March 12 - God the Savior, He came Himself in person to visit man, to console him, to tell him He loved him… God loved man and prove it to him. He became a man in order to become his brother in the flesh… (GRR, 1st Meditation, Mar. 14, God is Love)

May 11 - No matter how skilled a sailor may be, the storm comes in spite of him and carries him away with sails and engines. So, the weather comes from above. Our fault consists in not being ready to resist the storm. (St. Peter Julian Eymard, Correspondence 968)

March 10 - Please, let us not bite the cross, nor the thorns, but kiss them, because they bear Jesus Christ, our good Master. (St. Peter Julian Eymard, Correspondence 2168)

March 9 - Seek then, only Jesus and you will have peace with true joy, that joy which the accomplishment of our Lord’s will gives, a joy which exist in the midst of all the sufferings of body and soul, in the midst of all trials. (Mo. Marguerite Guillot, SSS - Conference to the Novices, Feb. 1884)

March 8, Wednesday, 2nd Week of Lent [Can you drink the cup I am to drink of? Matthew 20:17-28] The cup of Jesus is a loving sacrifice in order to give life to people. Following Jesus Christ in the context of Religious Life is never easy. It is always a question of willingness. Am I willing to go through the ups and down in following Christ? Am I willing to be sent wherever I am called to go? Am I willing to make sacrifices for others? Am I willing to give my service with compassion and love without expecting any return? Lord Jesus, grant me the grace of a loving and a generous heart, so that I may be able to respond willingly to your daily call as I follow you closely. Amen.

March 7, Tuesday, 2nd Week of Lent [“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:1–12] The call to service. The Christian identity is servant, disciple, humble follower. Greatness is seen in the acts of love, in being willing to serve the needs of others, as Jesus did. I remember when I was asked to do some charity work for our sick sisters. I was hesitant but in the end I accepted the task given me. It was not easy, but it was a humbling experience for me. I am not used to doing menial work for others but that was the call at the moment– to give service to those in need for the love of Christ.

March 6, Monday, 2nd Week of Lent [Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:36–38] When was the last time I felt merciful towards other people? Just recently, there is someone in the community who by just looking at her makes me uncomfortable, her lack of spirit and low energy is affecting me, thus I avoid her presence. But when I gaze at her without any judgment and impression, I feel sad for her… The Gospel today, Jesus is challenging me to go beyond my personal bias, to reach out and be merciful to my neighbors who are in need of love, attention, and care. Merciful Lord, fill my heart with your love and mercy so that I too, may become merciful and loving to others. Amen.

March 5, 2nd Sunday of Lent We recall that prior to the Transfiguration, Jesus taught His disciples that He would have to suffer and die and that they must also follow in His footsteps. His Transfiguration happened to strengthen his apostles. He showed Himself, His glory to give them courage as they begin to experience hardships following Jesus Christ. O Lord, help me to always keep my eyes on You and may the image of Your Transfiguration strengthen me when I’m tempted to despair. I also pray in a special way for the many people who are experiencing difficulties at this time, that they may find solace and consolation in You Lord. Send generous people to help them. Amen

March 4, Saturday, 1st Week of Lent [“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” Matthew 5:43–48] Jesus is commanding me to love everyone including those whom I dislike, those who tempt me to annoyance and anger, those who offended me, those who have hurt me. To love them and to see them as God’s beloved children like me. Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us to the end. Grant me the eyes to see all people as You see them and to love them as You love them. Increase my love for You and for others. Amen

March 3, Friday, 1st Week of Lent […If you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire… first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift…. Matthew 5:20-26] I have one particular ‘someone significant’ whom I find her words too strong and harsh plus her glaring eyes when she speaks! Many times I am offended by her words but the problem is… I just don’t know how to approach her to speak honestly about how I feel. At the end of the day, it is me who suffered, not her. Today’s Gospel, the Lord is challenging me to be reconciled with my sister or brother, to re-establish a true friendship again and again, putting behind my grievance and to start anew. This is not easy, it takes both people to cooperate but for my part, I am challenged to work hard to establish a reconciliation… Lord, grant me the humility to ask forgiveness of anyone I upset.