Christy Gabriel's Blog (128)

“Take heed, therefore, how you hear.” Lk.8:18

Reflection:

   God speaks to me in many different ways: through the Scriptures, through the circumstances of my life, with its joys and sufferings, and through the people I meet.

   Do I always listen to and obey His voice? What a terrible thing it would be if God did not speak to me anymore because I do not listen to Him!

Prayer:

   “Speak to me, my Lord; Your servant is listening. In…

“Be imitator of God as His dear children, follow the way of love.” Eph.5:1-2

Reflection:

   The life of Christ was full of love, sacrifice and self-denial up to His Death. I am called to follow His example of love.

   This means not to live for myself but for Him, Who loved me first, and for those in whom He wants to be loved.

Prayer:

   “My Lord and my Savior, because You loved me You gave up everything for me. Grant me the grace to…

“Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” Rom.12:21

Reflection:

   Evil has a creative force. If I pay back evil with evil, I do not conquer it, but rather I am conquered by it and become its ally.

   If, instead, I oppose good to evil, I destroy the roots of evil in me with the help of God’s grace, and I do much good. Why don’t I always act thus?

Prayer:

   “Lord, victory is always on Your side. Strengthen me that I…

“I myself am the Bread of life. No one who comes to Me shall ever be hungry.” Jn.6:35

Reflection:

  Bread gives life and energy; but it must be eaten. Therefore, our Savior, as Bread for the soul, wishes to be received and eaten with the right disposition of sorrow for sin, humility, and thankfulness for His great gift to us.

   Worship and admiration are not enough to save the soul from death of starvation. Why don’t I approach the Sacred banquet more…

“With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.” Jer.31:3

Reflection:

   God is essentially love. Therefore, everything He commands me to do is because He loves me whether it brings me joy or pain.

   I must never forget this, especially in times of difficulty and trial.

Prayer:

   “Beloved Father, grant me the assurance of Your love. Then even at the hour of my Gethsemani I shall never cease to have peace in…

“Do not conform yourselves to this age.” Rom.12:2

Reflection:

   My goal is to become more and more like God. This requires a change of my inner self. I now need that renewal of mind and heart which will free me from the spirit of the world and make me adhere to Christ, through the working of the Holy Spirit.

   I must examine myself to see where I stand in this and pray for grace to change what needs to be changed.

Prayer:

  …

“Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, is brother and sister and mother to me.” Mt.12:50

Reflection:

   When God’s will speaks everything else must remain silent. Even the greatest creature must humble himself. Above the ties of blood there exists the community of those who have done the will of God.

   Christ belongs to them and they belong to Him, in the same way as brothers and sisters and mother belong one to the…

“Each one of you is a son of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal.3:26

Reflection:

   As children of God, we must give ourselves in love, one to another. We must help each other in our troubles, as is proper for brothers and sisters.

   Do I think of all human beings as my brothers and sisters, and that I have duties and responsibilities toward them?

Prayer:

   “Jesus, my Brother, grant that I may love…

“For God has shone in our hearts, that we in turn might make known the glory of God.” 2Cor.4:6

Reflection:

   My mission in the world is to be a light in the darkness and a guide to others in their journey through life.

   Therefore I must strive, with God’s help, to receive His grace and so to bring Him to all persons who are in need of Him.

Prayer:

   “Good Shepherd, grant that I may always be Your helper. Let me serve You with absolute faithfulness. In…

“Venerate the Lord, that is, Christ, in your hearts.” 1Pt.3:15

Reflection:

   If I believe in God’s presence within me I will not permit anything profane or unworthy of Him in me. I will avoid everything that is not in accordance with His will because He is all-Holy.

   My only fear must be to displease Him, and my only concern to give all worship and honor to Him Who is my Lord.

Prayer:

  “Holy Spirit, come and fill me with Your…

“All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Rom.8:14

Reflection:

   Are my actions motivated by worldly gratifications and advantages, or by God’s will?

   My whole life should breathe Divine things, because being a child of God is at the same time both a gift and a duty.

Prayer:

   “Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Spirit. Grant that I may be Your obedient instrument at every moment of my life. In the name of…

“Whoever does not accept the reign of God like a little child, shall not take part in it.” Mk.10:15

Reflection:

   How little God demands of us in order to enter into His kingdom: ingenuity, fidelity, and a child’s humility! Yet He demands much prayer and effort to overcome human pride.

   The Kingdom of God cannot be bought, cannot be obtained by human force, cannot be seized by cunning. It is given as a gift to those who have a childlike spirit.  …

“You are the salt of the earth.” Mt.5:13

Reflection:

   I am not alone in the world. Rather I have been born into a large community of souls to whom I have obligations, not only as a human being but as a child of God.

   Do I realize that I can be an influence for good but also for evil in the world, and that on the day of the last judgment God will not only judge my own soul, but also the souls of my neighbors?

Prayer:

   “My Lord…

“Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.” Ps.126:5

Reflection:

   How would I be able to endure this earthly life, heavy and burdensome as it is, if I did not know that it is just an instant compared with eternity! Now is the time to sow, and after a short interval the harvest will be gathered.

   Through patient endurance of the sufferings of this life the eternal glory will be attained.

Prayer:

   “God of love, do not abandon…

“My grace is enough for you.” 2Cor.12:9

Reflection:

   How often in my life I have been deluded and deceived because I have trusted exclusively in myself or in others! Why don’t I turn directly to God?

   He is Omnipotent. With His grace I will become invincible, even though the powers of hell rage against me.

Prayer:

   “Most holy and almighty God, help me to turn to You in every need and danger. Arm me with Your strength, so that I…

“Then you will lead a life worthy of the Lord.” Col.1:10

Reflection:

   In my daily living I am necessarily occupied with ordinary and secular things. But I wish to sanctify everything I do through supernatural intentions.

   In this way, my life will be pleasing to God and enable me to reach Him.

Prayer:

   “Father, grant that my life may be a sacred service to You. May I always bring honor to You, and draw down Your blessings upon…

“No more than a branch can bear fruit of itself apart from the vine, can you bear fruit apart from Me.” Jn.15:4

Reflection:

   Without Christ and His grace all our efforts and actions are in vain. With Christ and His grace everything, even the most insignificant act of our daily lives, becomes fruitful for all eternity.

   My crop will be plentiful only if I abandon myself to His will and live the life of grace.

Prayer:

   “My Savior, instill Your Divine…

“But the Lord keeps faithful; He it is Who will strengthen you and guard you against the evil one.” 2Thes.3:3

Reflection:

   God’s faithfulness should be my comfort and my encouragement when I feel weary and disheartened in performing my duties.

   My Father never abandons me. He helps me according to the measure of my faith.

Prayer:

   “Faithful God, strengthen my faith. Make me willing and obedient in fulfilling Your will, even…

“Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit.” Rom.12:11

Reflection:

   O how often I defraud God in the small events of daily life. Sometimes I do so by my lack of fervor, and at other times by aspiring to great things and grand actions for my own pride.

   Yet God does not look upon “how much” but rather on the “how;” therefore a small thing becomes great if it is done with much love.

Prayer:

   “Heavenly Father, grant that I may be…