“Being hopeful, and knowing that ‘every rejection’ is a step closer to true success!”

(Based on Lev 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37 and Mt 13:54-58 – Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A young salesman became discouraged because he had been rejected by many of the customers that he approached.

He asked a more experienced salesman for some advice.
“Why is it that every time I make a call on someone I get rejected?”

“I just don’t understand that,” answered the older salesman…
… “I’ve been hit on the head, called dirty names, and thrown out the door, but I’ve never been rejected!

Remember, my son: Rejection isn’t what happens to us…
… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

How do we interpret the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life?

Do we get depressed and discouraged…
… or can we still be hopeful and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!?”

Rejection and pain, are sure companions in the life of a Christian, who is uncompromising and unwavering in one’s faith.

Despite these aspects, are we ready to do the Will of God, and be His Faithful Followers?

Our Blessed Lord Himself underwent rejection and pain in life.

Yet He remained firm to do the Will of God!
By His Incarnation, Jesus took upon Himself, to be in solidarity with every aspect of human life…
… including rejection and pain.

The Gospel of the Day narrates this painful incident of “rejection and pain” that our Blessed Lord encountered in His life, at the hands of His own country people (Mt 13: 54-58)

It is interesting to note, how the people of the hometown seek to justify their rejection of Jesus, by rationalizing their attitude…

Using 6 questions (6= A Biblical symbolic number which often stands for imperfection!)…
… the people of the hometown, reveal their blocked minds and closed hearts.

When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…
… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!

And so the Lord declares: “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country or his own house!” (Mt 13: 57)

Thus, Jesus becomes the “Sign of Contradiction!”
… the Prince of Peace, begins to be seen as a cause of division and despise
… the Healer of Souls, begins to be seen as a cause of disagreement and discord!
… the Comforter of Hearts, begins to be seen as a cause of disturbance and distress

Anyone who seeks to follow Jesus – the “Sign of Contradiction” – the Epitome of Truth and Honesty…
… is sure to face the same experience!

Every true Christian, because of one’s convictions in the Eternal Values of Uncompromising Truth and Desire to do the Will of God, is sure to face…
… rejection from the people, because one’s ways challenge the lethargic lifestyle of others!
… pain from the society, because one’s way of living poses a threat the corruption around!

Life often hurls the “bricks of rejection” at us…

We can either be hurt by them…
… or be strengthened and buckle ourselves up with greater courage

We can either blame all those situations and curse life…
… or we can be thankful for those moments, which provides us a chance for “more blessings!”

Yes, we need to remember always: Rejection isn’t what happens to us…
… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

Let us not get depressed and discouraged by the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life…
… instead let us be hopeful, and know that “every rejection is a step closer to true success!”

Today we celebrate the Feast of a Great Saintly Doctor of the Church – St Alphonsus Liguori, the Patron Saint of Theologians…
… the Founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists)

Let us give heed to his words:

“The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him!”
“He who desires nothing but God is rich and happy!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy.
Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death…

… as well as to the parents and the whole of society. (CCC # 2272)

“Seeking to live as ‘convinced Christians!'”

(Based on Exod 40:16-21, 34-38 and Mt 13:47-53 – Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

One morning, the husband was at breakfast table…
… his face hidden behind the morning paper.

The frightened maid tiptoed into the room and whispered something to the wife’s ears.

The wife – paled slightly – then squared her shoulders resolutely and said to her husband:
“Dear, for the last seventeen years, you have been eating oats porridge in the morning.

You will be very upset, isn’t it, if you don’t get it this morning?”

Expecting the worst reaction, the wife began to turn away.

The husband, hiding his naughty smile, however said: “Oh how sad! Yes, I will miss my daily meal!

But hey! It’s also a nice chance to get something interesting to eat, without having to tell explicitly…
… how bored I am with my daily meal!”

The husband, without wanting to express that he wanted a change in his meal,
… hid behind a casual attitude of “saying yes” without really intending!

Well… such is the case with many of us as well, probably.

There are many things that we don’t really enjoy…
… yet, pretend that everything is fine.

There are many things not going on fine with us…
… but we still behave as if we are okay with everything.

We sometimes are people who affirm and consent…
… without really understanding or grasping the whole reality

There is a “lip” yes…
… but not a consent with the mind.

The Gospel of the Day presents such a classic case in the context of the disciples of Jesus saying a “Yes” to having understood the teachings of Jesus…
… and invites us to examine our lives and check whether:

We say only a “lip” yes, without the consonance of the mind!

