“By his obedience to Mary and Joseph, as well as by his humble work during the long years in Nazareth, Jesus gives us the example of holiness in the daily life of family and work.”
Question for Meditation: How do you find holiness in daily life?
“By his obedience to Mary and Joseph, as well as by his humble work during the long years in Nazareth, Jesus gives us the example of holiness in the daily life of family and work.”
Question for Meditation: How do you find holiness in daily life?
“And God said love your enemy and I obeyed him and loved myself.”
Question for Meditation: What does obedience to God give you the freedom to do?
“Obedience, Benedict says – the willingness to listen for the voice of God in life – is what will wrench us out of the limitations of our own landscape. We are being called to something outside of ourselves, something greater than ourselves, something beyond ourselves.”
Question for Meditation: What might God be calling you to – beyond what you can imagine?
“Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants and all abide by His bidding!”
Question for Meditation: Why do you think God is calling you in a specific direction?
“Maxiccaqui, ma huel yuh ye in moyollo, noxocoyouh, maca tle tlein mitzmauhti, mitzteouipacho. Macamo quen mochihua in mix in moyollo. Macamo xiquimacaci in cocoliztli, manoce oc itla cocoliztli, cococ teopouhqui. Cuix amo nican nica nimonantzin? Cuix amo nocehuallotitlan, necauhyotitlan in tica? Cuix amo nehuatl innimopaccayeliz? Cuix amo nocuixanco nomamalhuazco in tica? Cuix oc itla in motech moneoui? Macamo oc itla mitztequipacho mitzamana.”
– Sancta María to Juan Diego (Nahuatl)
“Oye y ten entendido hijo mío el mas pequeño, que es nada lo que te asusta y aflije; no se turbe tu corazón; no temas esa enfermedad, ni otra alguna enfermedad y angustia. ¿No estoy yo aquí?, ¿No soy tu Madre?, ¿No estás bajo mi sombra?, ¿No soy yo tu salud?, ¿No estás por ventura en mi regazo?, ¿Qué mas has menester? No te apene ni te inquiete otra cosa.”
– La Virgen de Guadalupe to Juan Diego (Spanish)
“Hear me and understand well, my little son, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”
– Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego (English)
Question for Meditation: What comforts you when you need to be courageous?
“We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things. That is what we are put on the earth for.”
Question for Meditation: What were you put on the earth for?
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’”
Question for Meditation: What was the last “yes” you gave to someone asking something of you?
“Better than worshiping gods is obedience to the laws of righteousness.”
Question for Meditation: What are the laws of righteousness? How do you obey them?
“The paradox of obedience is that it cannot be asked of someone else; it can only be voluntarily given by oneself…”
Question for Meditation: What do you freely give obedience to?
“I know that God is using me in ways beyond my comprehension.”
Question for Meditation: How can you allow yourself to be used by God?