Ephesians 4:32-5:8

Tender-heartedness is minimized by modern society that applauds affirmative, even aggressive, words and actions to promote the ideals of our day. Indeed having a tender heart is seen as weakness more than strength.  Not so in God’s economy, where tender-heartedness is not only applauded but encouraged. As Christ Jesus ministered to human kind, great ‘riches’ and reputation became His as a result of his tender-heartedness towards the marginalized and the lunatics, the sinners and the dispossessed. For two thousand years, the stories of his Christ’s open-hearted mercy have inspired millions to praise him, and to turn to Him for help and inspiration. What opportunities to follow Jesus’ tenderness will I find among people today? Holy Spirit, help me to be tender-hearted so that I can open up to God, to others... and even to myself.    

When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.  (Luke 13:13)
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Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.
St. Teresa of Calcutta  
 
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Soli gloriam dei. 

Ephesians 4:1-6

I sometimes dream of becoming heroic and famous like the Saints... and then recall that the very name Saint implies holiness.  The mighty deeds of heroism and fame are not the things Saints are made of.  Rather, it is the humility and gentleness of men and women relying on the Spirit of God that earn them the respect of others down through the centuries. Today am I striving for heroism and fame, or am I allowing God to prune me into humility and gentleness born of repentance and forgiveness with God and with others?  Christ Jesus, help me live a life worthy of your calling, with all humility and gentleness.   

Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, they will receive blessing from the Lord.  (Psalm 24)
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It is not those who commit the least faults who are most holy, but those who are have the greatest courage, the greatest generosity, and the greatest love...
St. Francis de Sales
 
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Ephesians 3:14 -21

God is able to accomplish far more than we can ask or even imagine, by the power of his Spirit at work within us, St. Paul tells us.  He continues, “May we be strengthened in our inner being with power through his Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love.”  What events are occurring in my life that are designed to root and ground me in love? How is the Lord digging up and fertilizing the fruitfulness of my life?  Root and ground me in your love, O Lord, no matter what it takes.

Do not abandon or forsake me, O God my Saviour.  (Psalm 27)

Love those who humble and contradict you, for they are more useful to your perfection than those who flatter you.  
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
 
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Soli gloriam dei.                                                                     

Ephesians 3: 1-12

At times the clouds are very thick, that cover the glory and the light of Christ.  At other times, the ‘veil is thin’ between me and my Lord.  Thankfully, the fire of the Holy Spirit is capable of burning away all the darkness and storms that lie between me and the presence of Christ Jesus, when I submit to the Lord’s ways of life and love.  How much of the mystery of Christ do I comprehend... and how much is there still to know?  Holy Spirit, help me to know the mystery of Christ Jesus.

Surely God is my salvation.  I will trust and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might.  (Isaiah 12)

The mass is the most favourable time to .... carry to the altar the needs of the entire world.
St. Paul of the Cross
 
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Soli gloriam dei.                                                                     

2 Timothy 4:9-17

Like St.Paul, I face trials and troubles whenever I attempt to stand firm in my ‘good inheritance’ of faith in God. It is then that I most need the Lord to stand by me and give me strength. Too often, however, I look for strength and steadiness in persons, places or things, forgetting that when I ask, the Lord is but a prayer –and a glance –away. When I face trials and troubles, will I crumble under the pressure?  Will I complain bitterly or despair that I am being harassed? Or will I deliberately turn to behold the Lord standing beside me, giving me strength? Lord God, stand by me and give me strength.  

The Lord is near to all who call on him, all who call on him in truth.  (Psalm 145)

Ask and it will be given you; search and you will find.
Jesus, recorded in St. Luke’s Gospel
 
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Soli gloriam dei.