Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. March 2020 ST. PARISH StThomasWestSpringfield.org Dealing with dif cult people Jesus’ way People who argue, ght, or refuse are able or willing to give, yet we give to cooperate can make our lives in out of guilt or fear of displeasure. St. Toribio de Mogrovejo downright miserable. Yet, Jesus was Two of his best friends, James Born in Mayorga, masterful at dealing with dif cult and John, said to Jesus, “we Spain, St. Toribio was people. Following his example want you to do whatever we ask educated in law can save our sanity and of you” (Mark 10:35). In and became our relationships. response to this stunning the Professor Know when to breach of boundaries, Jesus of Law at ignore. When Jesus was calm and rm. He said Salamanca made his Nazareth “no” and didn’t University. His friends and second-guess himself work and his holiness earned neighbors so mad when he didn’t make his him the notice of the king, that they wanted to loved ones happy. who named him to be the throw him off a cliff, Know when to stay next Archbishop of Lima. he knew there was no calm. When Jesus took a Despite his arguments, Toribio reasoning with them. Sabbath stroll with his was ordained a priest, “Passing through the friends (Matthew 12), consecrated, and sent to Peru. midst of them he went Pharisees barged in and He spent his of ce reforming away” (Luke 4:30). When people accused him of breaking the the then-corrupt diocese, speak harshly or offensively, the best Sabbath. He remained calm and catechizing the native response can be to disengage and walk answered them peacefully. He wasn’t Peruvians, and defending them away. afraid of being tripped up or trapped from the abuses of the Spanish Know when to say “no.” Sometimes because he was unconcerned about conquistadors. others demand more from us than we others’ opinions. Sunday rest Rather than a day to catch up on errands and chores, God intends Sunday to be a day of contemplation and of rest. Why do Catholics call Sunday is the day we set aside for God and moments of praise Good Friday “good”? and worship. “I would like everyone to feel Although a sad day, Good Friday his sacri ce, Jesus conquered loved by the God who gave his actually is “good” because sin and death. On Good Son for us and showed us it is the day when Jesus Friday, we see more clearly his boundless love. saved us from our sins, God’s goodness, justice, I want everyone to reconciled us with God, and wisdom, power, and love. feel the joy of reopened Heaven. Out of “God proves his love for us in being Christian” what seemed like defeat, God that while we were still sinners (Pope Benedict brought a greater victory. With Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). XVI).

©         March 2020 Page 2 3 ingredients for powerful prayer

A close, loving relationship with God throughout the day. depends on a rich prayer life. It is through Listen in silence: Listening is as important as prayer that God guides, consoles, talking. Spend 15 minutes in silence each day strengthens, challenges, and transforms us. to listen to what God wants your heart to know. Ingredients of a strong prayer life can Wait in positive expectation. When we have include a Scripture reading, quiet meditation, faith that God personally loves us and wants what and expectation. is best, we eagerly await the plans he has for us. “... Meditate on Scripture each day: The Bible faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction contains everything God wants us to know. Start of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The conviction each morning with a verse, a chapter, or a phrase that God hears and answers us makes our prayer that speaks to you and carry it with you truly powerful.

Can you suggest a John 11:1-45, Trust, and meaningful sacri ce you shall be rewarded for Lent? God’s ways can be puzzling. In this he wasn’t insensitive to their pain. The point of Lent is not to greet Easter Gospel passage, Martha and Mary sent God’s timing is not ours, yet a few pounds lighter but to be word to Jesus that their brother everything he does – even when he transformed. Try something new this was seriously ill, believing Jesus does it – is with our best interests Lent: could help. Yet, Jesus in mind. He was not too Make extra time delayed in coming to late for for him each day. them and Lazarus Lazarus, but Read the Bible, attend died. Despite this, right on time daily Mass, pray a Rosary, Martha showed great and worked his or visit Jesus in the Blessed faith: “Even now I greatest miracle Sacrament. know that whatever you yet. Avoid the mirror. Take the ask of God he will give The next time it focus off your appearance or you.” For her rm faith in feels like God isn’t looks. Refuse to compare yourself God, she was rewarded generously. listening, remember Jesus’ own words: to others or accept others’ view of you. God never leaves us in our troubles “Father I thank you for hearing me. I Remember, your worth isn’t in how but draws closer to us. When the know that you always hear me.” We can others see you, but in God’s in nite, situation was at its bleakest for his trust his response, while perhaps not unchanging love for you. friends, Jesus was with them. He wept; what we want, will work for good. Give up one thing at every meal. Offer up a little something every time you eat – forego sugar in coffee, honey turned back out of concern for his on cereal - to keep the idea, “it’s Lent,” troops. He resolved never to be in the forefront. involved in war again. Offer the heroic minute. St. Josemaría March 19 – St. , husband of Escrivá suggested jumping out of bed – March 3 – St. Katharine Drexel Mary (1st Century). Jesus’ earthly no snooze button - as soon as the alarm (1955). A Philadelphia heiress, father and husband to the Blessed goes off, “without granting a single Katharine Drexel became a and Mother, St. Joseph is a model of minute to laziness. If, with the help of used her inheritance to establish the fatherhood and a protector of families. God, you conquer yourself in that Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for March 27 – St. John of Egypt moment, you’ll have accomplished a African and Native American peoples. (c.394). Born in modern great deal for the rest of the day.” She founded missions for Native Assiut, Egypt, St. John Americans and Xavier University in became a when he To provide practical ideas that promote New Orleans, the rst to admit African was twenty. He lived an faithful Catholic living. American students. ascetic life but preached Success Publishing & Media, LLC March 4 – St. Casimir of Poland publicly on weekends. Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax (1483). When his father sent him to Also a prophet, he made http://www.growinginfaith.com conquer Hungary, Casimir assessed the two accurate predictions (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible) odds against winning the war and for Emperor . © Copyright 2020 Success Publishing & Media, LLC