Called by Name: 365 Daily Devotions for Catholic Women

By Ave Maria Press

Called by Name is a 365-day devotional from WINE: Women In the New Evangelization designed to empower and equip you to draw near to Jesus and use your God-given gifts for the Church. With meditations on scripture and encouraging insights from popular Catholic authors and speakers in the WINE community, this is the perfect daily companion for women who want to connect with the heart of Jesus and live every day in the light of his truth and love.

The Lord is calling you each day to be like him. Called by Name will help you respond to his call by encouraging, equipping, and inspiring you to enter into a more intimate relationship with him, all year long.

This daily devotional follows the liturgical seasons and includes major holidays and some feast days. You can begin your reading journey at any point in the year. As with all WINE offerings, you are invited to read, reflect, and respond using lectio divina. Each day includes

• a Bible verse or passage for meditation;
• daily reflections;
• a closing prayer to focus your heart on an important truth or goal; and
• a tangible action you can carry out each day, such as volunteering, going to Confession, or donating clothes to charity.

The more than eighty contributors to Called by Name include Kelly Wahlquist, Sarah Christmyer, Katie Warner, Caralyn Collar, Lisa Hendey, Sarah Damm, Sonja Corbitt, Teresa Tomeo, Stephanie Landsem, ValLimar Jansen, Kathleen Beckman, Maria Morera Johnson, and Lisa Mladinich.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press
• Release date: Apr 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781646800711

Book preview

Canada.

Introduction

Imagine the courage it took to brave the darkness before dawn and walk through an area that had been hostile territory just days before, a place where unruly mobs had jeered as an innocent man was led to his death. This was not a safe place to be. It was definitely not safe for a woman to be walking alone at this hour.

Yet one young woman, with a heart tumbling toward despair, dared to make this journey.

The message of love that she and her friends had dedicated their lives to had been rejected. Scenes of hope and celebration just days earlier had given way to hostility and fear. Disheartened, she desperately searched for that which had been taken from her.

It was in that hour, as the sun began to break through the darkness of night, that a man suddenly appeared beside her. The young woman was not afraid. Her quest overcame all fear.

Why are you weeping? the man asked.

She responded, not by answering his question, but by begging him to take her to the One she had set her hopes on.

What happened next changed her forever. One moment instantly turned her anguish to joy, her despair to happiness—she was called by name.

The man said to her, Mary.

Turning her head, she suddenly recognized Him—not a gardener, but the One she thought had been lost forever. And she cried out to Him in Hebrew, Rab-bóni!—that is, teacher (Jn 20:16).

The moment Mary Magdalene heard the risen Lord call her name, her despair dissolved. Her heart leapt with joy. The Good Shepherd had called her as one of His own, and she was eager to follow Him.

An Intimate Relationship

There is a feeling of comfort that stirs inside you when you hear another call you by your name. A tug on your heart when someone you love says your name tenderly. To be called by name indicates that you are known in a personal way. Hearing your name makes you take notice and lets you know that something important is about to be communicated—especially when you hear your first name followed by your middle name. Yikes! Many are the times my parents would grab my attention by using the name (both names) they gave me. Kelly Marie, your dirty socks do not belong on my dining room table!

So important is being called by name that it is a vital step in how we enter into that most intimate of relationships, our relationship with God. At baptism, we are literally called by name: Kelly Marie, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Aha! We are called by our first and middle names—something important is about to happen!) It is important indeed, for through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission (CCC 1213).

Whether it is a friend calling you by your first name or a parent stringing together your first, middle, and (heaven forbid) last names, being called by name signifies an intimate relationship. That is what the Lord desires to have with you—a personal and intimate relationship. A relationship where you belong entirely to Him.

The Sound of His Voice

The Lord is yearning for a deep relationship with you. He has called you His beloved and longs for you to hear and know His voice. The best way to know His voice is to spend time with Him, listening to Him.

In this daily devotional, we have compiled reflections for each day of the year (leap year included) from eighty beautiful contributors to WINE: Women In the New Evangelization who have spent time listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd.

