SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE
Read the Sunday Gospel slowly. Place yourself in the scene and reflect on the images and feelings that arise. What words catch your attention? What sights and smells do you imagine?
OFFER A LITANY OF HUMILITY AS YOU START YOUR DAY:
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. (repeat after each line)
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled…
From the desire of being honored…
From the desire of being praised…
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted…
From the desire of being approved…
From the fear of being humiliated…
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes…
From the fear of being calumniated…
From the fear of being forgotten…
From the fear of being ridiculed…
From the fear of being wronged…
From the fear of being suspected…
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. (repeat after each line)
That others may be esteemed more than I…
That, in the opinion of the world…
others may increase and I may decrease…
That others may be chosen and I set aside…
That others may be praised and I unnoticed…
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
PRAY THE ST. ANDREW CHRISTMAS NOVENA PRAYER:
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen.
PRAY A DECADE OF THE ROSARY (OR A FULL ONE) MEDITATING ON ONE OF THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection | The Ascension | The Descent of the Holy Spirit | The Assumption | The Coronation of Mary
Rosary Guide available here: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/rosaries/how-to-pray-the-rosary.cfm
JOIN THE CHURCH IN PRAYING THE ANGELUS AT NOON
The Church has a rhythm of prayer throughout the day. Every day at noon, the Angelus prayer is offered.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc…
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word.
Hail Mary, etc…
V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc…
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His passion and cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
PRAY THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
Praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a beautiful way to enter into the abundant Mercy of God. It only takes a few minutes and can easily be prayed almost anywhere. Using a rosary, follow the guide found here to pray this chaplet: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/how-to-pray-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy.cfm
TAKE 5-10 MINUTES AND JOURNAL IN PRAYER
Journaling can be as simple as writing a short letter to God about your day, your feelings, your needs . . . or you can take a quote from a Saint or verse from Scripture and reflect on it. Over time, look back at what you’ve written to see how God is moving in your life.