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Litany of the Saints: Prayer of the Day for Friday, November 01, 2024
Posted on 11/1/2024 06:00 AM (Catholic Online > Prayer of the Day)
St. Valentine Berrio-Ochoa: Saint of the Day for Friday, November 01, 2024
Posted on 11/1/2024 06:00 AM (Catholic Online > Saint of the Day)
Time Well Spent
Posted on 10/31/2024 20:00 PM (Our Daily Bread)
On March 14, 2019, NASA rockets ignited, catapulting astronaut Christina Koch toward the International Space Station. Koch wouldn’t return to earth for 328 days, giving her the record for the longest continuous space flight by a woman. Every day, living roughly 254 miles above the earth, a screen kept track of Koch’s time in five-minute increments. She had a myriad of daily tasks to complete (from meals to experiments), and—hour after hour—a red line inched along the display, constantly showing whether Koch was ahead or behind schedule. Not a moment to waste.
While certainly not recommending anything so intrusive as a red line ruling over our life, the apostle Paul did encourage us to carefully use our precious, limited resource of time. “Be very careful then, how you live,” Paul wrote, “not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). God’s wisdom instructs us to fill our days with intention and care, employing them to practice obedience to Him, to love our neighbor, and to participate in Jesus’ ongoing redemption in the world. Sadly, it’s entirely possible to ignore wisdom’s instruction and instead use our time foolishly (v. 17), frittering away our years in selfish or destructive pursuits.
The point isn’t to obsessively fret about time but simply to follow God in obedience and trust. He will help us make the most of our days.
St. Wolfgang: Saint of the Day for Thursday, October 31, 2024
Posted on 10/31/2024 06:00 AM (Catholic Online > Saint of the Day)
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Posted on 10/31/2024 06:00 AM (Catholic Online > theFeed)
Since when did Halloween become a Christian holiday?
Posted on 10/31/2024 06:00 AM (Catholic Online > theFeed)
Since when did Halloween become a Christian holiday?
Posted on 10/31/2024 06:00 AM ()
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Posted on 10/31/2024 06:00 AM ()
Memorare: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, October 31, 2024
Posted on 10/31/2024 06:00 AM (Catholic Online > Prayer of the Day)
The Great Divide
Posted on 10/30/2024 20:00 PM (Our Daily Bread)
In a classic Peanuts comic strip, Linus’ friend berates him for his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Walking away dejectedly, Linus says, “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people . . . religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin!”
The Great Pumpkin existed only in Linus’ head, but the other two topics are oh-so-real—dividing nations, families, and friends. The problem occurred in Jesus’ day as well. The Pharisees were deeply religious and tried to follow the Old Testament law to the letter. The Herodians were more political, yet both groups wanted to see the Jewish people freed from Roman oppression. Jesus didn’t seem to share their goals. So they approached Him with a politically charged question: should the people pay taxes to Caesar? (Mark 12:14–15). If Jesus said yes, the people would resent Him. If He said no, the Romans could arrest Him for insurrection.
Jesus asked for a coin. “Whose image is this?” He asked (v. 16). Everyone knew it was Caesar’s. Jesus’ words resonate today: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v. 17). His priorities in order, Jesus avoided their trap.
Jesus came to do His Father’s will. Following His lead, we too can seek God and His kingdom above all else, directing the focus away from all the dissension and toward the One who is the Truth.