To help you sit quietly with the Lord and listen to His voice, we have divided each daily devotion into three aspects: read, reflect, and respond.

Read the scripture passage provided: the Lord speaking to you.

As with all WINE offerings, we encourage you to pray the scriptures through lectio divina—an ancient form of slowly, meditatively, and prayerfully reading sacred scripture. Although we include the verse at the beginning of the devotional, I encourage you to read this devotional with your Bible in hand so you can explore the context more fully. Additionally, you can record what the Lord is saying to you in a journal, such as the WINE journal designed to accompany this devotional. (For more information on the WINE journal, visit CatholicVineyard.com.)

Reflect on the words of your sisters in Christ.

We are not alone on this journey; we have each other to support, nurture, and encourage us! So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever relaxes you, and sit down each day with one of your sisters at WINE as she shares a reflection with you, designed to help you open your heart to hear God’s voice.

Respond to His call.

In scripture, when the Lord calls someone by name for an important mission, that person responds. The same holds true for us. The Lord is calling us each day to be like Him. If we are to be women in the New Evangelization, we need to respond to the call to be like Him.

An Invitation

My dear sister in Christ, in calling you by name, our Lord invites you into a deeper, more loving relationship with Him. So, what are you waiting for? Dive right in! You need not wait until January 1 to enter into that divine intimacy for which you were created. Begin today!

May the Holy Spirit give you the courage and perseverance to spend time with the Lord each day so that you will come to recognize His voice—and upon hearing Him call your name, may your heart be filled with joy as you respond, Rab-bóni!

Kelly M. Wahlquist

Founder of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization

January 1

The First Day of the Year

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:34–35

The deep significance of this, the first day of the year, is lost for most of the Christian world. This day marks when the eight-day-old Jesus received the Jewish covenant of circumcision, and His name Yeshua (Hebrew for God saves) was proclaimed for the first time.

The Brit Milah (covenant of circumcision) is a great celebratory event for a Jewish family, and Mary had certainly witnessed it before. But the mother of our God knew what the mohel did not. Her baby was born to rescue and deliver. He was the Messiah. In Mary’s heart, this was the most solemn event. Jesus’ circumcision began the trail of His shed blood. It would traverse thirty-three years to a hill in Jerusalem five miles from the place of His birth—and to all eternity.

Mary was always there for Him. From conception to the Cross, she stayed with Him, praying until the end. It is no wonder we pray for ourselves, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. She stayed faithfully with her Son through the hours of His (and her) agony until His expiring breath.

As we observe New Year’s Day, let us remember that the first day of the year marks the first time the Savior of mankind shed His blood for humanity. On the calendar day of Jesus’ circumcision, we also remember the solemnity of His mother, whose pure and holy heart was being pierced by a sword.

Prayer: O God, King of the universe, who became flesh for me that I might participate in Your divinity, help me, in the coming year, to know You more fully and love You more deeply. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Today, slowly pray the Hail Mary, pondering each word.

Deborah Kendrick

January 2

The Voice of My Beloved

My beloved speaks and says to me: Arise, my love, my dove, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2:10

Can you imagine the King of heaven and earth not only noticing you but also speaking tender words of invitation? I see your heart, my fair one. I see your pain and joys. In this season of new beginnings, remember that with each breath you are given a chance to start anew—an opportunity to love more, pray longer, and come closer to My heart.

Maybe your resolutions tend to come and go. Perhaps this year it is time to move past making resolutions and, instead, commit to a relationship. There is someone out there to whom you belong; He yearns for you, His beloved. Will you keep Him waiting, or will you quench His thirst? Do not be afraid; your Lover is gentle.

If you find yourself burdened by your past mistakes or overcome by your present choices, allow Him into your life. Turn away from sin; look toward the eyes of your Savior. There is nothing you’ve done that He doesn’t already know; His mercy is greater than your guilt. You are always His.

If you think a relationship with the King of heaven and earth is unattainable, remember this: our King humbled Himself and became one of us so we would realize how available and selfless His love really is.

