Day 29 - The Eternal Summer

Virtue: Lively Faith

"You were dead in your transgressions and sins... 

But God who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, 

even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ... 

For we are his handiwork, 

created in Christ Jesus for the good words that God has prepared in advance, 

that we should live in them." 

(Ephesians 2:1, 4-5,10)

Winter...cold, dead, brown.  

Spring... warm, alive, green. 

For those who live in states that experience snow fall and harshly frigid temperatures for months, there is nothing like Springtime. Even for me, a Minnesota girl at heart, who enjoys snowfall and the activities unique to winter, there is still a certain hope that comes with Spring. New life begins, flowers bud, grass takes on new shades of green. Each season has its own beauty, and each one can teach us lessons about the spiritual life.

The change of seasons from winter to summer, holds rich symbolic meaning for the Christian life. We were once dead in our sins, lost in the cold darkness of winter. Yet, God who is rich in mercy, brings our souls new life. Through the cross and death of Jesus, we are given the opportunity to live the journey from winter to summer. As spring returns the grass to the greenness of the former summer, when we enter into a relationship with Christ, the rays of His light shine upon our wicked and dead ways to begin restoring us to the creations were were created to be. Though, it will be a lifelong journey out of sin and into the fullness of life, the Christian strives to keep a springlike faith, with the hope of an eternal summer to come. We continually turn away from sin, which brings death, and work to live our faith through virtue, which brings life. 

The transformation from winter to spring requires a climate change, rain, and sunlight. Something that is dead cannot come back to life by remaining in the cold or dark. Likewise, our spiritual transformation requires an active change. St. Paul wrote, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead" (James 2:26). The faith of a Christian must be expressed through the actions of their life. Spring becomes Summer through specific and recognizable changes. Faith that is not put into action remains in the beginning stages of new life, and will quickly wither and die. We are called to holiness. We must pursue a growing faith with courage and zeal. 

God wants to water our souls and see our faith come to life. Lively faith gives us breathe, it is part of our every move, every plan, every word, and every thought. It encompasses our entire being. We can recognize people who have lively faith, because their trust, obedience, and love for God are made visible in their daily lives. They follow His plan, live each day for Him, seek His wisdom and guidance in every circumstance, they share His love with everyone they meet, they serve Him by serving others, and they are not afraid to express the reason for their faith. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). Faith must  be shared, not through imposition, but by the living action of love in our lives. People should know that we are Christian, weather we have explained our reason for hope or not, they should have a visible witness by the way we live. 

We must be people of joy, that simple joy that comes when the cold weather turns warm, for we have been given new life. We are called out of the dead of winter into the new life that Spring offers. Yet, this ongoing transformation, to turn away from sin and live virtue, is not always easy. Sometimes we don't even desire to leave winter. Sometimes we just don't feel like trying. It is then that we must ask the Lord to grant us the desire to desire holiness. If we recognize our lack of determination, He will water that honest seed. To admit that we sometimes desire the sin, more than the life that God offers, is a prayer that He does not spurn but the beginning of a new spring. To have lively faith is a constant battle, be honest and do not be discouraged. 

Around March, people begin to wonder if winter will ever end. We must remain people of hope... we must believe that even though we are dead in our sins, the spring is coming, and as we actively pursue faith, we will soon find life. 

Today's Challenge: 

Consider, when people look at me do they see the hope of spring? 

What is one concrete way you can live your faith today? 

Write "Lively Faith: actively seeking to grow in faith, faith that is evident and alive" where you can see it each day. 

Today's Prayer: 

Jesus, forgive me for the times that I haven't been as alive as I should be. Help me to walk away from my sins and claim the new life that you offer. Today, please come and fill me with zeal and joy for the journey. Help me to live my faith in every moment. Heavenly Father, breathe your Holy Spirit into my soul that I might come to true and lasting life. Amen. 

Day 28 - Cana

Virtue: Continual Prayer (continued)

"Rejoice always, 

pray continually, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Mary was a woman of continual prayer. Her heart was always ready to obey God because of her constant communion with the Holy Spirit. As a child she learned to pray and was in the regular habit. When she became the Mother of God, her prayer life took on depth beyond our understanding. She communicated with God in a personal way that only His Mother could. Today, she remains in intimate communication with Him, and is always ready to bring the needs of her children to Him. 

