Day 5
Saving Grace: (5 minutes)
Saint story of the Week: St. Maximillian Kolbe When Maximillian Kolbe was a child, he would get in trouble by his mother. One day, his mother was so frustrated, she said, "I just don't know what is going to become of you." This shook Maximillian and he decided to pray in front of their statue of Mary. Mary then appeared to him and offered him two crowns to choose from, a red and a white crown....the red symbolizing martyrdom and the white symbolizing purity. He chose them both. He was forever changed after this experience and went on to become a very influential priest in Poland, reaching millions of people through a newspaper dedicated to Mary and her soldiers for God. Because of his influence and speaking out against the Nazi's, he was arrested and brought to a concentration camp. One day three prisoners escaped, and everyone else was made to stand at attention all day. Finally, the soldiers announced that because of the escaped prisoners, 10 men must die in a starvation bunker. They began to choose 10 men at random. One man, on being chosen, cried out for his wife and children. Maximillian Kolbe stepped out of line and asked if he could take the man's place since he was a husband and father, an action that very well could have gotten him shot. The soldier looked over him and said, "Who is this polish pig?" Kolbe replied, "I am a Catholic priest." The soldier allowed him to take the place of the father/husband and he was taken to a starvation chamber with the other 9 men. In some of the worst conditions imaginable, Maximilliam Kolbe led the men in prayer and songs of praise, encouraging them to remain strong and rejoice in their opportunity for martyrdom and helping souls get to heaven. Slowly the men began to die off, until all of them had died except Maximillian, who continued singing songs of praise. Finally, after weeks without food and water, the guards entered to find him on his knees singing and praying to his dear blessed Mother on the vigil of the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Knowing what was coming, he stuck out his arm, and was given a lethal injection. There are guards and prisoners who witnessed all this and lived to tell about it, and they marveled that Maximillian Kolbe simply would not die from the starvation and refused to have his will broken despite such horrific suffering. Nothing could take away his peace.
After reading this story of Maximillian Kolbe, how does your perception of faith and suffering change? What kind of "weapons" did Maximillian Kolbe use to fight such horrific evil? Is there anything in this world that can take away your peace if you know your destination? Following Jesus may lead you into storms...that it is ok. The message of the gospel is not that there wont be any more battles. The message of the gospel is that now we can win. Reflect on your potential to defeat the enemy and win the "war within" with the swords of virtue.
Athletics: (10 Minutes) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days.
Virtue of the day: Obedience....Trust Christ and His Church. Even if Jesus leads you into storms, follow him and be obedient to his plan.
If we do not take care of ourselves physically, then every other aspect of our lives will be affected. Exercise is powerful in creating a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Soon, we will be implementing exercise into some of these daily challenges. Today, watch this short video on the effects this can have on your physical well being if you make it a habit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo
Instructor's Manual: (5 minutes) Get the memo http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Need to Know Him (10 Minutes) The world is noisy. God whispers. You must befriend silence to hear his voice. Spend 10 minutes in the classroom of silence. Simply ask God, "Show me the plan for my life. Speak Lord, your servant is listening" and then sit, clear your mind, and listen. Any quiet place will do, but sitting in front of the blessed sacrament or a tabernacle is ideal if you can make it work. It will be awkward the first couple times if you are not used to it. Sitting in silence with somebody you don't know real well is awkward. But as you come to know God more and more, sitting together in silence will bring peace and clarity.... Sometimes there is no need for words. "Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be."
Theology of the Body: (60 seconds) Jesus says: "This is my body given up for you." Perhaps you wont be called to a "red" martyrdom like Maximillian Kolbe was, but you are called to a white martyrdom. Sometimes living is harder than dying. Focus on the white crown of purity today and what that means in your life. Remember, loves seeks to give not to get. Love receives it doesn't take. Love is much more than a feeling or attraction, it is a choice. It is self donation...the outpouring of self for the good of another. We only find our true selves by giving ourselves away.
SACRIFICE AND SERVICE: Make a difference Monday:
"To lay your head on the pillow at night and know that somebody else breathes easier because you live today. That is where the fulfillment comes." -Matthew Kelly
You were created to serve, and you will never be happy as long as you are focused on yourself. Your potential to make a difference in another person's life is unfathomable. Today, FIND A WAY TO MAKE SOMEBODY'S DAY. The possibilities are endless, here are a few ideas...Write a short note of encouragement, send a handwritten letter, send an email to old friend, call your Mom just to check in, go to a restaurant and pay somebody's bill, google an address from anywhere and anonymously send them some money and a note of encouragement, smile at a stranger, let somebody go ahead of you in line, tell somebody you appreciate them, compliment a co-worker, encourage a child, visit a nursing home, encourage a flustered parent, spend time with a child, send flowers, visit an elderly person, open a door, do more than you are asked at work, write to a prisoner, pray for somebody on death row, offer a prayer....
If you want your life to flood with passion and joy. Do this challenge. It doesn't take that much.
