How to Stay Strong Spiritually During Lent
Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Thursday, February 25, 2010
Q: Every year I start out Lent with great ambition and hope for spiritual growth, but somewhere along the way I lose interest and let myself slide. I really want to avoid the slide this year ... any suggestions to help me stay strong?
A: Sure! The key thing to think about is why you tend to slide. If you can identify the cause, then you can easily find the solution. In general, three things tend... READ MORE
Rejoice Always
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Tuesday, January 05, 2010
I was a little stunned when I hopped over here a few days ago and caught Rachel’s post about one-word resolutions for the new year, because before I’d already independently decided on one word that is my resolution for 2010.
Joy.
Our pastor once mentioned in a homily that the shortest verse in the original Greek New Testament is not John 10:35’s “Jesus wept” but 1 Thessalonians 5:16: “Rejoice always.”... READ MORE
A Thankful Heart
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Yesterday, as part of a writing project, I was looking at the Mass readings for Thanksgiving Day. One of the readings is so perfect, even for these weeks approaching Thanksgiving, I wanted to share it. May it spark in us a spirit of peace and gratitude as we enter the upcoming season.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
—Colossians 3:12-17
How to Save Your Life
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, September 13, 2009
And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
—Mark 8:34-35
Lord, teach us how to suffer with You. Give us strength to follow You.
Spend Some Time With Christ
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, September 06, 2009
Here’s a great resource for busy moms online:
President of Circle Media and best-selling author Fr. John Bartunek is offering parts of his popular book The Better Part in an ongoing series of posts at Catholic Spiritual Direction.
The most recent entry ends with a prayer that reads, in part:
Jesus, I am your disciple, but I am a weak and needy one. In my weakness, your strength can shine through.... READ MORE
'Be Opened'
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, September 06, 2009
And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Eph’phatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
—Mark 7:32-35
Open ours ears too Lord. Help us hear Your voice.
'Evil Things Come From Within'
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, August 30, 2009
And he called the people to him again, and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him.” For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.”
—Mark 7:14-23
Lord, protect us from all evil.
'I am the Bread of Life'
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, August 09, 2009
I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.
—John 6:51
Lord, help us to recognize the great gift we have in the Eucharist and bring us ever closer to You through the sacraments.
No More Guilt!
Posted by Tom and April Hoopes in Editor's Note on Thursday, July 09, 2009
April: Years ago, I was in an unfortunate car accident. Thank God no one was hurt, but my car sure was — and all the kids (three at the time) were in the back seat.
A week later, Tom and I went to confession on Saturday afternoon.
“Why are you going to confession?” asked my then 4-year-old. “Oh yeah,” she said. “You hit that car!”
Well, no, I didn’t have to confess running into a car, since I didn’t... READ MORE
He Marveled at Their Unbelief
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Sunday, July 05, 2009
And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.
—Mark 6:4-6
Help our unbelief, Lord. Give us strong faith and willing hearts.