At the wedding feast of Cana (John 2:1-12), Mary asks Jesus for more wine to meet the needs of the wedding guests. Their interplay teaches us several things. First, Mary recognized the needs of the people and interceded for them. The wedding feast of Cana can be seen as symbolic of the wedding feast of the lamb (heaven). Mary is there and ready to present our needs to the Lord. She, who is close to the heart of her Son, will run with our prayers to His heart and plead our case. This also reminds us that we are called to become intercessors for those around us who have needs. Intercession is an important part of prayer. 

Second, Mary teaches us that when we bring our petitions to the Lord, we have to trust in His plan above all things. Sometimes the answer to our prayers is not what we think it should be. Mary made a request to Jesus, then she said, "Do whatever He tells you." She did not expect that the need would be immediately answered or how she wanted it to be. She trusted that Jesus knew what would be best for the people and allowed Him to do that. 

Third, Cana teaches us about habitual prayer. Mary was in the habit of asking the Lord what to do. When she found out that there was a shortage of wine, she didn't try to solve the problem on her own. She immediately ran to Jesus and let Him handle the situation.  Jesus hesitated to perform the miracle at Cana, because He knew that it meant the beginning of His public ministry. He knew that it would be the first step towards Calvary, His response to His mother is not a denial but a question of timing. 

We can become so upset when we don't think our prayers are being answered. Mary's trust in God's perfect timing reminds us that when we bring our needs to the Lord, He always answers. Sometimes, we don't have eyes to see the answer. Sometimes, we chose not to believe. Sometimes, the answer is a question of timing. Sometimes, the answer is no because there is a greater good to come. Mary's response, "Do whatever He tells you" reminds us to trust and to be at peace with whatever God has planned. 

Mary's continual prayer was evident the many ways she brought her needs and joys to the Lord throughout her day. However, her relationship with Him was more than just quick conversations. She is also an example of deep and fulfilling prayer, long conversations with the God whom she loved. In both the Nativity (Luke 2:15-20) and the Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:46-51), we read that Mary "pondered these things in her heart." Mary practiced prayer of the heart, that was not just momentary but continuous. To ponder with the heart requires love and attention; it is difficult but necessary and beneficial. It takes quiet time to be still. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that it is the heart that prays. If our hearts are far from God then our words of prayer are in vain (CCC 2562). As Mary did, we should think about the things of the Lord, ponder them, and allow them to touch and move our hearts. Then, His word begins to transform our lives. 

Today's Challenge: 

Spend at least ten minutes in prayer with God's word today. Also, talk to God throughout your day. 

Today's Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, spending time with you in prayer brings new life to my soul and joy to my day. Please help me to find time today to hide away in your presence. I seek you with all my heart, ponder your goodness and truth, and long to be in touch with you continually. 

Mary, Mother of continual prayer, pray for us! Amen. 

More Quotes from Saints on Prayer: 

"To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it." - Mother Teresa 

"Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and it raises man to Heaven. - St. Ephraem 

"For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trail and joy." - St. Therese of Lisieux 

"Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray." - St. Louis de Montfort 

Day 27 - OMG ILU

Virtue: Continual Prayer

"Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."

(1 Chronicles 16:11)

There was a recent advertisement that claimed, "The first step to a new you is a new pair of shoes." For a moment, one might think yes that will make me feel good. Advertisers are constantly appealing to our desire for fulfillment and happiness to sell their products. They offer lasting change with no guarantee. In fact, they know their products will fail to give us what we are searching for, they hope for it, so that we will buy the next fashion they introduce too. Nothing the world offers can give lasting transformation or a new you. The change and fulfillment that we desire can only be found in Christ. He makes all things new. The first step to a new you is prayer. 

Prayer is a living relationship with God. It is the habit that marks the years, days, hours, and minutes, of holy men and women. Prayer is the bond that ties together every moment of our lives to give them meaning and purpose. Without prayer attempting to practice all of the other virtues becomes an impossible feat of one's own will because we lack the grace necessary for success. Our sanctification and the sanctification of the world depend on prayer. 

