“Consider that today has been given to you so that through it you may earn eternity. Resolve firmly to make good use of the day for this cause” (St. Francis de Sales).
Today is the day that has been given to me by my Heavenly Father! We cannot know for sure whether there will be a tomorrow. If we make good use of today for eternity and do not waste it, our life will take on a fruitful focus.
“Our angel’s desire to help us is much greater than our desire to let him help us” (St. John Bosco).
In his infinite goodness, our Heavenly Father grants us a reliable friend and lifelong companion. It is a great joy for our guardian angel to accompany us, because on the one hand this service allows him to show his love for God, whose command he fulfills, and on the other hand he can offer us his love through his help and fraternal closeness.
“There is no better way to honor God, our Father, than through boundless trust” (St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori).
Boundless trust honors our Father in a special way, as St. Alphonsus Maria affirms. In fact, the saint is convinced that there is no better way to honor Him.
“When the soul contemplates something beautiful and charming, let it consider how much more beautiful, charming, and good is the One who made it. In this way, it will turn directly toward the One who created everything. If it hears a sweet melody or something else that delights it, let it say, ‘Oh! How lovely must be the voice of the One who will one day call you, and from whom all the grace and harmony of the voice emanate.’” (St. Mechthild of Magdeburg)
“I let Myself be easily found, because I am here and in you” (Inner Word).
The masters of spiritual life remind us again and again that we can find God within ourselves. And this is so because the Lord Himself assured us: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (Jn 14:23).
“Carry all people in your heart and bring them to Me.” (Inner Word)
How is it possible to fulfill this word? We need only think of our Heavenly Father. He carries all people in His heart and knows them all by name. Without a doubt, He wants to save them all and lead them home to Himself. To this end, He sent His Son.
“Humility is the truth; it puts us back in our true place, because, in reality, what are we before God?” (Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini).
Humility is truth and, therefore, awakens us to a real vision of our life. How absurd pride is, which clouds our vision and, over time, blinds us! Just think of the fallen angel, who became intoxicated with his own beauty and, in his delirium, rebelled against our Heavenly Father.
“Do not despair when others reject or even hate you. Remain in love, as I have always been. Then you may win them over.” (Inner Word)
It is certainly difficult to bear when other people reject us. For we were brought into being out of love by our Heavenly Father, and we were created for love. On this path of love, our lives unfold in true harmony. In a way, the rejection and hatred of others call our very existence into question. And this is even more intense when it comes from people who are close to us or once were close to us.
“It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven.” (1 Maccabees 3:19)
In the militant Church, we are indeed a small flock that must defend itself against the attacks and assaults of evil. Is this a reason to give up? No, because the above verse from the Book of Maccabees is preceded by the following: “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few.”
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful” (Psalm 139:14).
Have we ever said this to our heavenly Father? Have we ever tried to look at ourselves as God looks at us and become aware of the love with which He has called us into existence? Have we thanked Him with all our hearts?
