“During this new year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year. But I abandon myself entirely to you, my God. And my aspirations and all my affections will be for You. I feel so weak, dear Jesus, but with Your help I hope and resolve to live a different life, that is, a life closer to You.” – St. Gemma Galgani
Inspirational thoughts
Gratitude
To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do.”
― Victor Hugo
Rays of light!
“There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.” Charles Dickens
In moments of darkness, look for God’s providential love, it is often stronger and more active…
Dignity and respect
“The pedigree of honey does not concern the bee; A clover, any time, to him is aristocracy.” Emily Dickinson
Do we see God’s image and dignity in every soul we meet?
Selfless mom’s
“A woman is capable of more sacrifices than a man. Man is more apt to be a hero, through some great passionate outburst of heroism. But a woman’s love makes a thousand small sacrifices, sprinkling them through the days and the months; their very repetition gives them the character of the commonplace. Not only her soul, but her body, has some share in the Calvary of Redemption; furthermore, she comes closer to death than man, whenever she brings forth a child.” Venerable Fulton Sheen
Holy Family
“It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. Bring love into your home, for this is where our love for each other must start.” St. Teresa of Calcutta
Little by little…
“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” Leo Tolstoy
Loving difficult people
“You can love a person dear to you with a human love, but an enemy can only be loved with divine love.” Leo Tolstoy
St. John Paul’s first words from his hospital bed after being shot by Ali Agca in St. Peter’s Square were: “Let us pray for my brother who tried to kill me, and whom I have sincerely forgiven.” Shortly after leaving the hospital, he visited Ali in his prison cell to personally forgive him (pictured below).
Love God more intensely
“Seeing the eternal recompense so disproportionate to the trifling sacrifices of this life, I longed to love Jesus, to love Him ardently, to give him a thousand proofs of tenderness while yet I could do so…” St. Therese of Lisieux
Blaming others?
“Blameless people are always the most exasperating.”― George Eliot