To pray is to foster a relationship with God. Who are you closest to your life? How do you communicate with them? How often do you go a whole day without talking to that person? With the technology advances of our time we are almost constantly in communication via; social media, text messages, emails, facetime, etc. Texting has become a sure and easy way of communication for many of us. It is so easy that we rarely actually make a phone call. 

My husband is the person that I am closest to in my life. He and I will text each other throughout the day. As best friends do, we will share exciting tidbits of information, frustrations, etc. It leads me to ask, what is my texting relationship like with God? If we want to have a real relationship with God, then we should be sending Him messages throughout the day. We can share with him tidbits of information, our needs, and our feelings. Sometimes when I receive a text message the sound my phone makes brings a smile to my face. Imagine the joy it could bring to our Lord if we interrupt the events of our day to send Him a quick message. When we give over every part of our day to His will, invite Him to be with us, and converses with Him about our feelings, it must bring a great smile to His face. In return, we experience joy as we are aware of His presence in our day and are actively pursuing His will in all we do. 

Yet, are text messages enough to sustain a true and lasting relationship? I cannot imagine not sitting down with my husband at the end of the day to have an actual conversation.  Little messages throughout the day are good, but in order to have an intimate and meaningful relationship, we have to spend time together and give our conversation time for depth. God longs for us to spend time alone with Him each day. Pope Francis said, "May we try to listen and be silent to make space for the beauty of God." God wants us to be still and allow Him time to speak to our hearts. He longs to hear more than just the happenings of our day, but the deepest desires of our hearts. When we take this time, we experience His beauty and he molds us to be reflections of that true beauty. 

Continual prayer is to be both in the habit of "texting" God and having a daily in depth conversation with Him. Prayer is the way we draw nearer to the heart of God. It is through prayer that He whispers to us the secrets of our dignity and changes us to become the women He created us to be. Our relationship with God needs to take priority over all of the other relationships in our lives. A day should not go by that we don't grow closer to Him. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "Prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him" (2560). God is thirsting for us. Our hearts were created to be in union with Him, and in Him we will find the "new you" that we long for. In Him are transformation and fulfillment that are lasting. Prayer is the only step to transformation that has a guarantee. 

Today's Challenge: 

Evaluate your prayer life. Do you communicate with God throughout the day? Do you set time aside each day to be with God? In that prayer time do you do all the talking? Do you open the Scriptures and let God speak to you? What needs to change in your daily prayer lives? How can you take a step toward continual prayer? Don't overwhelm yourself with new commitments, but carefully commit to one new prayer habit you will take on. 

Post where you can see it, "Continual Prayer: ongoing conversation with God." 

Today's Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, you are the greatest of all lovers and you long to have my heart. I thirst for You. There is a longing inside of me for fulfillment, for beauty, for peace, to live out a great plan. That longing is my thirsting for You, and it can only be fulfilled in a living relationship with You. Lead me to pray. Help me to pray more and to pray better. May I turn my eyes to You throughout my day. Help me to find time to sit down and be with you as well. Help me to change my prayer habits, to begin thirsting for You more. Amen. 

Day 26 - Fiat

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to thy word." 

(Luke 1:38)

Mary's exercised the virtue of blind obedience throughout her life. Today, we focus on one moment of perfect obedience. Though we've heard the story before, let us imagine it as if it were the first time and put ourselves in her shoes. 

In Luke 1, we read the story of a young girl (12-15 years old). She stands in her room surprised to see the angel Gabriel before her. The angel explains that she is chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah that her people have been awaiting. She stands in fear and awe. She asks how this could be, after all she is not married and is a virgin. He explains that the power of God will overshadow her and she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit. She ponders this for a moment. Her love for God and trust in His plan assure her that "no" would not be an appropriate response. Then, she accepts this plan with a resounding "yes." Her yes is a pledge of obedience. 

She does not understand all that this plan entails. In fact, she has many questions and serious concerns. Girls who are betrothed as she is, and are found to be pregnant, are subject to being stoned or banished by the man to whom they are betrothed. Her obedience to God could mean death, or at the very least grave humiliation. Soon her body would show signs of being with child and people would question her, mock her, and isolate her as an outcast. Few would believe that this child was conceived miraculously. This honor she was given would require deep humility.  