He wants your heart—not just a part of it but your whole heart. Why do you resist? Fix your eyes on Him and allow yourself to be overcome by His goodness and love. Hear His voice calling to you. Will you respond to His invitation? Dear sister, I am praying that, bold in the Holy Spirit, you accept the grace to say yes.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, be with me. Shower me with grace and shine on me the light I need to follow Jesus the Bridegroom wherever He leads. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Make a good Confession. Prepare by thoroughly reviewing your conscience, and go early to the appointed time at your parish. After receiving the sacrament, offer a special prayer of thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit for leading you to the arms of Jesus in the Church, His Mystical Body.

Angela Koenig

January 3

Supercop No More

If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:47

I’m the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter. When people ask why I didn’t have children, I laugh and say that that line of hyper-responsible, hypervigilant women had to end. (I’m not entirely joking!)

Regardless of your birth order, you may have some of that gene. You know, the one that tells you there’s one right way to fold towels and sheets, drive, wrap a present, or dress—and woe to those who don’t agree with it. The problem with all that private and sometimes not-so-private condemnation is that when your expectations are that exact, you, those you love, and the world will never live up to them.

What’s the point in even trying to please God then? If we can’t live up to our own standards, how could we possibly meet His? It’s all grace. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers us not only freedom from our failures but also healing from our sin and the hope of eternal life.

Yet, Jesus doesn’t condemn those who choose not to follow His words. Imagine that! It takes away any power we’ve given ourselves to condemn. That means no snarky comment about the person with twenty items in the clearly marked ten-items-or-fewer lane at the grocery store or silent seething about the parent who doesn’t take the crying toddler out of the sanctuary during Mass.

Jesus sets the perfect example: love, welcome, and accept people as He does. Offer the invitation to the Word, and leave the judging to the Father on the last day. Until then, do what Jesus did: provide gentle correction when the Spirit directs, and distance yourself from those who threaten your salvation—without condemning them.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for loving me just as I am. Teach me to be patient with myself and others. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Today, look for opportunities to be charitable. Before you judge someone, say a little prayer for them.

Melanie Rigne

January 4

Our Daily Cross

And he said to all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

How beautiful to see our struggles as an opportunity to rely on God. John, the beloved disciple, wrote, So we know and believe the love God has for us (1 Jn 4:16). That simple affirmation of faith, coupled with my belief that God orders all for my good, never fails to bring me comfort. These truths relate to both the situation I can see as good and those circumstances where the goodness isn’t quite so obvious.

In St. Luke’s gospel, Christ tells us if we want to follow Him, we must pick up our cross daily. I’ve often found it funny that Luke, the physician, includes the word daily. St. Matthew also shares Jesus’ words of wisdom but leaves out the daily aspect. It reminds me of the adage An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Perhaps St. Luke is trying to teach us that carrying our cross each day will keep evil at bay.

Every morning I need to renew my decision to follow Christ and then ask for His help to persevere with my diet, budget, and path to holiness. I can do all things in him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). That’s the secret—in Christ. The strength comes from Him, and He’s always ready to give. But I keep taking it back, thinking I can do it all, maybe afraid to use up all my prayers, like a genie lamp.

Struggles come and go. As long as we are breathing, we’ll have them—be it our health, holiness, or family’s financial well-being. The flesh is indeed weak, but God is strong: For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:10). St. Paul wisely reminds us that Jesus’ grace is enough.

Prayer: Lord, whether my cross be heavy or light, may I always yoke myself to You in carrying it. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Make a list of your crosses and contemplate how Jesus is trying to help you carry them.

Allison Gingras

January 5

Following Yonder Star

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise Men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:1–2

I recently left my job in the Air Force after ten years of service and the arrival of our second child. Sometimes, Jesus asks us to take a great leap of faith and follow Him. I couldn’t see the whole road map. Jesus gave just enough to illuminate the next step. It seemed God sent me full speed in one direction only to apply the brakes. The whiplash was stunning.

