Daily Thought

 The "Stirrings" of the Holy SpiritWe who are reborn through the sacrament of baptism have the greatest joy, as we perceive within us the first stirrings of the Holy Spirit, as we begin to understand mysteries; we gain knowledge of prophecy, speech full of wisdom, security in our hope, gifts of healing, and dominion over the devils made subject to us. These gifts, like drops of liquid, permeate our inner self, and so beginning, little by little produce fruits in abundance.From a treatise on the psalms by Saint Hilary of Poitiers (from the Office of Readings)

God Will Tend To EverythingJesus: Let souls who are striving for perfection particularly adore My mercy, because the abundance of graces which I grant them flows from My mercy. I desire that these souls distinguish themselves by boundless trust in My mercy. I myself will attend to the sanctification of such souls. I will provide them with everything they will need to attain sanctity. The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is-trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because I pour all the treasures of My graces into them. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very much. On the other hand, I am sad when souls ask for little, when they narrow their hearts.St. Faustina Kowalska Divine Mercy In My Soul (Diary) #1578

Avoiding AnxietyDo not worry over things that generate preoccupation, derangement and anxiety. One thing only is necessary: to lift up your spirit and love God.St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Encouragement When Tired & Trying To PrayYour fatigue and your distractions in adoration are no impediment to My action in the depths of your soul. I have assured you of this before. Come before Me and remain before Me even when you feel that your adoration is no more than a struggle and a failure to remain attentive in love and focused on My Eucharistic Face. Here, your feelings are of no importance. What matters in My sight is your humility and your willingness to endure distractions, fatigue, and even sleepiness while adoring Me from the heart of your heart. Know that even when you feel that your adoration has been a waste of time, in My plan it is something fruitful and it is very pleasing to Me. I do not see things as you see them nor do I measure their value as you measure it.1Monk, A Benedictine. In Sinu Jesu: When Heart Speaks to Heart--The Journal of a Priest at Prayer (pp. 151-152). Angelico Press. Kindle Edition. 

Avoiding Bitterness In SufferingAfter my own spiritual journey in the writing of this book, I find hope and joy in these truths gleaned from the lives of my saints: Whereas in fairy tales all the difficulties come first, then the hero and heroine marry, and they live happily ever after with death never mentioned; in the story of the saints being drawn closer to Christ, first come many years of intense suffering with intense joy in the spiritual marriage, interior peace in the depths of the soul, and a promise of eternal bliss. All the energy I put into running away from pain, the saints put into running toward Christ. As a result, when I want to find joy in Christ, I have to retrace my steps, whereas they dwell in possession of their beloved, finding joy in him in the midst of their trials. In their union with Christ, the saints did not suffer alone. Their suffering was his, and his theirs. Everything for them was more intimate, if inescapable. I can imitate them by longing for that i…

The Gift of LifeEvery human being is an incalculable force, bearing within him something of the future. To the end of time, our daily words and actions will bear fruit, either good or bad; nothing that we have once given of ourselves will perish, but our words and works, handed on from one to another, will continue to do good or harm to remote generations. This is why life is a sacred thing, and we ought not to pass through it thoughtlessly, but to appreciate its value and use it so that, when we are gone, the sum total of good in the world may be greater.Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur