Call to Holiness: February

Scripture Focus:

  • Jer. 17:5-8: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.”
  • Luke 6:17, 20-26: Note:  The whole Gospel is Jesus teaching the Beatitudes.

Catholic Social Teaching:

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of at the human person. (USCCB)

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm

Challenges:

  • Extend courtesy to a driver who cuts you off.
  • Listen attentively to someone who disagrees with you.
  • Accept a decision with which you don’t agree.
  • Be kind when faced with rudeness.
  • Allow someone to go ahead of you in line at a store.

Saint of the Month:

St. Ignatius Loyola

Ignatius Loyola was on his way to military fame and fortune when a cannon ball shattered his leg. Because there were no books of romance on hand during his convalescence, Ignatius whiled away the time reading a life of Christ and lives of the saints. His conscience was deeply touched, and a long, painful turning to Christ began. After a period of great peace of mind, he went through a harrowing trial of scruples. There was no comfort in anything—prayer, fasting, sacraments, penance. At length, his peace of mind returned.  It was during this year of conversion of heart and spirit that Ignatius began to write down material that later became his greatest work, the Spiritual Exercises.  He is founder of the Society of Jesus, called the Jesuits.