Imagine how stunning it was to the Magi when, after following a sign in the sky, the brightest star, they arrived at a stable. Faith is mysterious, sometimes sending us on strange paths. Were the Magi surprised when they came to such a humble shelter? Places of greatness may have a very ordinary appearance. Jesus’ call may seem ordinary, but He calls us to a new way of life, which will take us on an extraordinary journey. He calls us to follow the Magi’s footsteps to an even deeper relationship with Himself, a call that leads to a place of adoration.

Although the Magi brought gifts, the gifts they received were far more magnificent. My trust in God to leave the military was rewarded, but in a very unexpected way. Had I not left my job, I could not have been with my husband when he needed an emergency surgery. Following the star of God’s inspiration sent me to a place wholly unknown, yet in the midst of suffering I received gifts, even profound peace.

Not all of us are called to quit our jobs, but everyone is on a journey of conversion to find true peace. Like the Magi, we must follow yonder star to offer our humble treasure to Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, may I recognize the guiding stars in my life. Inspire my heart to remain faithful to following them. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Spend time today with the scriptures. Let the Holy Spirit guide your reading.

Katie Lee Taylor

January 6

Odd Gifts for a Newborn

They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the

Lord

. Isaiah 60:6

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the Magi visiting the Christ child and bringing Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Upon hearing this, one has to think, Odd gifts for a newborn.

I once saw a plaque that said if the three wise men had been wise women, they would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts. Although the plaque was humorous (and probably true on many points), the Magi’s gifts were actually perfect for the newborn Jesus. These gifts fulfilled several key Old Testament prophecies (see Nm 24:17; Ps 72:10–11; Is 60:6).

Frankincense was used to make incense, myrrh was used to prepare the bodies of the dead for burial, and gold was the sign of the wealth of a king. As the baby who received these gifts was God Incarnate, they were perfect. Frankincense represents the prayers made to Him, myrrh points to the salvation He won for us on the Cross, and gold reminds us that this helpless newborn was the King of kings.

During the Epiphany, Christ appeared as God-with-us to the Magi. Today, He appears to us, too. And like the Magi, we can give Him our gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Perhaps our gold is the relationships we hold dear, the activities that bring us the greatest joy, the things we love most—all offered freely to our God. Our frankincense may be the prayers of praise and adoration that we lay before Him. And our myrrh may be our sufferings, the many deaths to self that we must face on this journey. We can bring all these gifts to the altar as we go forward to receive the greatest gift of all—the source and summit of our faith, the Eucharist.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gifts that You have given me. Help me to use these gifts to build up Your kingdom on earth. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Give someone the gift of your presence today. Make a point to be attentive to them.

Kelly M. Wahlquis

January 7

The Power to Heal

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

When I was a struggling actress on the fringes of the industry, I had an opportunity to create a one-woman act for a performance-art venue. The act, which was well received, was about a creature that survived by feeding on the fruit of human emotions. This creature lamented the ready availability of toxic emotional fruit like self-pity, resentment, hopelessness, and rage, and wished for the day when she might feast on forgiveness, mercy, and hope.

The inspiration for this act came from my longing to bring healing to people. When Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach salvation to every creature, He also said, They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mk 16:18). As an actress, I’d become especially aware of how desperately people need healing. I used to spend hours people-watching in New York, especially on the subways. Everywhere I looked I saw people who seemed alienated, heartache and loneliness etched into their faces. How I wished to lift their burdens with an act of my will, healing their broken hearts. I liked to imagine their looks of surprise and delight, their eyes sparkling at the miracle of renewed hope.

Today, I teach classes on authentic beauty for teenage girls—and it is so rewarding to see them experience healing from their fears, resentments, and anger. They come to recognize the stunning dignity of the feminine genius—that they are receptive, sensitive, generous, and maternal. And as they heal, they see the healing potential of their own lives.

We are called as the Father’s daughters to receive people where we find them, being sensitive to their condition, generous in our response, and maternal in sharing our wisdom. We are to bring healing to the people God places in our path each day—one moment, one act of kindness at a time.

Prayer: Lord, help me to love everyone You place along my path each day—extending one act of kindness at a time. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Today, consider what gifts you have to offer others.

