Christ at the summit

That is the calling of Christians, that is our apostolic task, the desire which should consume our soul: to make this kingdom of Christ a reality, to eliminate hatred and cruelty, to spread throughout the earth the strong and soothing balm of love. Tags: God’s glory, Work, Christ Is Passing By

Sport and interior life

To you, who like sports, the Apostle’s argument should appeal: “All the runners at the stadium are trying to win, but only one of them gets the prize. You must run in the same way, meaning to win.”
The Way, 318 Tags: defects, sports, Ascetical struggle

Rest

Rest means recuperation: to gain strength, form ideals and make plans. In other words it means a change of occupation, so that you can come back later with a new impetus to your daily job. Tags: rest, Interior life

Formation, a constant job

There is an urgent need for spreading the doctrine of Christ. Store up your training, fill yourself with clear ideas, with the fullness of the Christian message, so that afterwards you can pass it on to others. Tags: Study, Faith, Formation, Catechesis, Year of Faith

Sanctifying ordinary work

Sanctifying one’s work is no fantastic dream, but the mission of every Christian — yours and mine. Tags: Passionately Loving the World, Opus Dei, Rectitude of intention, Responsibility, Work, Ordinary life

The Ascension of the Lord

It has always seemed logical to me that the most holy humanity of Christ should ascend to the glory of the Father. The ascension has always made me very happy Tags: Joy, Heaven, Hope, Jesus Christ

May, the Month of Mary

The Catholic faith sees Mary as a sign of God's special love. God calls us his friends; his grace acts in us, winning us from sin, enabling us to reflect in some way the features of Christ. We start wanting to speak to her, who is also our mother. We want to treat her as someone who is alive. Tags: Piety, Interior life, Our Lady

In Saint Joseph's workshop

We do know that he was not well-to-do: he was just a worker, like so many millions of people throughout the world. He worked at the same demanding and humble job which God chose for himself when he took our flesh and came to live just like the rest of us for thirty years. Tags: St Joseph, Work, Christ Is Passing By

The Cross is no easy solution

When I speak to you about suffering, I am not just talking theory. Nor do I limit myself to other people's experience when I tell you that the remedy is to look at Christ, if when faced with suffering, you at some time feel that your soul is wavering. Tags: Cross, Suffering, Holy Week , difficulties

The Ascension

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Tags: Apostolate, Gospel, Jesus Christ

Stations of the Cross to download

St Josemaria reminded people that the secret of Christian living is to follow Christ’s life. He meditated on it himself. Extracts from his book The Way of the Cross are now available as an illustrated leaflet, in pdf format, to meditate on and share with friends. Tags: Cross, The Way of the Cross, Lent, Holy Week

Hard times

Sickness, family problems, money worries, annoyances, lasting sadness. Hard times are something everyone has experience of. Can they be sanctified? In Christian life are they an opportunity or an obstacle? Tags: Cross, Peace, difficulties

Almsgiving or how to to lend a hand

Didn’t you see the light in Jesus’ eyes as the poor widow left her little alms in the temple? Give him what you can: the merit is not in whether it is big or small, but in the intention with which you give it. The Way, 829 Tags: Charity, Generosity, Lent

The salt of mortification

St Josemaria recommended something he practiced himself: including “a cross in every dish”. In other words offering a small mortification at every meal, for example, drinking water a little less often; taking a little less of what he liked or a little more of what he didn’t like so much. Tags: Mortification, Ordinary life, temperance

Knowing when to keep silent and when to speak

“Keep silent, and you will never regret it; speak, and you often will,” suggested St Josemaria. But elsewhere he also said, “Hell is full of closed mouths.” Some passages from his writings can guide reflection on the wisdom of silence and of the right word at the right time. Tags: Friendship, Apostolate, Sincerity, Daring