Today's Saint of the Day is the patron of nurses! 😇
Dear John, Today’s Pause+Pray by Bruce Epperly features an inspiring quote from Man’s Search for Meaning author, Viktor Frankl, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Even more profound is the context. Frankl drew this conclusion from his experience in a concentration camp. So often it is circumstance that dictates my thinking patterns rather than the other way around. Prayer that is grounded in gratitude, love, and the empowering notion of allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us can help disrupt unhealthy thinking patterns and reframe our psychological approach to our lives, to the present moment. Today, when we are tempted to slip into victimhood or obsessing over what we don’t have, our lack, might we remember Frankl’s words? We have the power of Christ within us (Ephesians 3:20). Trusting this reality can help anchor our thoughts in love and humility. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” If you enjoy this newsletter, would you help us customize our resources to suit your needs better by donating to Rebuilding God's Church? On behalf of all of us at Franciscan Media, it is truly a joy and honor to create media that hopefully accompanies you or your loved ones on your spiritual journeys. Peace and all good! Stephen Copeland Book Editor |
Saint of the Day for February 5:
Agatha (c. 230 – 251)
Listen to Saint Agatha’s Story Here
As in the case of Agnes, another virgin-martyr of the early Church, almost nothing is historically certain about this saint except that she was martyred in Sicily during the persecution of Emperor Decius in 251. Legend has it that Agatha, like Agnes, was arrested as a Christian, tortured, and sent to a house of prostitution to be mistreated. She was preserved from being violated, and was later put to death. She is claimed as the patroness of both Palermo and Catania. The year after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mt. Etna was attributed to her intercession. As a result, apparently, people continued to ask her prayers for protection against fire. Reflection The scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl. Still less welcome, probably, is the notion of that saint being the patroness of such varied professions as those of foundry workers, nurses, miners and Alpine guides. Yet, in our historical precision, have we lost an essential human quality of wonder and poetry, and even our belief that we come to God by helping each other, both in action and prayer? Saint Agatha is the Patron Saint of: Healing from Diseases of the Breast
Nurses
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Discover what it means to faithfully follow Jesus in the twenty-first century. God Is Not Fair and Other Reasons for Gratitude |
Doubt Can Be Beneficial The word ponder means “to weigh.” Do people need to weigh something about which they are absolutely certain? Does that describe the Virgin Mary’s faith at every point of her life? Isn’t it more likely that at the foot of Jesus’ cross, Mary said to herself in her own way, The Lord is in this somewhere? Children understandably tend to take an either/or approach to life: faith or doubt? Adults who regularly choose a both/and approach can incorporate all of life’s experiences into a growing faith. Doubt can either drive faith or kill it. The choice is ours. —from Franciscan Spirit’s “Doubt: Engine or Enemy of Faith?“
by Pat McCloskey, OFM |
Inner Freedom Reflect Remembering his time in a German concentration camp, Viktor Frankl notes, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” In every situation and every day, you have the freedom to choose how you will respond to the events of your life. You can affirm your freedom, agency, and ability to find joy and meaning in challenging situations. You can choose to love and welcome. Pray God of creative freedom,
Remind me that despite the challenges of life, I can choose love.
I can choose to use my freedom to make a difference.
I can face challenges knowing that I have the freedom to rise above
And be an agent of my own destiny in companionship with you, O God.
Amen. Act Throughout the day, ask God to give you guidance on how best to use your freedom. When you are tempted to be a victim of events, remind yourself that even when you can’t change the situation, you have the freedom to change your attitude. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Bruce Epperly. Learn more here! |
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