Lisa Mladinich

January 8

Perfect Love

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18

One night I lay in bed, unable to sleep. I was overcome with anger at someone who had broken my heart. And now, I was facing a ruined relationship and financial devastation. I had no idea what to do or which way to turn. I knew that such consuming anger and fear were not from God, but I felt powerless to control my emotions. I cried and begged God to help me. Then a gentle, steady voice spoke in my heart: Ask Me for My perfect love. I blinked. What? Ask Me for My perfect love. I was stunned. What does that mean? I asked.

Look, Lord, sure, I want Your perfect love, but I have this problem, and I need help. I waited and prayed for help, but nothing else came to me. Fine, I said, exasperated. Give me Your perfect love. Heaving a sigh, I prayed again. Really, Lord, give me Your perfect love.

I don’t know how many times I repeated that prayer that night, but I suddenly realized that I had stopped shaking. My fear and anger were gone. You’d think I’d feel relieved . . . but I panicked and tried to pull those feelings back up. Somehow, I thought the negativity was necessary to deal with the problems I faced. But despite my best efforts, the fear and anger weren’t there anymore. The severity of the situation hadn’t changed, but now it no longer crushed me. Before long, I fell asleep.

In the morning, I awoke refreshed, rested, and curious. Why did that prayer work? I asked God. In reply, a scripture verse floated gently into my head: Perfect love casts out fear. Today, I use that prayer in every difficult situation—from finances to health to relationships—it’s positively miraculous!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, restore my trust in You. Give me Your perfect love, that I may see all things in its light. Amen.

Respond to His Call: If anything, or anyone, is causing you to doubt the faithfulness of God, give the Lord permission to take your perspective and to replace it with His.

Lynne Keating

January 9

Five Smooth Stones

And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone, and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. . . . So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone. 1 Samuel 17:49–50

In scripture we encounter people with some crazy ideas. Take the story of David and Goliath. What was that crazy kid thinking? None of the Israelite warriors were brave enough to face the giant—but David picked five smooth stones, hurled one with his sling, and the giant fell.

I heard a possible meaning for the five smooth stones. Four of the stones represented courage, confidence, preparation, and trust. The fifth stone, which he used to slay the giant, signified faith. What excellent tools for battle. David put the stones in his shepherd’s bag. We could use our purses, briefcases, or diaper bags—or throw them in the passenger seat of the car!

Who are the Davids today, and what Goliath are they going after? We could start with the Goliath of woundedness. The world is bruised, individuals are aching, and the Church has scars. It doesn’t seem there is a way to tackle it all. But we don’t need to. We just need to begin.

I think women in the New Evangelization are Davids. The WINE website reads, For such a time as this, the Lord is calling to women, asking us to work in the beauty of our natural gifts as women, and is saying to us, ‘Heal my body.’ This David and Goliath business is serious. Let’s choose the five smooth stones of courage, confidence, preparation, trust, and faith, and carry them in a satchel marked Mercy!

Prayer: Lord, equip me for battle with courage, confidence, preparation, trust, and faith. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Today, collect five smooth stones. Put them together in a vase to hold flowers for a centerpiece for a table, or perhaps heat them and use them as hand warmers in the cold. Whatever you do with those stones, let them be daily inspirations to take small steps of faithfulness toward whatever battles you’re facing.

Alyssa Bormes

January 10

Remodels Are Not for Wimps

Jesus answered him, If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

I love makeover shows featuring experts who take old, dilapidated homes and turn them into warm, comfy living spaces. Maybe some of the appeal is that these shows parallel my own work. As a life coach, I love to inspire and guide others to open the closets and sort through the mess of their emotional and spiritual lives, decluttering and bringing beauty into those interior spaces. It can be painful. Some people resist the change. Some make progress, only to sneak old habits back in.

Do you know why it’s so difficult to let go of clutter? We fear that we will never have enough and so we hoard what we think will keep us in control. What tremendous energy we spend purchasing, storing, managing, and maintaining it all—only to worry about theft, floods, fires, or a breakup. The same holds true with relationships. How exhausting to be overly involved, micromanaging, and fighting fears of failure, rejection, and abandonment!

