Obedience to God's law seems an unlikely road to happiness. Indeed at times it seems to bring us conflict, trial, and great loss. What we lose though, is far less than what we gain if we do the will of God who wills nothing less for us than the joy of life everlasting in His presence. ~ Magnificat 10-16-06

Every morning we arise a fresh in Christ our light. Ancient Christian writers warn against "morning demons." Yesterday's worries and grievances returning to poison the new day. ~ Magnificat 10-16-06

Mary did not fail to live up to her station as the Mother of Christ. When the apostles fled, she stood before the cross and gazed tenderly on the wounds of her Son, because she was waiting, not for her Son's death, but for the salvation of the world. ~ St. Ambrose

Suffering exposes our weaknesses both to ourselves and to others. But Christ does not ask us to carry our cross alone, so we need not fear our weaknesses but glory in this strength as we suffer in and with him for a little while in order to live in and with him for ever. ~ Magnificat 10-22-06

Christ turns false values on their heads; our weakness, not our strength is the door we open to Christ; our humility, not our pride, is the road to success; our insignificance, not our self-importance, is our reason to boast. And, oddest of all, the suffering of the cross is our glory. ~ Magnificat 10-22-06