Minute Meditations | AmericanCatholic.org

Seeking Redemption

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Jesus has suffered for all of us, and he suffers in all of us. He is the reason why redemption and glory are destined to rise up out of our own suffering. We simply need to adhere to him in faith, hope, and love.
Never Give Up

We Are Called

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

We are called to share in the infinite life and love of God. We are called by God to a relationship that is destined to transform us into his likeness, to “divinize” us. This is going to take some stretching, to say the least.
Never Give Up

Pray Incessantly

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

God already knows what you need; now He just wants to hear you say it.
Tweet Inspiration

Focused on God

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Let us never forget that “keeping the Sabbath holy” is more than just going to Church. Rest. Pray. Be present to family. Pray. Laugh. Pray.
Tweet Inspiration

Accepting God’s Answer

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

We often like to claim we don’t know what God wants when, in reality, we do and we just don’t like His answer to our question.
Tweet Inspiration

Carrying Your Cross

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Don’t wear a cross around your neck if all you’re going to do is complain about the one on your back.
Tweet Inspiration

Prayer Is a Gift

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Prayer doesn’t make God love you more. Sin doesn’t make God love you less. His love is not based on our actions. Prayer improves our ability to receive God’s love. Sin severs the relationship.
Tweet Inspiration

Truly Live Your Faith

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Christians are light for each other and for the rest of the world. If we are Christians we have to reveal Christ. This, therefore, is what everyone expects from us: that our Christianity be real. —Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
Firmly On the Rock

Everlasting Joy

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

He will see us and our hearts will rejoice, and our joy no man shall take from us; for this is the sole reward for those who suffer for God’s sake, to rejoice forever in his sight. —St. Bede the Venerable
Firmly On the Rock

True Friendship

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

He who finds Jesus finds a treasure, better than all other treasures, and he who loses him has lost more than all the world. He is most poor who lives without Jesus, and he is most rich who is with him. —Thomas à Kempis
Firmly On the Rock

Four Little Words

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

“Thy will be done.” What a comfort those four little words are to my soul. I have repeated them until they are softened to the sweetest harmony. We are in darkness, and must be thankful that our knowledge is not needed to perfect thy work. —St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Firmly On the Rock

Making Peace

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God. –Thomas Merton
Jesus the Evangelist

Casting the First Stone

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

There are enough people with stones in their hands ready to hurl away. Let us adopt the example of Jesus who, at every occasion, seeks to wrap the individual in love and calls them to a life of holiness.
Jesus the Evangelist

Be Not Afraid

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Let us never be afraid to reach out to those whom we might think of as far away from God. In truth, no one is ever far from the heart of the Father no matter how hard they may try to distance themselves from him.
Jesus the Evangelist

Heavenly Army

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

As the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us, we, too, are called to live out and share our faith in our daily lives. However, we do not have to face this challenge alone. We have the promise that Jesus goes with us, we have a Church that encourages us, we have the Blessed Mother in heaven praying for us, and we have the Holy Spirit with us, offering the right words at the right time.
Jesus the Evangelist

The Secret of Faith

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Jesus smiles and tells us we need to believe so we can understand. Our Mother Mary, early on, figured out how to handle it all—she “treasured all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51). The Bible uses the term heart over one thousand times. It’s the secret of faith.
Holding Jesus

Beacon of Christ

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

On a cold night it’s a good idea to stay near the fire. When our faith cools it’s a better idea to stick to the warmth of Christ’s presence. One of the reasons for adoration of the Eucharist is that the experience fires up our love for Jesus. Instead of being detached and dull Catholics, we are on fire with Christ.
Holding Jesus

Good Relationships

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

Remember, evangelization is rooted in good relationships—with friends, coworkers, and people we meet every day. We are not in the numbers game. We want to help people discover the love and mercy of God right where they are.
Catholic Update Guide to the New Evangelization

The Church’s Role

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST

“The moment has come to commit all of the Church’s energies to a new evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church, can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” —Pope John Paul II
Catholic Update Guide to the New Evangelization

Why Evangelize?

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Fri, 31 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

We evangelize because of love for others. As we have experienced Jesus’s love, we want to share it. The gifts we have received from God are not gifts for us alone, but build in us a desire to bring all people to the Good News.
Catholic Update Guide to the New Evangelization

It’s All About Jesus

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Thu, 30 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

God wants all people to be saved. He fills us with his Holy Spirit—to guide and inspire us, to give us insight, wisdom, and courage. In baptism we were marked with the priestly character of Christ himself.
Catholic Update Guide to the New Evangelization

Secret to Happiness

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Wed, 29 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Being a friend, one who empathizes and supports, is the first step in helping people discover the secret to your happiness—an intimate union with Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.
Catholic Update Guide to the New Evangelization

Virtuous Character

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Tue, 28 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

In deciding when to allow a privilege, age is not the main factor; a child’s character is. And character is measured not by the absence of problems but by the presence of virtue.
Winning the Discipline Debates

A Good Apology

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Mon, 27 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

An apology doesn’t show parental weakness or inconsistency. It shows parental confidence and strength. A good apology is for disciplining badly. It is not for the discipline itself.
Winning the Discipline Debates

Nonverbal Communication

MagEditors@FranciscanMedia.org — Sun, 26 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

Disrespect comes with many faces. Sometimes what’s unspoken speaks louder than any words.
Winning the Discipline Debates