Here are some gems you might not have run across on the site yet. Discover something new below.
The Gospel of Matthew shows how Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. It also focuses on discipleship and the path we must take to follow Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew particularly points out how disciples must go beyond following the letter of the law in the Old Testament and instead let the heart of Jesus rule their lives.
The Book of Isaiah is one of the prophetic books of the Old Testament. Isaiah is preaching a message of reform and renewal.
In this Transfiguration quote, Pope Francis reminds us that the apostles encountered a dazzling white Jesus Christ on the mountain. Like them, we must allow ourselves to soak in the light of Christ. And then we must take that out to the world, spreading His light to all people.
Underlying all our strengths and weaknesses, stronger than all our past hurts and failures, or our fears and concerns about the future, there is this great truth: We are beloved sons and daughters.
We need to pray for priests who, like St. John Vianney, dedicate themselves to serving God's people. Priests live a life of service to show the mercy and love of God.
he Letter of James was probably not written by one of the apostles named James. Instead, the author is thought to be the James mentioned as "brother of the Lord". The letter is directed at Christians who are living outside of Jerusalem. It asks the readers to live with the conduct and morality appropriate to Christian beliefs.
May the Holy Spirit teach us to view the world with God’s eyes and to treat our brothers and sisters with the gentleness of His heart.
This Pope Francis quote reflects on the gospel for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B. In this gospel, the people of Jesus' hometown can't recognize him as the Messiah. They know him too well and already have assumptions about him.
How often we leave the Lord in a corner, at the bottom of the boat of life, to wake Him only in a moment of need! Let us ask for the grace of a faith that never tires of seeking the Lord, of knocking at the door of his heart
We need to learn how to take a break. This quote, related to Mark 6:30-34, reminds us that the call of Jesus to go to a quiet place and rest is for all of us.
The Book of Psalms is a book of prayers. The psalms express the author's praise, thanksgiving, distress, or even anger. Here are some resources, reflections, and social media graphics for the Book of Psalms.
Even if our prayers might ramble and be weakened by a wavering faith, we must never stop putting our trust in Jesus. Supported by Jesus’ prayer, our timid prayers rest on eagles' wings and soar up to heaven.
The seed of our good works can seem like a small thing, yet all that is good pertains to God, and thus it humbly, slowly bears fruit. Good always grows in a humble, hidden, often invisible way. #GospelOfTheDay
We used to hate and destroy one another and refused, to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies
Jesus wants to be found by those who look for Him. But to look for Him we have to get up and go out. - Pope Francis
"Return insults with compliments" This St. Benedict quote which was written as a rule for monastic life can help us in family life also.
When we pray, we need to be humble, so that our words are actually prayers and not just idle talk that God rejects.
This Bread of Life quote from Pope Francis reminds us that only Jesus can satisfy our spiritual needs.
We are all called to live the joy that comes from the encounter with Jesus, to overcome our selfishness, and to move beyond our comfort zone. - Pope Francis
Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.
The Gospel of John is very different than the other three gospels. It has completely different stories about Jesus and events take place in a different order than in the synoptic gospels. There are no parables in the Gospel according to John. Jesus is clearly depicted as God in this gospel, from start to finish.
We can patiently accept not being good. What we cannot bear is not being considered good, not appearing good.
Christians do not follow their own whims, but rather the call of love, the voice of Jesus.
Use this traditional pro-life prayer to pray for all of those who protect the gift of life, including the unborn, the marginalized, the prisoner, the poor, the immigrant, and all who need defense.
Charity is the beating heart of the Christian: just as one cannot live without a heartbeat, so one cannot be a Christian without charity.
Ask Christ to help you become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ's example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as fruitful rain
The Cross Is the Tree of Life
The cross expresses love, service, unreserved self-giving: it truly is the “tree of life”, of overabundant life. - Pope Francis
This Pope Francis quote about following in the footsteps of Christ reminds us that Jesus always looks on us in compassion. And he wants us to look on each other in love and concern also.
Mary’s heart is like a pearl of incomparable splendour, formed and smoothed by patient acceptance of God’s will through the mysteries of Jesus meditated in prayer.
It would be good to ask ourselves every day: “What do I bring to Jesus today?”. He can do a lot with one of our prayers, with a gesture of charity for others. This is how God loves to act: He does great things, starting from those small things.
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four gospels. It has an urgency to it. Phrases like "immediately" and "at once" are frequently encountered.
The Holy Spirit impels us to love not only those who love us and think as we do, but to love everyone, even as Jesus taught us. He enables us to forgive our enemies and the wrongs we have endured. He inspires us to be active and creative in love.
Loving and forgiving are tangible and visible signs that faith has transformed our hearts. - Pope Francis
If you are willing to bear serenely the trial of being displeasing to yourself, you will be for Jesus a pleasant place of shelter.
Look upon Christ Crucified: our hope for eternal life is born in Him. - Pope Francis
Walk Stop Mix Up is a team building game or icebreaker which requires listening skills. It requires no props, can be played indoors, and works for different group sizes.
A joyful soul is like healthy soil in which life can thrive and produce good fruit. - Pope Francis
A faith that does not trouble us is a troubled faith. A faith that does not make us grow is a faith that needs to grow. - Pope Francis
Let us never tire of seeking the risen Christ who gives life in abundance to those who meet him. To find Christ means to discover peace in our hearts.
Jesus reveals Himself as the Bread of life. For He alone nourishes the soul, He alone makes us feel loved even if everyone else disappoints us, He alone gives us the strength to love and forgive in difficulties, He alone gives eternal life.
The Lord calls you today to travel with Him through the city, your city. He calls you to be His missionary disciple. - Pope Francis
Jesus Christ, Lord of all things!
You see my heart, You know my desires.
Possess all that I am – You alone.
I am Your sheep.
Make me worthy to overcome the devil.
The American Saints Activity series helps families learn more about American saints in hopes that they will look to them as role models. One of the offerings in the series is based on the life of St. Damien of Molokai.
I thank all women who every day strive to build more humane and welcoming societies. - Pope Francis
Discouragement can be a great danger in the spiritual life. Sometimes it seems so much easier just to give up. It is said that the hardest day to pray is the day after you stopped praying. So when you feel like it is all just too hard, follow St. John Neumann's example and pray from your despair.
Just as when we were children, we were afraid to be alone in the dark and could only be assured by the presence of someone who loved us. Well this is exactly what happened on Holy Saturday, the voice of God resounded in the realm of death. The unimaginable occurred; namely, love penetrated Hell.
St. Blaise is known for healing a choking child. So he is the patron saint of throat illnesses and injuries of the throat. Every year on his feast day, February 3, throat blessings are held at Catholic Churches around the world.
The center of confession is Jesus who waits for us, who listens to us and forgives us. - Pope Francis