Daily Inspiration Thread

He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.
—Luke 9:51

Fully aware of what awaits him, Jesus remains “resolutely determined.” St. Thérèse in her “little way” is also resolutely determined. She writes, “Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.” Though the outward character of these sacrifices—the crucifixion and the “little way”—are different, the resolution is the same. To grow in love is a crucifixion, or many little crucifixions, along the way to Jerusalem.

The Holy Guardian Angels


For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
—Psalm 91:11

Angels are always in the thick of things: the Annunciation, the birth of Christ, tending Jesus in the desert, announcing the plan of heaven, protecting, guarding, guiding. They intercede for us before the face of God. Our Father in heaven has ordered the world such that it is full to the brim of such beautiful, holy creatures. How generous.

Holy angels, pray for us.

The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.
—Luke 10:2

You are the harvest.

You are the wheat.

Would the Lord entrust you to just anyone?

Lord, you are generous. Send us more men and women who will delight in serving you, gathering up the Church with singleness of purpose.

St. Francis of Assisi


O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
—Psalm 16:5

As far as we know, St. Francis was the first to receive the stigmata. Not many people receive such a sign of holiness. Still, we are invited to bear the holy wounds of Jesus on our hearts and minds. How? By accepting and even being grateful for whatever sufferings we experience, and by asking God to redeem us through them, to make full use of them in ways that only heaven can.

Fear not, my children; call out to God! / He who brought this upon you will remember you. / As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, / turn now ten times the more to seek him; / For he who has brought disaster upon you will, / in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.
—Baruch 4:27–29

It is never too late to turn your heart back to God and to enter his plan for you, that of deep and abiding joy.

For the vision still has its time, / presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; / if it delays, wait for it, / it will surely come, it will not be late.
—Habakkuk 2:3

We wait for Jesus. We pray and beg and pour out our hearts, and impossibly he says, “Wait, child. I will not be late. My timing is perfect. My fulfillment of every promise is satisfying beyond measure. You will know such joy! Child, I am coming. I will not be late.”

May we grow in the virtues of patience and holy poise.

Our Lady of the Rosary


From the belly of the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God. Then the LORD commanded the fish to spew Jonah upon the shore.
—Jonah 2:1, 10

Poor fleeing Jonah, spewed up onshore by a sea creature. The source of our rescue may not always be as glamorous as we wish, but our rescue comes nonetheless. Mary teaches us this paradox, too: her queenship lies in her humility. Her tremendous interceding power issues from meekness and quiet courage.

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us who sometimes try to flee from God’s way and will.

"If we are confident in Christ, we will see success where others see failure and sunshine where others see darkness. Lord, help me to live each day to the fullest.

"Today, Lord, help me to recognize and accept the love that comes to me, even if it isn't coming to me in the way I had expected it.

"May it comfort you in times of stress and difficulty to know that all that you suffer is so worthwhile because it is carrying you forward and upward to a perfect life. Lord, make me strong when I am weak.

"When you are ready to simply give up, remember God's promise that in the end all things work together for good. Lord, help me hold this truth and trust You to be at work in my life.

Thank you love

"Like the sunrise, may God's blessings come to you this morning as you awaken and renew your spirit. Lord, I want to begin and end every day with You.

"Enjoy the beauty of your own life. Appreciate your own uniqueness and talents. Lord, help me to never compare my life with that of another. Teach me to be happy with me and happy for my neighbor.

"A thankful heart doubles our blessings and causes us to enjoy them twice; once when we receive them and again when we remember them. Lord, let me never take You for granted and daily remember to say thank you.

"Most worries are like puddles. By tomorrow they will have evaporated. Lord, today be my comfort, free me from my worries and fill me with trust in Your love for me.

"As long as I am on this earth, Lord, help me to continue growing and seeing Your wonders in the world around me. Keep me always aware of Your blessings.

"Today, Lord, I give you the damaged pieces of my life and ask that You will mend them and make me whole again.

"To reach Heaven, we must sail. Sometimes we sail with the wind and sometimes against the wind, but we must sail, not drift or be anchored. Lord, Thy Will be done so that I will stay on course all the days of my life.

"When you are finished changing, you are finished. Lord, help me to grow in love and wisdom and courage today and to handle my responsibilities so that I am better prepared for tomorrow.

"No great or good work is ever accomplished without patient preparation. Lord, when my work is not going as I planned, remind me to be grateful that I am being trained for greater achievement.

"Heaven is a permanent home. When you enter, you will find that you are neither unknown nor unexpected. Lord, may my supreme desire be to do Your holy will.

"Do not be overwhelmed by your sorrows and anxieties. Have courage, for so many depend on you, your thoughts and your attitude. Lord, take my troubles so that I may better serve You.

"When everything is cheerful, it is easy to be cheerful. It is not so easy when life is full of darkness. At these times we are tested. Lord, in dark times fill me with the light of Your love.

"Lord, today help me to become more like the person You created me to be both inside and out. All things are possible with You.

"Be comforted, children of God, for there is eternal life for all souls that love God. Apply this love to all of your human troubles and they will be resolved.

"If today you are sick in body, weary in mind, feeling despondent and hopeless, turn your thoughts away from yourself. Focus your mind and soul on God. Pray and praise God and know that all of Your needs will be met.

"Give your burden to the Lord. Place your problems at His feet. Do not be tempted to unravel the knot alone because the harder you pull, the tighter the knot gets. Concentrate on our gentle and loving Lord and believe in His love for us. All problems will be solved.

"In your darkest moments, look up! Lord, You are my light. You give me the courage and the wisdom that I need to make my dreams my reality.

"Give God a chance to work His miracles. Lord, I will be more patient because I know that in Your time, Your Will be done.

"Simply trust in God. You have only to ask and you shall receive. God, grant me an unending stream of help and healing. Fill me with Your peace.

"Good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help someone up. Lord, fill me with your love, so that others may know You through me.

"Withhold criticism and be patient. Lord, my humanness allows me to quickly judge the actions of others. Help me to remain quiet and loving because I do not know all circumstances.

"When you realize the spirit of Christ within, everything changes. Lord, I am thankful that You love me so much.

"A simple 'Good Morning, Jesus!' is the best way to start your day and let God know that you are open to His help for making this day full and accomplished. Lord, two work better than one. I have much to do and need Your help.

"One should not stand at the foot of a sick person's bed, because that place is reserved for the guardian angel."

"You are a child of God. You are a radiant human being. Live today with the confidence that God's love for you is beyond any love that we know and allow nothing to bind or limit you. Lord, thank you for loving me so much.

"Today be kind and loving and expect nothing in return. When you lift your consciousness above the darkness, you will understand that the life of Christ is the only enduring life. Lord, teach me to see You in my neighbor.

"You are a child of God. You are a radiant human being. Live today with the confidence that God's love for you is beyond any love that we know and allow nothing to bind or limit you. Lord, thank you for loving me so much.

"Today be kind and loving and expect nothing in return. When you lift your consciousness above the darkness, you will understand that the life of Christ is the only enduring life. Lord, teach me to see You in my neighbor.

"For every difficulty we face, there is an opportunity. Lord, let me remember that You give me no more than I can handle.

"The weight of your burden is determined by your perception of it. If you believe it is too heavy, it will be. Lord, help me remember that nothing is impossible with You.