2025-08-18T00:00:00
"Well done, good and faithful servant......Come and share your master's joy."
— -Mt 25:21
Reflection. In God's house we must try to accept whatever job He gives us: cook, kitchen boy, waiter, stable boy or baker. For we know that our reward depends not on the job itself but on the faithfulness with which we serve God. -Pope John Paul I-
Prayer. Heavenly Father, help me to accept the task You have given me to do in life. Let me be faithful to it all my days and be able to attain Your eternal reward in heaven.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-19T00:00:00
"You are my children, for whom I am enduring a mother's pain again, until Christ is formed in you. "
— -Gal 4:19-
Reflection. There is only one reason for us to be living on earth. We are to bear, manifest, sanctify, glorify, and cause to live and reign in us the name, life, qualities and perfections, dispositions, and inclinations, and virtues and actions of Jesus. -St. John Eudes-
Prayer. Heavenly Father, impress upon mind and heart that I must be conformed to Your Son in all things. Let me imitate Him so completely that I may truly be "another Christ."
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-20T16:52:04
"Keep hold of .....a good conscience. Some people have let that go and have had their faith ruined. "
— -1Tim 1:19
Reflection. A good conscience is a treasure of riches. Indeed, what greater riches can there be--or what can be sweeter--than a good conscience? - St. Bernard -
Prayer. All-knowing God, let me be able to stand in Your presence with a good conscience. Help me to avoid anything that would sully my conscience and do all I can to remain united with You.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-21T17:02:10
"You are now in anguish, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one shall deprive you of your joy. "
— -Jn 16:22-
Reflection. Catholics are part of the Church Militant. They struggle and they suffer for the triumph of Christ. They must never lose sight of their Divine Model, so that their trials will be turned into joy. --St. Pius X--
Prayer. Jesus, Lord of Sorrows, enable me to struggle and suffer in union with You. Let me keep ever before me the joy that will follow upon those passings sufferings.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-22T17:10:07
"My fruit is better than gold, yes, even the finest gold, and my produce than choice silver. "
— --Prov 8:19--
Reflection. Mary is the stem of the beautiful flower on which the Holy Spirit rests with the fullness of His gifts. Hence, those who want to obtain the seven gifts of the Spirit must seek the flower of the Holy Spirit on the stem [Mary]. We go to Jesus through Mary, and through Jesus we find the grace of the Holy Spirit. --St Bonaventure--.
Prayer. Heavenly Father, You made Mary the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Help me through Mary and Jesus to reach the Spirit and obtain His surpassing gifts.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-23T17:18:56
"In Christ we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of His grace that He lavished on us."
— --Eph 1:7--
Reflection. If only we would learn how great it is to possess divine grace and how many riches it has within itself, how many joys and delights. We would devote all our concern to winning for ourselves pains and afflictions in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace. -- St. Rose of Lima. --
Prayer. God of all goodness, keep ever in my mind the surpassing riches of Your grace. Grant that I may devote all my efforts to cooperating with that grace and growing in it day by day.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-24T17:31:04
"God saw fit to reveal His Son to me, so that I might preach the Good News about Him to the Gentiles"
— --Gal 1:16--
Reflection. No matter where you may be or where you may be working, make sure the world will be renewed upon contact with you. Make the Lord more present to human beings and the Gospel more known and loved by them. -- Pope Paul VI --
Prayer. Heavenly father, teach me to imitate Your divine Son in my life. Grant that by my presence as well as by my deeds, I may bring Christ and His message to everyone I meet.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-25T18:03:02
"The servant of the Lord .... must be able to to teach, gently instructing those who oppose him. "
— --2 Tim 2:24-25--
Reflection. All who undertake to teach must be endowed with deep love, the greatest patience, and most of all, profound humility. They must perform their work with earnest zeal. Then, through their humble prayers, the Lord will find them worthy to become fellow workers with Him in the cause of truth.. --St. Louis--
Prayer. Dear Lord, help me to teach others about you by me example as well as my words. Grant that I may spread Your truth and Your light wherever I go.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-26T18:12:18
"Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
— --Eph 5:20--
Reflection. We must never fail to thank our Lord after we have received some sign of goodness, some benefit from Him. For God loves grateful hearts and heaps blessings on them. -- St Mary Euphrasia --
Prayer. Heavenly Father, thank you for all the graces and blessings You have bestowed on me from birth. Help me to show my gratitude by using all Your gifts for Your glory and the betterment of human beings.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-27T19:42:30
"The life I am now living...I am living by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me."