The first 50 verses of the 13th Chapter from St Matthew is a quick montage of several parables…
… Seven in all…

1. Parable of the Sower (vv. 1-9)
2. Parable of the Weeds among wheat (vv. 24-30)
3. Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 31-32)
4. Parable of the Yeast (v. 33)
5. Parable of the man finding the treasure (v. 44)
6. Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (v. 45)
7. Parable of the Net thrown in the sea (vv. 47-50)

These 7 parables teach several great truths and virtues….

1. Preparing our hearts to receive the Generous Word of God….
2. Accepting the reality of evil in the world and being firm to be good…
3. Realizing the Divine Grace that blossoms our littleness into a shelter for many…
4. Recognizing the transforming effect of a committed faith…
5. Experiencing the joy of discovering the Lord as the Treasure of our lives….
6. The Willingness to give up everything to prioritize the Lord as the Pearl of Great Prize….
7. Living a life with the awareness of the judgment of good and evil at the end of our lives!

At the end of this quick, power-packed narration of the 7 parables, Jesus puts forward a question to His Disciples:
“Do you understand all these things?”(Mt 13:51)

The Lord wished to know if His disciples were grasping these great truths of Christian Life…

The Gospel says the Disciples “answered, ‘Yes'” (Mt 13:51b).

Well, we are not fully sure whether the Disciples really understood and grasped everything….

We really can’t say for certain whether their “Yes”…
… was only a “lip” yes or one with the consonance of the mind
… was an external nodding or one with the affirmation of the heart

There are many occasions in the Gospels…
… when we see the Disciples “said something” but did not actually follow it or live it
… or they really did not fully understand and grasp the person of Jesus and His teachings

At the Transfiguration, when Peter said, “Let us make three tents”, the Gospel says, “he did not know what he was saying!”(Lk 9:33b)
After the multiplication of the loaves, the Gospel says “they had not understood the incident of the loaves”(Mk 6:52)
After the calming of the storm at the sea, they said to one another “Who then is this Whom even wind and sea obey?”(Mk 4:41)
They failed to recognize and see the Father in Jesus and so Jesus chided them, saying, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me?” (Jn 14:10)

We therefore do not really know the depth of the “Yes” of the Disciples…
… Was it only an instinctual reply?
… Was it just a spontaneous answer?

But this incident is certainly a reminder and an invitation for us to examine…
… Do we seek to understand the Lord and His Teachings?
… Are we aware of the greatness and the worth of the many devout practices of our faith?

Let us examine…

Do we realize the Power of the Most Holy Mass and prepare ourselves accordingly for a worthy celebration…
… or has it become a regular routine of life, without the due preparation and a sense of reverence?

Do we read the Living Word of God daily, and seek to live in accordance with His Teachings…
… or has the Bible merely become another “object” of the house, only to be kept in a place of seclusion, with an occasional glance?

Do our prayers and the reception of the other Sacraments become a God-experience and have a life-touching effect…
… or have they been rendered as casual or even compelled actions, with little effect on one’s life and activities?

As Christians, we are called to deepen and live with greater conviction.

Today we celebrate the Feast of a Great Saint – St Ignatius of Loyola…
… the founder of the Society of Jesus – the Jesuit Fathers.

He was a man with a lot of worldly ambitions and gripped with seeking vain glory.

But an incident, wherein, he was bed-ridden, as a result of a leg injury, brought a transformation in his life.

Maybe, many of us are also going through a “bed-ridden” phase of our life…
… feeling uncertain about the future
… experiencing worry about the past
… troubled by the anxieties of the present.

Yet, the Lord is with us…
… to transform us and to renew us!

What is needed is our self-giving…
… little and small as we are: let us offer our lives to the Lord
… broken and disturbed as we are: let us give ourselves to the Lord.

Through the intercession of this great saint of Loyola, let us live as “convinced Christians!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.
The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life.

“A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae. (CCC # 2272)

“Discovering the Lord as the Greatest Treasure of our lives!”

(Based on Exod 34:29-35 and Mt 13:44-46 – Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Jenny was a cheerful little seven-year old girl of a poor home.

Once, while out shopping with her mother, in the market…
… she came across a “fine white pearl” in a pink foil box.

Though it was an imitation pearl (not a real one), the girl was highly fascinated, and sought to buy it.

After a lot of pestering, the mother – giving up some of her precious savings, to satisfy her daughter’s desire – bought the imitation pearl to her.

As soon the girl reached home, her uncle – whom she loved much and had returned from foreign – was waiting to see her.

