The attack on marriage is really an attack on the human person, and his dignity, for the devil seeks to pervert our true purpose, to pervert God's holy design. For many of us, we cannot march in protests or write dozens of letters or call numerous times to urge legislators to vote for the Truth. But one thing we can all do is pray and fast. We have designated one day each week to fast for these intentions:

1. That marriage may be preserved, promoted, and understood as God's plan for creation.

2. For all marriages that they may reflect the love of the Trinity.

3. For broken marriages that Christ bring healing and conversion to the spouses' souls.

4. For those who are married, for the sanctification of their marriage and their spouse. For those who are single, for their future spouse and vocation.


Thursday, October 17, 2013

October 18th Fast

+
JMJ
"Bless the Lord O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,
Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases,  
Who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
 Who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed  like the eagle's . . ."
(Psalm 103: 1-5)
One performs duties willingly, exercises little heroic and sacrificial acts but is sometimes not satisfied with the peace and knowledge that come with doing God's will.  It is not enough to receive the blessing of God, rather he hopes that his labors are acknowledged by the praise of men.  He is easily wounded by the ingratitude of others, and is tempted to feel slighted by the lack of admiration.

 We, who can feel so hurt by others overlooking our sacrifices, fail to remember the One who is most wounded by ingratitude.  He, who hung so silently on the cross never once says," Look at me and what I am doing for you" or "Do you not see how I suffer for you?"  And yet, Our Lord would be justified in his demand for thanks.  Of course, God is all-just but is also all merciful; a virtue that we must imitate so it can be shown to us as well: 
Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy.
When we are tempted to harbor resentment for small slights  or yearn for recognition of countless sacrifices; we should instead kneel in the interior of our hearts, fall prostrate at the foot of the Cross, and give thanks for the eternal salvation He has gained for us.  Too often, getting caught up in the tediums of the day we can become like the nine lepers in the Gospel story who forgot to thank Our Lord after they had been healed.

 A stubborn pride prevents a humble and grateful heart.  A heart that is firstly grateful to God for the blessings bestowed upon it but also grateful to others for the sacrifices they have made.  Pride has a narrow focus that denies a peripheral view.  When humility is practiced, one forgets himself - his desires, the denial of his needs - and instead sees the sacrifices of his spouse, the little gifts of love from his children.  Now, he is no longer burdened by thoughts of recognition, but rather is bolstered and renewed by acknowledging and participating with the sacrificial love of his family as a whole.

Posted by at

1 comment:

  1. UnknownOctober 18, 2013 at 12:39 AM

    Lord God, you're my strength. Hold my hand in my weakness and teach my heart to fly with you,Oh Jesus!!
    Books On Prayer AND Fasting

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)