— --Gal 2:20--
Reflection. The crucifix is an open bool that all can read. The crucifix is an infinite declaration of love. --St. Catherine of Siena--
Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, inspire me to read the Crucifix often. Grant that I may return thanks and love to You for Your great love for me.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-28T00:00:00
"Let us love not with words or lips only but in deed and truth."
— --1 Jn 3:18--
Reflection. Love, and do what you will. If you are silent, be silent out of love. If you speak, speak out of love. If you censure, censure out of love. If you forbear, forbear out of love. Put love in your heart. Nothing but good can spring from that source. -- St. Augustine--
Prayer. Heavenly Father, grant me the gift of Your love so that whatever I do I may do out of that love. Let me love, and do what I will--that is, love in deed and in truth.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-29T20:04:05
"you will be given power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; then you will be My witnesses...to the very ends of the earth."
— --Act 1:8--
Reflection. The holy People of God share in Christ's prophetic office. They spread abroad a living witness to Him, especially by means of a life of faith and love by offering to God a sacrifice of praise. --Vatican II: The Church, no. 12
Prayer. Lord Jesus, help me to share in Your prophetic office through the Spirit. Let my life bear witness to You and bring peoples true knowledge of Your Name.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-30T00:00:00
"Suddenly, a great storm came up on the lake, so...that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping...."
— --Mt 8:24--
Reflection. It is impossible to go through life without trials, because trials are the natural proofs of faith. Like watchful mariners, we should be sure to awaken the Pilot of our ship. Those who allow themselves to be over-come by fear while in the company of Jesus deserve to be reproached by Him. For all who are united with Him cannot perish. --St. Ambrose--
Prayer. Jesus, in every trial let me come to you with confidence. Make me realize that you are always present an ready to respond to my call.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-08-31T13:55:47
"He told them a parable about the need for them to pray always and never to lose heart. "
— ---Lk 18:1---
Reflection. Pray always--here is what these words mean: Either prayer must always be on our lips to ask for some grace. Or it must be in our heart in the desire for this grace. Or it must be in our works, which are a preparation for efficacious prayer. --St. Bonaventure--
Prayer. Heavenly Father, teach me the value of praying always. Grant that every event of my life may be the occasion for praying---with my lips, my heart, or my works.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-09-01T14:31:16
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' instruction and the communal life, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. "
— ---Acts 2:42---
Reflection. When the Church prays in her Liturgy it is Christ Who prays. For the Church prays in Christ, and Christ prays in the Church: the Body prays in the Head, and the Head in the Body. ---St. Augustine---
Prayer. Glorious Lord, help me to pray the Liturgy in union with Christ for Your glory. At every Eucharist, let me consciously adore and thank You, make reparation to You, and present my petitions before you.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-09-02T14:57:43
"It is better to be childless but virtuous, for in the memory of virtue there is immortality"
— ---Wis 4:1---
Reflection. Just as the stars are the ornament of the firmament, so the virtues are the ornament and the light of the soul. Virtue is, so to speak, heaven in our heart. ---St John Climacus---
Prayer. All-holy God, grant me the grace to attain the Christian virtues. Let my whole life revolve around them in such a way that I may also radiate them to others.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-09-03T15:11:34
"Since the creation of the world...God's eternal power and divine nature have become visible, being understood through the things He has made. "
— ---Rom 1:20---
Reflection. God is within all things, but not included; outside all things, but not excluded. God is above all things, but not beyond their reach. --- St. Gregory the Great---
Prayer. Lord of creation, grant me the grace to see you in all things and in all places on earth. Help me to seek and reach You in all the events I experiencee and all the persons I encounter every day of my life.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-09-04T00:00:00
"Each one has own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. "
— ---1 Cor 7:7---
Reflection. All the faithful of every state and condition are armed with a great deal of wondrous means of salvation. They are thus called by the Lord---each in his or her own way--- to attain that perfection of holiness with which the heavenly Father is perfect. ---Vatican II: Constitution on the Church No. 11---
Prayer. Heavenly Father, help me to be holy in the way that You have laid out for me. Let me carry out the duties of my state in life to the full and so attain the holiness proper to me.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.
2025-09-05T00:00:00
"The Lord chastises those who worship Him as a means of admonition."
— ---Jud 8:27---
Reflection. Suffering out of love for God is a signal favor, but we do not realize this. For we thank God for prosperity and take no heed that afflictions would be a much better grace. --- St. Joseph of Cupertino---
Prayer. Compassionate Lord, teach me to regard all suffering as something allowed by You to make me more like Your Son Jesus. Help me to accept in this light whatever suffering may come to me.
Reprinted with permission from “Every Day Is a Gift”, published by Catholic Book Publishing, Corp., Totowa, NJ 07512, www.catholicbookpublishing.com.