Tag: Devotional

  • THE BURNING LOVE AND STRONG DESIRE TO RECEIVE CHRIST

    Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE WITH greatest devotion and ardent love, with all affection and fervor of heart I wish to receive You, O Lord, as many saints and devout persons, most pleasing to You in their holiness of life and most fervent in devotion, desired You in Holy Communion. O my God, everlasting love,…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in his hour of trial, towards the sheep of his hand! The ruling passion is strong in death. He resigns himself to the enemy, but he interposes a word of power to set his disciples free. As to himself, like a sheep before her shearers he…

  • THOUGHTLESS ICONOCLASM

    Connect The TestamentsNumbers 29:1-40; 1 Corinthians 11:17-12:11; Psalm 24:1-10 When we learn something new about life and faith, it’s tempting to use our knowledge and freedom to tear down religious constructs and artifices—exposing truth in a way that’s not helpful or edifying. If we’re honest, pushing boundaries and living edgy and unfettered gives us a…

  • WE SHOULD SHOW OUR NEEDS TO CHRIST AND ASK HIS GRACE

    Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE O MOST kind, most loving Lord, Whom I now desire to receive with devotion, You know the weakness and the necessity which I suffer, in what great evils and vices I am involved, how often I am depressed, tempted, defiled, and troubled. To You I come for help, to You…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    “The kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray me as it did my Master, with a kiss. Whenever a man is about to stab religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Let me beware…

  • GREEN PASTURES: THEY REQUIRE ACTION

    Connect The TestamentsNumbers 28:1-31; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:16; Psalm 23 Love and complete reliance on God are interrelated concepts. When we discover what love really means, we want to praise God for it. When we learn to rely on God for all our needs, we see just how loving He is as He takes care of…

  • THE GRACE OF DEVOTION IS ACQUIRED THROUGH HUMILITY AND SELF-DENIAL

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST YOU must seek earnestly the grace of devotion, ask for it fervently, await it patiently and hopefully, receive it gratefully, guard it humbly, cooperate with it carefully and leave to God, when it comes, the length and manner of the heavenly visitation. When you feel little or no…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Did this fear arise from the infernal suggestion that he was utterly forsaken. There may be sterner trials than this, but surely it is one of the worst to be utterly forsaken? “See,” said Satan, “thou hast a friend nowhere! Thy Father hath shut up the bowels of his compassion against thee. Not an angel…

  • REASON: NOT THE ULTIMATE POWER

    Connect The TestamentsNumbers 27:1-23; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Psalm 22:14-31 Reason is a gift from God, but that doesn’t make it a substitute for seeking God’s will through prayer. Moses appears to have been an intelligent man. He figured out how to flee Egypt after killing an Egyptian, how to survive in the wilderness, and how…

  • THE ARDENT LONGING OF DEVOUT MEN FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST

    Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE HOW great is the abundance of Your kindness, O Lord, which You have hidden from those who fear You! When I think how some devout persons come to Your Sacrament with the greatest devotion and love, I am frequently ashamed and confused that I approach Your altar and the table…