the soul, wishes to be received and eaten with the right disposition of sorrow for sin, humility, and thankfulness for His great gift to us.

   Worship and admiration are not enough to save the soul from death of starvation. Why don’t I approach the Sacred banquet more…

“With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.” Jer.31:3

Reflection:

   God is essentially love. Therefore, everything He commands me to do is because He loves me whether it brings me joy or pain.

   I must never forget this, especially in times of difficulty and trial.

Prayer:

   “Beloved Father, grant me the assurance of Your love. Then even at the hour of my Gethsemani I shall never cease to have peace in…

“Do not conform yourselves to this age.” Rom.12:2

Reflection:

   My goal is to become more and more like God. This requires a change of my inner self. I now need that renewal of mind and heart which will free me from the spirit of the world and make me adhere to Christ, through the working of the Holy Spirit.

   I must examine myself to see where I stand in this and pray for grace to change what needs to be changed.

Prayer:

  …

“Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, is brother and sister and mother to me.” Mt.12:50

Reflection:

   When God’s will speaks everything else must remain silent. Even the greatest creature must humble himself. Above the ties of blood there exists the community of those who have done the will of God.

   Christ belongs to them and they belong to Him, in the same way as brothers and sisters and mother belong one to the…

“Each one of you is a son of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal.3:26

Reflection:

   As children of God, we must give ourselves in love, one to another. We must help each other in our troubles, as is proper for brothers and sisters.

   Do I think of all human beings as my brothers and sisters, and that I have duties and responsibilities toward them?

Prayer:

   “Jesus, my Brother, grant that I may love…

“For God has shone in our hearts, that we in turn might make known the glory of God.” 2Cor.4:6

Reflection:

   My mission in the world is to be a light in the darkness and a guide to others in their journey through life.

   Therefore I must strive, with God’s help, to receive His grace and so to bring Him to all persons who are in need of Him.

Prayer:

   “Good Shepherd, grant that I may always be Your helper. Let me serve You with absolute faithfulness. In…

“Venerate the Lord, that is, Christ, in your hearts.” 1Pt.3:15

Reflection:

   If I believe in God’s presence within me I will not permit anything profane or unworthy of Him in me. I will avoid everything that is not in accordance with His will because He is all-Holy.

   My only fear must be to displease Him, and my only concern to give all worship and honor to Him Who is my Lord.

Prayer:

  “Holy Spirit, come and fill me with Your…

“All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Rom.8:14

Reflection:

   Are my actions motivated by worldly gratifications and advantages, or by God’s will?

   My whole life should breathe Divine things, because being a child of God is at the same time both a gift and a duty.

Prayer:

   “Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Spirit. Grant that I may be Your obedient instrument at every moment of my life. In the name of…