The excited girl ran to her loved uncle, and presented the imitation pearl, saying:
“Uncle, see how beautiful this pearl is! I am so excited to be possessing it!”

But the Uncle – who knew the child’s love for pearls – looked into her eyes and asked:
“Child, if you really love me, give the pearl to me!”

“Oh no Uncle! I can’t give this pearl to you!” said the girl

“I have got this bought from Mummy after a lot of insistence.
I will give you my favourite doll instead… but don’t ask me for this pearl… please!”

But Uncle went on insisting: “No, if you really love me, give me that pearl!”

The child, by now had tears in her eyes…
… and with little drops flowing down her tender cheeks
… Jenny said: “Uncle, I do love you very much.
Though it is extremely hard for me, but because I love you, I will give you this pearl!”

And so saying, she handed over the pearl to her uncle.

As soon as Uncle received that pearl – which was an imitation…
… he reached out his hand inside his bag, and took out a box.

Handing over the box to the crying child, he told her: “Check what I have for you, in return for what you gave me”.

Jenny opened the box.

To her great surprise and delight, it was a Necklace of Real Pearls!
Her eyes glistened, as she held the Priceless Necklace of Pearls, in her little hands.

And as she kept admiring, her Uncle told her:
“Remember my Child! So it is with life…
Unless you recognize and give up the fake things of life…
… you can never possess the real treasures of life!

Never be afraid of taking the risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”

What about us?

Are we ready to hand over the “imitation” pearls to our Loving God, in order to be handed over the real “Pearl of Great Price!”

The Gospel of the Day are the twin parables of Jesus about the Kingdom of God being compared to a “priceless fortune” being discovered.

A man finding a treasure in a field (Mt 13: 44-45)
A merchant finding a pearl of great price (Mt 13:46)

One of the common thought-pattern exhibited in both these parables…
… is: “The risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”

The man on finding the treasure in the field…
… takes the risk of selling everything, in order to buy the treasure, which was priceless
The merchant on finding the precious pearl…
… takes the risk of selling all that he had, in order to possess the pearl, which was priceless.

The pages of the Bible narrate this pattern: “The risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”…

… St Joseph risks listening to the voice of the Angel, and taking Mary as his wife – in order to provide a home for the Son of God – a priceless responsibility!

… St Peter risks giving up his boats and fishing nets – in order to follow Jesus – a priceless vocation!

… Zacheaus risks inviting Jesus into his home and doing away with his riches – in order to obtain salvation – a priceless reward!

… St Paul risks doing away with his former ways of persecuting Christianity and preaching to the Gentiles, instead – in order to win many souls- a priceless way of life!

Indeed, “nothing worthwhile is ever achieved playing it safe, and sticking to the familiarity of the known!”

Are we ready to take this risk…?

… risk of doing away with our sinful ways, in order to live a new life in Christ?

… risk of giving up some undue attachments, in order to allow the Lord to possess our hearts?

… risk of removing some unwelcome addictions, in order to allow the Spirit of God to work in us?

Jesus, the Priceless Fortune deserves our best!

We, however, often cling on to the “imitation” pearls in our life.
… assuming that they can give us happiness – when in actuality, they are mere imitations!

Our Loving God constantly asks us: “Child, if you really love me, give the pearl to me!”

Our human weakness and tendency may tell “Oh no! I can’t give this pearl to you!

But let us not be afraid to “take the risk”…
… and tell the Lord:
“Lord, I do love you very much.

Though it is extremely hard for me, but because I love You, I will give You this pearl!”

Yes, this act of “taking a risk” will surely win for us “The Pearl of Great Price!”!

The Lord is with us…
… waiting to be discovered as the Greatest Treasure!

What is needed is our self-giving…
… little and small as we are: let us offer our lives to the Lord
… broken and disturbed as we are: let us give ourselves to the Lord

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves.

Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes. (CCC # 2271)

“Being inspired by the life of Sts Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and being faithful companions and witnesses of the Lord!”

(Based on Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus)

Luciano Pavarotti was an Italian operatic Tenor.

(A tenor is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is one of the highest of the male voice types)

He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, gaining worldwide fame for the brilliance and beauty of his tone…
… and eventually established himself as one of the finest tenors of the 20th century.

Luciano relates:
“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of singing.

He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice.
Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil.
I also enrolled in a teachers college.

On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’

“Luciano,” my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them.
For life, you must choose one chair.’

I chose one.

It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance.
It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera.

