Minute Meditations - Focus on Love

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Focus on Love

Gracious, loving God, help me to be more aware of the obstacles, cares, and anxieties that limit my turning toward you. May I walk the daily path with you, placing my focus on the ways to serve, love, honor, and adore you! Amen!

— from Eucharistic Adoration

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Minute Meditation for 4/30/2012

Minute Meditation for 5/2/2012

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Matt Talbot: Matt can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.
<p>Matt was born in Dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively. For 15 years—until he was almost 30—Matt was an active alcoholic. </p><p>One day he decided to take "the pledge" for three months, make a general confession and begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt’s first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking. </p><p>Most of his life Matt worked as a builder’s laborer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and began a life of strict penance; he abstained from meat nine months a year. Matt spent hours every night avidly reading Scripture and the lives of the saints. He prayed the rosary conscientiously. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions. </p><p>After 1923 his health failed, and Matt was forced to quit work. He died on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. Fifty years later Pope Paul VI gave him the title venerable.</p>

We are called to share in the infinite life and love of God. We are called by God to a relationship that is destined to transform us into his likeness, to “divinize” us. This is going to take some stretching, to say the least.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

	"Saint Who?"
	This new book brings to light amazing stories of now-obscure saints and blesseds.

	New book: Pete and Repeat
	Find the differences in over 50 fun puzzles. Family fun for all ages!

	For Earth Day
	A theological and practical approach to developing a Franciscan spirituality of the earth.

	The Life of Faustina Kowalska
	The extraordinary visions of this humble Polish nun gave rise to the Divine Mercy devotion.

	New, for the election!
	This handy guide helps Catholic voters use a Gospel-based conscience to discern major decisions.

CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	St. Joseph the Worker
	Today we remember that human work has dignity when it contributes to the divine work of creation.

	Happy Birthday
	You are one of a kind. There has never been another you. Happy Birthday!

	Good Shepherd Sunday
	Ask our Good Shepherd to bless us with religious vocations from healthy and holy men and women.

	Fourth Sunday of Easter
	Ask our Good Shepherd to bless us with religious vocations from healthy and holy men and women.

	Thinking of You
	Send someone an e-card today just because you love them.

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