Grace: To have heartfelt knowledge of Jesus who wept over his friend Lazarus, and raised him from the dead, so that I may love him more fervently and follow him more closely. Text for Prayer:  John 11:1-57 Reflection: This scene marks a pivotal point in the Gospel of John and the narrative of Jesus’ public ministry… Read more »

Grace: To know Jesus, who calms our storms and invites us to collaborate on his work, that others may know that he is our shepherd. Text for Prayer: Matthew 14:22-33 Reflection: One of my favourite films is P. T. Anderson’s Magnolia. In this film, there is a scene where it rains frogs. It is a powerful… Read more »

Grace: To grow in poverty of spirit as a person of the Beatitudes during this Lenten season. Text for Prayer: Mt 5:1-12 Reflection: Jesus tells us in his sermon on the mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” In the sermon at his installation mass yesterday, Pope Francis… Read more »

Grace: An intimate knowledge of our Lord, Who has called me, that I might love Him more and follow Him more closely. Text for Prayer: John 1: 31-51 Reflection: The Apostles who were called to follow Jesus are well described by the motto of Pope Francis: miserando atque eligendo (“miserable yet chosen”).  None of the… Read more »

Grace: To have heartfelt knowledge of Jesus who was tempted in the desert, so that I may love him more fervently and follow him more closely. Text for Prayer: Luke 4:1-13; Matthew 4:1-11 Reflection: Jesus passed around thirty years at home in Nazareth. Evidently there came a time when he felt called, or perhaps moved,… Read more »

Grace: For an intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord who chose to be like us in every way except sin. To be moved with compassion for those in need. Text of Prayer: Matthew 3:11-17 Reflection: Speaking about the Baptism of Jesus, Maximus of Turin, one of the Church Fathers said: “What sort of a baptism… Read more »

Grace: To reform my own heart during this Lenten season in order to collaborate with Pope Francis in reforming the Church Text for Prayer: Matthew 16:18 and the “Autobiography of St. Ignatius” “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the… Read more »

Grace: To choose what is for God’s greater glory and the salvation of my soul. Text for Prayer: John 17:24-26 and SpEx on Humility Reflection: This meditation on the three forms of humility is an excellent meditation for Lent. At the beginning of Lent we head out to the desert for forty days to pray and… Read more »

Grace: To know and be able choose how to draw closer to the Lord, to do what is most in line with His plan for humanity and most conducive to my own happiness. Text for Prayer: Mark 10: 32-34 Reflection: Once we pass the half-way point of Lent, we start to think more and more of… Read more »

Grace: To understand the deceits of the Enemy, to guard myself against them, to desire to live the true life exemplified in the sovereign and true Commander, and to imitate Him each day. Text for Prayer: Spiritual Exercises 136-147 Reflection: The text for today’s prayer is known as the meditation upon two standards: two ways that lie… Read more »