And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book – whatever we choose – we should give ourselves to it.

Commitment, that’s the key.
CHOOSE ONE CHAIR!”

Often we try to find joy and satisfaction in life, by trying to adjust and fit into many “chairs”.

We end up in frustrations and irritation and bitterness.

Our life gets entangled into a lot of annoyance and resentment

The Result: We feel life is totally unfair to us… We complain… We argue!

The Feast of the Day invites us to reflect on this common trend of our lives through the incident of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38-42)

During his journey of ministry, Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary.

Martha demonstrates great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home.

She gets busy with the tasks of serving their honoured Guest.

Mary, on the other side, displays great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus

She gets immersed into spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

This incident invites us to appreciate the courage and devotion of Mary

The role adopted by Mary was something contrary to the fixed norms for a Jewish woman.

She sat at the feet of Jesus, just as a student would, while learning at the feet of a Rabbi.

This was, however, a role reserved for men.

Yet, Mary “chose the better part” (Lk 10: 42)

This incident also invites us to reflect on the words of Christ to Martha.

Jesus tells Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her?” (10:41-42).

The Lord extends an invitation to Martha to examine her approach…

Jesus is not against her actions of service and of providing a comfortable hospitality.

But He is concerned that Martha is too “worried and distracted”

Very often…
… our best intentions in life can get spoilt due to our tendency to over-worry or be over-anxious.
… our noblest deeds of works can be marred due to our unnecessary outbursts of irritation and distractions

The Greek word used for “distracted” is “periespato”

“Periespato” means to be pulled or dragged in different directions

As a result of this high degree of distraction….

Martha fails to maintain an important and basic dimension of hospitality – giving due attention to the guest
Martha also seeks to cause a humiliation for her sister, Mary, in public
Martha even goes on to accuse Jesus of “not caring about her”

We live in a world where we are prone to get easily “distracted” – to be pulled or dragged in different directions – like Martha.

But can we seek to overcome this crippling tendency by “choosing the better part” of giving whole attention to the Lord and to His Kingdom.

The incident also teaches us lessons from Lazarus – who is not seen actively in the entire narrative.

Lazarus reminds us that it is okay, to be in the background, supporting others in their journey with Jesus.
His silence speaks of the importance of listening and being present with others.
He also teaches us about the value of family and community in our faith journey.

Life offers us many “chairs” – choices – which can distract us, cause us irritation and take away our focus from what is most basic and most important.

Let us ask the grace to choose the “one thing that is needed” – the one “chair” – of being committed to the Lord and His Kingdom…
… so that we can enjoy true peace and joy in life!

Let us be inspired by…
… St Martha – in realising our “lack of focus” and in being willing to be passionately committed in the service of the Lord.
… St Mary – in “choosing the better part”
… St Lazarus – in being content to be in the background, and doing our works in silence and tranquility, and thus experiencing the spectacular glory and power of the Lord!

Happy Feast of St Martha, St Mary and St Lazarus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. (CCC # 2271)

“With faith and hope, leaving all to God’s Holy Will in all our prayers!”

(Based on Gen 18:20-32, Col 2:12-14 and Lk 11:1-13 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

One day, a lady was giving some lessons to her little nephew.

He was generally a good, attentive child.

But on this occasion he could not fix his mind on the lessons.

The child had actually lost one of his favourite marbles and was disturbed by it.

So after a little while of distraction, the little boy suddenly said: “Aunty, may I kneel down and ask God to help me find my marble?”

His aunt gave her consent.

The little boy knelt by his chair, closed his eyes, and prayed silently.

Then he rose and went on with his lessons contentedly.

Next day, with fear that the child had not found his toy, and so might lose his simple faith, the lady gently asked him: “Well, dear, have you found your marble?”

“No, Aunty,” was the reply, “but God has made me not want to!”

What a beautiful reply, isn’t it?

God does not always answer our prayers in the way we wish or expect!

But if we are sincere in our prayers to Him… “He will take from us the desire for what is contrary to His Will…
… and give us faith and hope to leave all to His Holy Will!”

What is our understanding of Prayer?

The Gospel of the day is a beautiful invitation…
… To understand Prayer
… And to grow in being a Person of Prayer

The Gospel passage begins with Jesus “praying in a certain place” (Lk 11: 1a)…
… and His disciples asking Him, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk 11: 1b)

Here is an interesting notion that is observed even in our daily lives: EMULATION

EMULATION is a quality prevalent in many areas of our life…

A child emulates the styles and mannerisms of the parents

A student emulates the virtues of his/her teacher and forms an ideal
Lovers seek to emulate qualities in the other to be more and more like them
People emulate the style statements and lifestyles of their heroes (role models)

The disciples of every Jewish Rabbi also had a deep desire to emulate their Master.

