DAY TWO: January 15, 2019
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Intercession
May all people embrace the truth that every life is a good and perfect gift and is worth living.
Prayers
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection
At every stage and in every
circumstance, we are held in existence by God’s love. The presence of an
illness, disability, or other challenging circumstance never diminishes
the value of a human life. For God does not call us to perfection of
appearance or abilities, but to perfection in love. Christ invites us to embrace the lives we have been given, for as long as they are given, as true gifts.
Our relationships on this earth
are meant to help us grow in God’s perfect love. Everyone we encounter
is a gift, not because of what they can do or accomplish, but because of
who they are—a
beloved child of God. May each of us experience the power of God’s
transforming love, that our eyes may be opened to the incredible beauty
of the people the Lord places in our lives.
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Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)
- Take a break from television, movies, and social media today. Consider spending some of that time reflecting on today’s message.
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Pray the short prayer “Every
Life is Worth Living,” reflecting on how you can bring Christ’s love to
others today. (The prayer is also available at www.usccb.org/worth-living.)
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Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.
Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of fear,
pain, and suffering.
Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable,
and help us bear witness to the
truth that every life is worth living.
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Grant us the humility to accept
help when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.
Through our words and actions,
may others encounter the
outstretched hands
of Your mercy.
We ask this through
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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- Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.
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One Step Further
Our culture is obsessed
with perfection—a superficial perfection. Social media, magazines, and
television are staged and edited to depict seemingly perfect lives. When
life doesn’t seem to measure up to these standards, we may doubt our
worth or God’s love.
In “A Perfect Gift” (www.usccb.org/perfect-gift)
one parent shares about the experience of raising a child with Down
syndrome, contrasting it with what onlookers might perceive: “It’s like
looking at a stained-glass window from the outside: The colors look
dark, and you can't quite make out the figures. From the inside,
however, with the sun shining through it, the effect can be brilliant.
From inside our family, love illuminates our life with Charlie.* What
may seem dreary to others, perhaps even unbearable, is actually filled
with beauty and color.” Every life is a gift.
*Name changed for privacy.
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Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Our
Lady of Guadalupe mosaic: Decorates a side altar in the Church of Santa
Maria della Famiglia at the Vatican. Dec. 15. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
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