God is a master remodeler. He wants to restructure and beautify our interior lives, working with our natural desires to bring order from chaos and holiness from selfishness.

So, ready for a makeover? Make an honest assessment of your life. Open every door to every room, and invite the Lord in. Tell Him your desires, hopes, and greatest fears. Allow Him to draw you into Himself, making you new and beautiful.

Once you open all the doors, our Lord will take over and make His dwelling place in every area of your life.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to hold the goods of the world and all my relationships in right order. Fill me with more of You so I need less of everything else. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Spiritual and emotional decluttering is not for the faint of heart. Today, do some research into finding a trustworthy and qualified coach to help you.

Rose Sweet

January 11

The Saving Love of a Father

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:26–27

A missionary from Ghana came to speak at our high school. When he started giving his witness—sharing the powerful story of his conversion from a tribal religion to Christianity—you could’ve heard a pin drop! This priest was the firstborn son to his mother and father. He was only a few years old when he became deathly ill. His father, a tribal chief, brought in medicine man after medicine man to heal his son, to no avail. The little boy was getting sicker and sicker.

The chief heard of a Catholic missionary priest nearby. Terrified that his son would die, the chief called on him, asking, What can you do for my son? Nothing will help him! The priest responded, I can baptize him in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The chief asked, What will that do? The priest said, Your son will become a child of God. If he dies, he will be with the God of love forever. Without hesitation, the chief said, Do it! So the priest baptized the child. Two days later, the chief’s son was healthy again! The chief called the priest back and said, None of my medicine men could heal my child, but your God healed him. I want you to raise him with the love of your God.

So, the firstborn son was given to the priest’s order for instruction. He studied with them, went to seminary, became a priest, and eventually was given the title Monsignor. The little boy saved through baptism would lead the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the country of Ghana.

Prayer: Dear Lord, how grateful I am for the plans You have for me. Give me peace about whatever lies ahead. Help me to know that You are a gracious Father who works all things together for the good of those who love You. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Put the word celebrate in big letters on your calendar on the day you were baptized. When that day comes, give thanks to the Lord, and rejoice!

Patti Jannuzzi

January 12

When God Uses Hard Things in His Good Plan

I do not know how you came into being in my womb. It was not I who gave you life and breath, nor I who set in order the elements within each of you. 2 Maccabees 7:22

I lay quietly, waiting to see my baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound screen. The technician, very compassionately and professionally, informed me that there was not one heartbeat but two. Confused, I wondered, How could my baby’s heart have two heartbeats? But of course, I was carrying twins—a boy and a girl, we eventually learned.

On the day of their birth, I had to have an unplanned cesarean. I was being invited to surrender and trust in a new and deeper way, and all I could do was pray—Hail Mary, full of grace. As Mary trusted God with her Son, I had to trust Him with my twins. From Jesus’ birth to His death and resurrection, what Mary experienced called for complete surrender. Having twins—and bringing them into the world in such a dramatic way—was not part of my plan and required tremendous levels of surrender!

On the day my twins were born—probably the hardest day of my life—I learned to trust and believe. And isn’t that how God works? He brings us through the hardest thing—the thing we don’t think we have the strength to do—and transforms it with His grace into something incredibly good. My twins are two of the best things that have ever happened to me. Sure, the early days of their life were a blur, fueled only by coffee and grace. But I am so blessed to be their mom! They are a constant reminder of God’s beautiful (and often mysterious) way of bringing us into His divine plan.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the gift of children. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Today, while going to work, running errands, or making a meal, make a point to talk with Mary. Ask her to help you surrender to God’s plan for your life.

Sarah Damm

January 13

The Art of Complaining

Why do you stand afar off, O

Lord

? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1

One of the beautiful things about the Psalms is that they teach us there is a godly way to complain. There is no cardboard piety in the Psalms. In these prayers of Israel, God teaches us to express every emotion to Him with complete honesty, whether it be fear, anguish, confusion, discouragement, rage, grief, joy, or hope. The Psalmist tells it like it is.