This included how the Rabbi appeared, his eating styles, his Sabbath observational manners, what he liked and disliked, his mannerisms and his preferences.
The Rabbi would also teach and emphasize certain aspects of the prayers that he considered most important, depending on his outlook and approach to God.

Thus, we see the disciples of Jesus, the Rabbi also come to Him… to emulate Him

They had seen their Master often resorting to long hours of prayer
They had observed their Master interceding to the Father on important occasions
They had experienced their Master as One Who was in communion with the Father through prayer

And so, seeing their Master in prayer – wanting to emulate Him – they ask Him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Lk 11: 1b)

Here is also an important lesson for us…

Do we want our children to pray?
… As parents, we must be rooted in prayer and children should see us praying

Do we want our parishes to be more vibrant and co-operative?
… The priests especially and the faithful should live as persons of prayer

Do we want our religious communities to be houses of peace and joy?
… The community members have a bounden duty to spend time in personal and community prayer

As Christians, we have a duty to be persons of Prayer…
… being in communion with the Father
… seeking His Will at all times
… living joyfully, knowing that the Father cares for us

The relationship that Jesus emphasizes in prayer is that of God as a Father…

A Loving Father
… Who cares and loves us much!
A Merciful Father
… Who never abandons us and always wants us to be close to Him!

What is therefore needed in prayer, “is a raising of one’s heart to the Father in love”

Jesus in the Gospel, further teaches on prayer, through a parable:

A friend who knocks at the door of his friend at an odd hour in the night, seeking for help (Lk 11: 5-8)

The man had an unforeseen guest, and so he went to his friend seeking for help

This man had the goodwill to serve his guest…
… but did not have the resources to help.

Very often, we ourselves land up into such situations, isn’t it?

We have “guests” coming in different forms….

People with problems and difficulties who approach us for help and assistance
Moments of uncertainty and insecurity that diverts our minds to it
Situations of sicknesses or crisis which seek our attention

In all those situations, we ask ourselves: “What can I do?”

But we need to realise, and be convinced: “The best thing a Christian can do… is to pray!”

In all moments of hardships and difficulties…
… we need to rush to God, our Great Neighbour and cry out to Him, “A friend has come, and I have nothing to set before him.“

Such moments become occasions when we realise…
… Necessity for God and Dependence of God are two essential constituents of Prayer

We thus become persons of Prayer…
… the more we sense the need for God in our life and the more we depend on Him
… the more we know that God is everything for us and the more we know He knows what’s best for us!

Of course, it does not mean that God, our Great neighbour, is sleeping and that He has to be awakened from his slumber…
… or that He has to be forced to render us help.

The point of the parable is that: When we realise we have a Friend Who is most needed for me and on Whom I can depend on…
… Whatever be the time of my life, I will go to Him
… Whatever be the situation I face in life, I present myself to Him

Thus prayer becomes…
… not simply an exercise or an obligation to be fulfilled
… not simply a remedial measure in our moments of struggle

But prayer becomes…
… a time of sharing and presenting ourselves, always, to the Lord seeking His Will
… a moment when we love the Lord more and perceive His plan for us in our life
… a time of self-introspection to weed away anything unbecoming of His Love

The Lord is a Loving Father, Who loves our prayer not because of hard-heartedness…
… but because He thirsts that we spend more time with Him, in His presence!

God’s Love for us… is and ought to become the greatest reason for us to pray!

And so Jesus says, “Ask, Seek and Knock” (Lk 11: 9)

Ask… to come to know that we depend on God for everything
Seek… to continually declare that we wish His Will to be done in our lives
Knock… to surrender ourselves to Him knowing that He is always available for us!

Prayer, is thus, always influential and transformative…
… making us to bend our wills to His Will
… causing us to amend our ways, to have our lives resonant with His Will

Yes, if we are sincere in our prayers to Him…

“He will take from us the desire for what is contrary to His Will…
… and give us Faith and Hope, to leave all to His Holy Will!”

Let us give to the words of St Teresa of Avila:
“Provided that we don’t give up, the Lord will guide everything for our benefit…!
There is no other remedy for this evil of giving up prayer than to begin again!”
May the Lord help us to grow in our understanding of prayer and to always be Persons of Prayer!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. (CCC # 2270)