This young girl took God's hand and trusted him with bind obedience. She did not know what would happen. Yet, she would face whatever people thought of her with courage because she trusted that God's plan was for her good. She took a leap of faith. She trusted, acted, and prayed. She prayed for her betrothed, Joseph, that he would also accept God's plan. It would be difficult for him to accept this circumstance that was seemingly impossible. His part in the the plan was so important, but she didn't run and tell him what to do. Instead, she prayed that he would hear the voice of God and have the courage, trust, and obedience to also say "yes." Then, as Joseph struggled with his decision, an angel appeared to him. After this assurance to trust in the plan, he did accept his role in salvation history. 

Imagine if either one of them had said, "no"? The story of our salvation would be altered drastically. We may not even have salvation. Through obedience, Mary and Joseph lived God's plan and became who He created them to be. This kind of obedience does not always come easy. We will not likely be handed a detailed map of our life, there will be unknowns. We may not understand why God asks us to do something or exactly how we are going to get where we are headed. Mary and Joseph remind us that we must first step out in faith, taking the hand of our Father, and then slowly allow the plan to be revealed to us. 

These two holy saints did not obey God out of fear but out of love. St. Basil said, "There are three dispositions of heart with which we can obey: the first is out of fear of punishment; the second is out of desire to reap a reward; the third is out of love." The third, is what we are all working towards in the spiritual life, for it is the perfect way of obedience. God's desire is not that we obey because we are enslaved to fear or because we seek a reward for ourselves. He desires that we know His love and give our lives back to Him out of love. He loved us into being. Out of love, we are called to discern His will for our lives and to obey His plans, because they are good and will bring us to eternal life. God is not a condemning Father who eagerly awaits His children's misbehavior so that He can reprimand them. If he were, then our response to Him would warrant fear. No, God is a loving Father who eagerly awaits the opportunity to enter into a relationship with us and lead us down the pathways of truth, righteousness, and life. It is love that will make our response to God's plan for us look like Mary's. It is through obedience, in love, that we will put an end to our constant search for happiness and find true and lasting joy. 

Today's Challenge: 

Examine your conscience. In what ways have you failed to obey God in love? How have you said "no" to  Him and His plans for you. Plan to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Father wants to wash away your no's and give you the opportunity to take His hand and say yes. 

Today's Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, I desire to follow your plan for my life. Help me to obey. Help me to obey when its easy, when its hard, when I understand, when I don't understand... Help me to obey you because I am so in love with you that I can't imagine saying no. I love you Jesus, more than anything. Amen. 

Day 25 - Obedience: Walking with Daddy

"You lead me Lord; you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path." 

(Psalm 23) 

Obedience... it is a word that can make children, teens, and adults alike cringe with distaste. The first sin was to disobey God, and as a result our will to obey is still today weakened. In America we often equate obedience with the loss of self and frailty. We seek to reach a prominence wherein we will have to be obedient to no one.  We believe that we should be allowed to live freely by our own desires, pleasures, and plans. Yet, it would do us good to consider, what is freedom? What makes us free? It is it having to answer to no one? Is it not having to follow rules? When we seek this kind of freedom, life void of obedience, we only find that it leaves us enslaved to sin and unhappiness. 

True freedom is found in obeying God's commandments out of love, becoming the children we were created to be, and living the good plans He has in mind for us. Freedom is not the absence of rules or disrespect for superiors. "If you love me you will obey my commandments" (John 14:15). Freedom comes through obeying God's truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). When we follow the path God has planned for us and walk in his truth we find life, free life. It be free is to know, love, and serve our Lord. Therein lies peace and joy, not just happiness, but deep abiding joy. We cannot live lives enslaved to sin and be truly happy, it is not what we were made for.  If we are enslaved to sin (disobedience) we will spend our entire lives searching for more, always looking for the next big thing to bring happiness, and we will never find it. Paul wrote, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Sin enslaves, Christ sets us free.  

