Wisdom from Benedict XVI

Nowadays we would like to make Christianity exclusively a matter of head knowledge. But a Christianity that is merely discussion, organization, and a bit of morality does not support us; we cannot grow fond of it; it does not provide joy and strength for our life. In order for the faith to support us and not to be a burden, it has to touch the heart, we must be able to grow fond of God.

—Benedict XVI from Teaching and Learning the Love of God

More wisdom from Karen L. Dwyer, PhD & Lawrence A. Dwyer, JD

[Today] invite Jesus to heal you and to touch any hurt or sadness. Invite Him to help you walk in forgiveness. Ask Him for the graces you need to respond in faith to what He revealed to you. Ask Him to help you live out His love toward others.

—Karen L. Dwyer, PhD & Lawrence A. Dwyer, JD from WRAP Yourself in Scripture

Wisdom from Karen L. Dwyer, PhD & Lawrence A. Dwyer, JD

Begin your prayer with thanksgiving. Acknowledge that the Lord is with you by saying something like the following: "Heavenly Father, I come into Your presence. Jesus, I know You are here and love me. Thank You, Lord, that I belong to You. Thank You, Jesus, that You want to speak to my heart today through Scripture. Open my heart as I reflect on Your Word. Come, Holy Spirit, and enlighten my mind to Your truth.

—Karen L. Dwyer, PhD & Lawrence A. Dwyer, JD from WRAP Yourself in Scripture

The Surprising Role of Angels in Our Lives

Despite popular belief, angels do not belong to a universe distinct from our own. They form an integral part of our own world, sent forth for the sake of our salvation. They are pure spirits who communicate to us God’s grace, His goodness, and His truth.  Meet the mighty spirits sent by God to enlighten and guide us, defend us from harm, and lead us on the path to eternal life.   In these pages, Fr. Horgan unveils the surprising role of the angels in our lives — and what you must do to gain their help. You will learn how to imitate the angels in prayer and how they offer you the enlightenment and the encouragement God so desperately wants to give you. By praying with the angels, you will be strengthened for what lies ahead, better able to discern and do the Lord’s will in all your actions. Let Fr. Horgan teach you: Why the Church teaches that the angels were created at the time of creation   How angels are invisibly present at every moment of your life   How they can pray with you and for you, amplifying your praise by reflecting it directly to God face-to-face   The responsibilities of the angels at every Mass   The key difference between spirits and angels   Seven habits you must develop to grow closer to God through His angels   The difference in the way humans and angels think   How you can imitate the warrior nature of the angels   The three ways you must respond to your angel’s guardianship   The surprising ways in which angelic warfare is carried out   And much more! His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and The World by Fr. John Horgan Paperback — 304 pages List price: $18.95  Limited Time Price: $14.99! BUY NOW What Customers are Saying: "One of the best books I have ever read." "This book is packed full of facts, stories, and Scripture. Cannot recommend it strongly enough!" "Even those of us who believe in angels need to be reminded of their power from time to time. And for those new to the subject, this is a great introduction."    More on Angels and Spiritual Warfare:    SEE MORE Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com   Invite friends to receive our newsletters and get this book for FREE! LEARN MORE Get one discounted book per month—and never pay shipping! Learn more:

Wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.

—St. Francis of Assisi from Sign of Contradiction

More wisdom from Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Catholicism has a way of sanctifying time. We not only believe physical things are holy and good, but we also believe time is given to us by God. . . . The way we redeem time is through the discipline of our worship. Seeing that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, we—like most other Christians—observe the commandments to keep holy the Sabbath day. The best way to keep the Sabbath holy is to worship God on that day.

—Fr. Dwight Longenecker from More Christianity

Wisdom from Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Our actions change us. The food we eat changes us. Throughout life in a multitude of ways the physical things we do transform us both outwardly and inwardly. The sacraments are simply God’s ways of infusing his grace through these already natural happenings. That he comes to us through ordinary pleasures both humbles and exalts us.

—Fr. Dwight Longenecker from More Christianity

How to deal with difficult family members

How should I deal with my difficult family members? What should I do if I can’t control my emotions? When should I correct others, and when should I hold my tongue? Too often we are late to realize that we mishandled a situation, causing both resentment and frustration. But what if you could approach every situation with the mind of Christ? Dr. Ray Guarendi, popular radio and TV host, offers here dozens of bite-sized reflections that combine sound spiritual advice with the best of modern psychology. These reflections have been distilled from Dr. Ray's decades of experience as a clinical psychologist and a practicing Catholic. Dr. Ray will help you address countless daily problems and create a plan of action for your most common troubles. With his trademark frankness and humor, Dr. Ray tackles all the topics that too often bring confusion and heartache. Learn from Dr. Ray . . . What to do when you’re easily offended   Common excuses parents make for bad behavior in their children—and themselves   The difference between speaking your mind and losing your emotions   The fine line between being a confident evangelist and being a jerk   What you should do when emotions overwhelm you   The difference between making an excuse and justifying an action   How to tell people you’re angry without being nasty about it   What true humility is – and isn’t Thinking Like Jesus is more than a self-help book. It will place you firmly into the mindset of a disciple of Christ so you can focus your attention on God and . . . . . . ultimately, what it will take to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Thinking Like Jesus: The Psychology of a Faithful Disciple by Dr. Ray Guarendi Paperback — 160 pages  List price: $14.95  Today's Sale Price: $12.99! ORDER NOW "Dr. Ray shows us how to think like Jesus so we can live like Jesus." Fr. Larry Richards Founder, The Reason for Our Hope Foundation "This is a must-read for anyone wanting to approach everyday problems with the mind of Christ" Jennifer Fulwiler SiriusXM Radio Host and Author, One Beautiful Dream "A thoroughly enjoyable, challenging, and insightful examination of our everyday lives and actions." Marcus Grodi Host, The Journey Home More on Spiritual Growth:    SEE MORE Please share this email with your family and friends to help cultivate faithful disciples of Christ. Share Tweet Forward Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com   Invite friends to receive our newsletters and get this book for FREE! LEARN MORE Get one discounted book per month—and never pay shipping! Learn more:

Wisdom from Jim Flickinger, OFS

I think too, that God is not concerned with ‘what’ we do, as much as with ‘why’ we did it.

—Jim Flickinger, OFS from Sign of Contradiction

More wisdom from Karl Keating

Actually, both reason and experience tell us the Bible could not have been intended as each man’s private guide to the truth. . . . Christians have understood contradictory things from Scripture—even Christians whose ‘born-again’ experiences cannot be doubted. Indeed, fundamentalists often differ among themselves on what the Bible means. They may agree on most major points, but the frequency and vehemence of their squabbles on lesser matters, which should be just as clear if the Holy Spirit is enlightening them, prove the sacred text cannot explain itself.

—Karl Keating from Catholicism and Fundamentalism