Thomas Donaghy - Inspirational Thoughts For Every Day: Minute Meditations For Every Day Containing A Scripture, Reading, A Reflection, And A Prayer

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS
FOR EVERY DAY

JESUS INVITES US TO DIALOGUE WITH HIMI have called you friends because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me. Rather, I chose you (John 15:15-16).

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS FOR EVERY DAY

MINUTE MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY
CONTAINING A SCRIPTURE READING,
A REFLECTION, AND A PRAYER

By
REV. THOMAS J. DONAGHY

Illustrated

CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CORP.

New Jersey

NIHIL OBSTAT: Rev. James M. Cafone, M.A., S.T.D.

Censor Librorum

IMPRIMATUR: Most Rev. John J. Myers, D.D., J.C.D.

Archbishop of Newark

(T-194)

eISBN 978-0-89942-101-8

2004 Catholic Book Publishing Corp., N.J.

www.catholicbookpublishing.com

INTRODUCTION

S OME years ago, following a Nuptial Mass, my few personal words to the couple were, No matter what happens, never stop talking with one another. Several years later, the couple, with all their children now in junior and senior high school, asked me if I remembered what I told them before they went down the aisle. There was no bluffing, because I did not remember.

They shared what I said, while, at the same time, noting that their determination to never stop communicating preserved their happy marriage through good times and bad.

Maintaining communication with everyone is a common-sense way to achieve a better quality of life. Ever more so is the case in our most important relationship, namely, our intimacy with God. Over the ages, this has been the thrust of Scripture, the Saints and spiritual writers. There are so many times throughout each day, as we go about our chosen role in life, when a free minute here, or a ten-minute break there provides an excellent opportunity to communicate with the Lord.

This work is presented as a support for speaking with God many times throughout the day. A word or sentence from the Scripture reading, reflection, or prayer may easily become a mantra for the day, one that enables us to follow St. Augustines admonition, Pray in season and out.

Father Thomas J. Donaghy

Prayer of Ardent Longing for God

O GOD,

You are my God Whom I earnestly seek;

for You my flesh longs and my soul thirsts

as in a parched and weary land where there is no water.

Hence I have gazed toward You in the sanctuary

and have beheld Your power and Your glory.

Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.

Thus I will bless You as long as I live; lifting up my hands,

I will call upon Your Name.

THE Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with kindness and grant you peace.

Num 6:25-26

R EFLECTION. The world tells us that it is resolution time.

We may want to imitate the peace and light of Jesus and Mary as we prepare to go forward as another year begins.

P RAYER. God, our Father, let us always walk in the light and peace of Your love and care for Your people. May we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and Mary.

THE Lord has made known His salvation; He has manifested His righteousness for all the nations to see.

Ps 98:2

R EFLECTION. In faith, we know that our salvation turns on the way that we treat one another.

As a fallen people, all we ask for is justice. It is justice that we must offer one another.

P RAYER. Just Father, be with us in our daily lives. May we imitate Your mercy and justice in all things.

MY lips will proclaim Your righteous deeds and Your salvation all day long.

Ps 71:15

R EFLECTION. The salvation of the world has been brought about through the birth of a small Child.

Therefore, we come to understand the gentle God we call Father.

P RAYER. Come to us, Lord, and spread Your peace and justice in our minds, hearts, homes and workplaces. May we be the instruments of Your love and peace.

AND I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.

Jn 1:34

R EFLECTION. Rejoicing in our Savior, we search out the ways to bring the Good News of our salvation to our family, friends and relatives.

Imitating the gentleness of Jesus is a good way to start.

P RAYER. Lord Jesus, come to us as we rejoice in Your birth. Lead us along the path of generosity and goodness to one another.

THAT grace has now been revealed by the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ. He has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

2 Tim 1:10

R EFLECTION. Indeed, the grace of God has been revealed.

The reality that life will never end for those who seek God in all things has blossomed.

P RAYER. God, our Father, our hearts are filled with joy and praise for the great gift of everlasting life. In our love for each other, may we always reflect Your love in our hearts. Enable us to walk hand in hand with our poor, nourished with Your grace and presence.

FOR the Lord desires that a father be honored by his children, and He confirms the mothers rights over her children.

Sir 3:2

R EFLECTION. When we contemplate any family unit, the simple resolve of each member to accomplish Gods Will in everyday life is a blessing.

It will be a great source of grace and holiness for that particular family.

P RAYER. Almighty God, Father of all, we earnestly entreat You for Your care and concern for families throughout the world. In our love for one another, may we always live according to Your Word, fostering peace and joy among our brothers and sisters.

WHERE is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw the rising of His star, and we have come to pay Him homage.

Mt 2:2

R EFLECTION. The celebration of the opening of Gods Word, and in particular the message of salvation, speaks volumes to us in our relationships with others.

How careful we must be to open our minds and hearts to all peoples.

P RAYER. Lord, our God, like the kings of old, each day we seek the brilliance of the light of Christ. Bless us with all good that we might hasten our conversion of mind and heart so that we may live in the glow of the Messianic redemption.

HE replied, Give them something to eat yourselves. They said to Him, Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?

Mk 6:37

R EFLECTION. Jesus had compassion on the people who had been following Him and listening to Him.

We have at hand the Bread of Angels to nourish us as we strive to live His Word.

P RAYER. God, our Father, be with us as we approach the holies of holies to be nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ. Make us as worthy as possible for this great Gift.

THE mountains will yield peace for the people, and the hills, righteousness.

Ps 72:3

R EFLECTION. Today, we retreat to our private place to talk with God.

We know that wherever our holy mountain is, we will be bathed in peace and justice.

P RAYER. Let us come to You with joy, O Lord, knowing that You will make all things right according to Your compassion and love.