Humility leads to obedience. "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8). In order to obey God, we must first humble ourselves to live as His children. St. Louis de Montfort called Mary's obedience, "blind obedience." These two words paired may make us uncomfortable. Surely, the Church is trying to brainwash us to blindly obey and take our freedom. Yet, look at this through the eyes of faith. The term "blind" cannot be seen here as a synonym of irrationality or deception. We are not talking about being blindfolded and led without any information or choice. 

God is your Father, you are His daughter.  Picture a father and child walking hand in hand. Imagine you are that little child, your dad, whom you know loves you and is trustworthy, asked you to follow him. You jumped up and grabbed his hand, began walking... then you asked "Where are we going, Daddy?" You see, small children trust that if someone loves them they will always lead them somewhere good, somewhere necessary, and they don't ask where they are going until their feet are already set in motion. Moving forward in trustful (blind) obedience, they await their Father's description of their destination. 

This is the relationship God calls us to as His daughters. It is not that we won't be given knowledge or will be forced to submit unwillingly to His will. He gives us the choice to follow Him. Sometimes, that choice requires a few steps of faith before we can fully understand where we are going. Walking hand in hand with Him, we trust that God is a loving Father who will always lead us to the good, the right, and the true. "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for your welfare, not for woe. Plans to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11)  His plans are better plans than anything we could ever dream of or create for ourselves. 

Obedience is really just about going where the Lord calls us to go, doing what the Lord wants us to do, and being who the Lord created us to be. Why be obedient? His plan is good. His plan is what brings us freedom and fulfillment. If we become little daughters through humility, then reach up and take God's hand in obedience, He will lead us out of our chains and into the freedom of true beauty and new life. 

Today's Challenge: 

Obedience requires being faithful to God in the small daily tasks as well as the big plans for our future. Prayerfully consider two things: 1. What is God calling me to do in obedience today? 2. What big plan in my future should I give over to the Lord's plan? 

Be aware that our plans often have to change a little (or a lot) when we give the to the Lord, but it is always for the good. Choose freedom and let the Lord's plans for you become your good reality, today and always. 

Also, post these words where you will see them, "Blind Obedience: Freely following God's plan for me." 

Today's Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me to this forty day journey. Help me to take your hand and go wherever you call me to go today. Help me to do whatever you want me to do. Help me to become the daughter that you created me to be. I surrender to you in obedience, bring my soul new freedom. Let me walk the paths you have planned for me for they are my "future and hope." Amen. 

Day 24 - Stay Little

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

(Proverbs 16:18)

Pride is the vice which comes from a lack of humility. When I think of Mary's humility, I am in awe. How many today, could become the Mother of God, and not become prideful? It is difficult enough for us to be Christians, and not let the vice of pride dominate. It is so often the case that once we dedicate our lives to Christ, we are tempted to be self-righteous. A "holier than thou" mentality can cause us to lack essential qualities of a true Christian, such as humility, mercy, and love. Mary shows us that when we carry Christ within, we must do so with profound humility. She of all Christians had the right to boast of her relationship with Christ, but she didn't. Mary boasted only in the Lord and the good things that He had done for her. After conceiving the Son of God in her womb she said: 

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name"

(Luke 1:46 ff)

There was no pride in Mary's heart. When she said "Yes" to God's plan for her life, she called herself his "handmaid" (Luke 1:38).  A handmaid is a servant. Mary's profound humility prepared her to respond to God's invitation, not for her glory but for His. We too, must respond to God's plan for our lives, not because it will make us great but because we are made to live His plan and serve Him with our lives. In our littleness we discover our greatness and the ultimate greatness of God. To become a handmaid of the Lord, is to live as His little daughter, to serve Him in love, and to root out all pride from the heart. 

Christ was able to come into the world to save us because Mary had the humble heart of a servant. In reading the Scriptures, we can see that throughout the life of Christ, Mary continued to live a beautiful life of humility. She gave birth to Christ in a stable. During Jesus' early childhood, She and Joseph lived in poverty, needing and wanting very little. They lived a simple life. As Christ's ministry began, Mary withdrew to the background of His public life. Finally, when He walked the road to Calvary, she quietly walked behind Him in full submission to the will of God. Every step of the way, Mary truly lived as a little humble daughter. 