Saving Grace: (5 minutes)
Saint story of the Week: St. Maximillian Kolbe When Maximillian Kolbe was a child, he would get in trouble by his mother. One day, his mother was so frustrated, she said, "I just don't know what is going to become of you." This shook Maximillian and he decided to pray in front of their statue of Mary. Mary then appeared to him and offered him two crowns to choose from, a red and a white crown....the red symbolizing martyrdom and the white symbolizing purity. He chose them both. He was forever changed after this experience and went on to become a very influential priest in Poland, reaching millions of people through a newspaper dedicated to Mary and her soldiers for God. Because of his influence and speaking out against the Nazi's, he was arrested and brought to a concentration camp. One day three prisoners escaped, and everyone else was made to stand at attention all day. Finally, the soldiers announced that because of the escaped prisoners, 10 men must die in a starvation bunker. They began to choose 10 men at random. One man, on being chosen, cried out for his wife and children. Maximillian Kolbe stepped out of line and asked if he could take the man's place since he was a husband and father, an action that very well could have gotten him shot. The soldier looked over him and said, "Who is this polish pig?" Kolbe replied, "I am a Catholic priest." The soldier allowed him to take the place of the father/husband and he was taken to a starvation chamber with the other 9 men. In some of the worst conditions imaginable, Maximilliam Kolbe led the men in prayer and songs of praise, encouraging them to remain strong and rejoice in their opportunity for martyrdom and helping souls get to heaven. Slowly the men began to die off, until all of them had died except Maximillian, who continued singing songs of praise. Finally, after weeks without food and water, the guards entered to find him on his knees singing and praying to his dear blessed Mother on the vigil of the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Knowing what was coming, he stuck out his arm, and was given a lethal injection. There are guards and prisoners who witnessed all this and lived to tell about it, and they marveled that Maximillian Kolbe simply would not die from the starvation and refused to have his will broken despite such horrific suffering. Nothing could take away his peace.
After reading this story of Maximillian Kolbe, how does your perception of faith and suffering change? What kind of "weapons" did Maximillian Kolbe use to fight such horrific evil? Is there anything in this world that can take away your peace if you know your destination? Following Jesus may lead you into storms...that it is ok. The message of the gospel is not that there wont be any more battles. The message of the gospel is that now we can win. Reflect on your potential to defeat the enemy and win the "war within" with the swords of virtue.
Athletics: (10 Minutes) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days.
Virtue of the day: Obedience....Trust Christ and His Church. Even if Jesus leads you into storms, follow him and be obedient to his plan.
If we do not take care of ourselves physically, then every other aspect of our lives will be affected. Exercise is powerful in creating a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Soon, we will be implementing exercise into some of these daily challenges. Today, watch this short video on the effects this can have on your physical well being if you make it a habit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo
Instructor's Manual: (5 minutes) Get the memo http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Need to Know Him (10 Minutes) The world is noisy. God whispers. You must befriend silence to hear his voice. Spend 10 minutes in the classroom of silence. Simply ask God, "Show me the plan for my life. Speak Lord, your servant is listening" and then sit, clear your mind, and listen. Any quiet place will do, but sitting in front of the blessed sacrament or a tabernacle is ideal if you can make it work. It will be awkward the first couple times if you are not used to it. Sitting in silence with somebody you don't know real well is awkward. But as you come to know God more and more, sitting together in silence will bring peace and clarity.... Sometimes there is no need for words. "Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be."
Theology of the Body: (60 seconds) Jesus says: "This is my body given up for you." Perhaps you wont be called to a "red" martyrdom like Maximillian Kolbe was, but you are called to a white martyrdom. Sometimes living is harder than dying. Focus on the white crown of purity today and what that means in your life. Remember, loves seeks to give not to get. Love receives it doesn't take. Love is much more than a feeling or attraction, it is a choice. It is self donation...the outpouring of self for the good of another. We only find our true selves by giving ourselves away.
SACRIFICE AND SERVICE: Make a difference Monday:
"To lay your head on the pillow at night and know that somebody else breathes easier because you live today. That is where the fulfillment comes." -Matthew Kelly
You were created to serve, and you will never be happy as long as you are focused on yourself. Your potential to make a difference in another person's life is unfathomable. Today, FIND A WAY TO MAKE SOMEBODY'S DAY. The possibilities are endless, here are a few ideas...Write a short note of encouragement, send a handwritten letter, send an email to old friend, call your Mom just to check in, go to a restaurant and pay somebody's bill, google an address from anywhere and anonymously send them some money and a note of encouragement, smile at a stranger, let somebody go ahead of you in line, tell somebody you appreciate them, compliment a co-worker, encourage a child, visit a nursing home, encourage a flustered parent, spend time with a child, send flowers, visit an elderly person, open a door, do more than you are asked at work, write to a prisoner, pray for somebody on death row, offer a prayer....
If you want your life to flood with passion and joy. Do this challenge. It doesn't take that much.