This virtue of humility is not lofty or unattainable. Many saints have excelled at developing this virtue. Another beautiful example is St. Therese of Lisieux. Therese is known for being the saint of "the little way." Her life was marked by humility. Though she was often criticized for being too young, her childlike faith marked the way of her sainthood. She wrote: 

"We live in an age of inventions. We need no longer climb laboriously up flights of stairs; in well-to-do houses there are lifts. And I was determined to find a lift to carry me to Jesus, for I was far too small to climb the steep stairs of perfection. So I sought in holy Scripture some idea of what this lift I wanted would be, and I read these words: 'Whosoever is a little one, come to me.' It is your arms, Jesus, that are the lift to carry me to heaven. And so there is no need for me to grow up: I must stay little and become less and less." 

We are called to live as God's daughters, to stay little by growing in virtue. How many times have you heard a mother say about her children, "I just wish they would stay little forever!"?  Parents long for their children to remain innocent, pure...little. Our heavenly Father longs for the same for us. He calls us to stay little. 

Today's Challenge: 

Find one concrete action you can do today to practice humility. Who can you serve? What can you do that you would consider "below" you? How can see another as greater than yourself? Do little things with great love and humility today. 

Today's Prayer:
Join Mary in praying the Magnificat. Pray it slowly and ask for the gift of humility.

Day 23 - Humility

"If my people, who are called by my name, 

will humble themselves 

and pray and seek my face 

and turn from their wicked ways, 

then I will hear from heaven, 

and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

The first virtue we turn our attention to is humility. Humility is the foundation of all virtue, prayer, and holiness. To be humble is to know God's love and to live as His child. If we want to come to know God and the beauty that He gave us, then we must "humbly cleanse our hearts" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2779). When we come before God with humble hearts, He can then whisper to us the secrets about who we really are. We have to admit that we don't know everything. We have to recognize that we are the creature and God is the Creator. We should not be prideful about who we have made ourselves to be. All goodness and all holiness come from the Lord. Our gifts and talents are given to us by Him, to reveal His love to the world. Mother Teresa said, "I am a pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."  The greatness that we have to share is a mere reflection of His ultimate greatness. 

To be humble is not something our culture sells today. We are not told to become little, but to become big, great, successful and rich. The Christian sees success and richness in a different light, we live for more than this world and we long to be little and make God's greatness known. We long for the riches of eternal life and the success of the soul, which brings true and lasting fulfillment in this life. Contrary to what we are told, to seek humility is not to lay down and be trampled upon or to lose our dignity. To be humble is to recognize who we are before God and to be His children. We are chosen to be daughters of God, this is the greatest of all identities. We must become little, like a child. In our littleness, we pray, trust, and obey our Father. A good parent doesn't make rules and plans for their children for their enslavement or demise. Our heavenly Father, who is all good, leads the humble child down pathways of freedom and life. 

During the sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke of humility as being "poor in spirit." To be poor in spirit is to choose littleness for the sake of something greater. To deny my own sensual desires, to need God more than I need the things of this world.  This kind of littleness fuels a fire for true love. We are called to humble service. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). The reward of the humble life will be the riches of heaven, "blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs" (Matthew 5:3).  Through humility we live as God's children on earth and inherit His kingdom in heaven. 

Pope Benedict XVI said,

 "It seems to me that for you to grasp the important message of God on humility has never been more important than now... The message is this: don't follow the way of pride, but of humility... It's not about defeat, but it's the result of love's victory over selfishness, and of grace over sin. Following Christ and imitating Mary, we must have the courage of humility; we must entrust ourselves with humility to the Lord, because only then can we become docile instruments in his hands, and have the permission to do great things." 

(Loreto humily and Angelus, Rome, Italy, Sep. 2, 2007)

We are daughters of God, let's allow that to transform us, to be our identity, and to give us life. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10). When we humble ourselves to live as His beautiful daughters, our Father will use use to be a blessing to the world, to reveal His greatness. 

Today's Challenge: 

Find a prominent place (on your mirror, refrigerator, etc.) to begin posting a reminder for each virtue we focus on. Begin by writting "Humility: to live as God's little daughter."  Each time you see this reminder, ask God to help you become humble. 

Today's Prayer: 

Click Here to pray the Litany of Humility.