In the book of Exodus, on the other hand, the Israelites were punished for their complaining, their murmuring against the Lord and against Moses any time they were in danger or didn’t get their needs met immediately (Ex 16:2–8, 17:3).

What’s the difference? What makes one kind of complaining godly and the other ungodly?

First, there is a certain bitterness in the complaining of the exodus generation. You can hear their sarcasm: Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? (Ex 14:11). The Psalmist, on the other hand, sometimes expresses perplexity at the Lord’s slowness to act but never bitterness.

Second, the exodus generation complained behind God’s back, so to speak. Instead of crying out directly to God, they grumbled among themselves, like a group of disgruntled employees griping about the boss. But the Psalmist always directly addresses God Himself, reflecting his abiding relationship of love and trust with the Lord. That relationship is deeper than any of the ups and downs of life.

Finally, the Psalmist doesn’t end with complaints, but always moves toward an expression of trust in God. Often he even thanks and praises the Lord beforehand for the saving deeds that He will accomplish.

Prayer: O Lord, thank You for receiving me with loving arms no matter what my emotional state. Help me turn my complaining into songs of praise, and my mourning into joy. Amen.

Respond to His Call: The next time you’re tempted to complain, follow the example of the Psalms and engage in some godly complaining!

Dr. Mary Healy

January 14

Keep It Simple

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

The Gospel is a simple message at its core. But I have a knack for complicating things when I’m faced with difficulties. Maybe that’s why I treasure my visits to the adoration chapel. Everything appears so much simpler when I walk into the chapel each week and gaze on our Lord.

In the face of life’s complications, we need only turn to the One who can bring light and clarity to a muddled heart. If we were more aware of how each moment of our day comes from God’s hand, we would more easily focus our attention back on Jesus, who alone can solve all maladies and misfires. And it doesn’t need to be a difficult task.

An acronym my high school math teacher taught me comes to mind—KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly). That’s a great lesson. And isn’t there something sweet about the word kiss? Mother Teresa once said, Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus—a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.

Above the monstrance at our church’s small adoration chapel, a crucifix hangs. In that simple image, life’s complications disappear, returning me to our Lord’s beautiful essence. In that chapel I come as close as possible, this side of heaven, to feeling true peace. In His presence, I thank Jesus for His kiss of life, asking that it penetrate my being and equip me to bring His simple, pure love into the world. Do you have any special ways of turning your focus on Jesus, dissolving complications in the simplicity of His presence and love?

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your loving gaze upon me during eucharistic adoration—and I thought it was me coming to gaze upon You! Amen.

Respond to His Call: When you feel alone or abandoned, cry out, Jesus where are you? and picture Jesus before you saying, I am here, my child, carrying you.

Roxane B. Salonen

January 15

Thrift Shop Therapy

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

I shop at thrift stores. I can’t pass up a good bargain, and thrift stores are full of them. I also like to support a good cause, and many thrift stores are run by charity or service organizations, so we’re helping others by shopping there.

But for me, thrift shopping is downright therapeutic. All of those other benefits—saving money, helping others, and so on—are just icing on the cake. It helps me relax, slow down, and think. I head to the thrift stores when I’m exasperated and need to work something out or make a difficult decision. Sorting through all of the merchandise is like an in-between state, not quite here and not quite there. It gives me mental space and lets me push the pause button on my life until I get a grip.

It’s not all that uncommon for me to pray while thrift shopping. When I’m having trouble expressing myself, I mentally chant the Hail Mary. It acts like a mantra that calms me down and gets me to refocus. I used to feel guilty about using thrift shopping to work things out rather than praying before the Eucharist. Oh, I still go to adoration, and I love it. But when I’m before the monstrance, I’m there entirely for Him. When I’m thrift shopping, I’m there entirely for me. Once I realized both activities fulfill things I crave and need, I stopped feeling guilty.

I’d like to think that St. Paul would understand my thrift shopping therapy—after all, he prayed that God would give us peace at all times and in all ways. We shouldn’t underestimate those little things that bring us some measure of clarity, rest, and peace. God’s grace comes to us in many ways!

Prayer: Lord, help me see the graces You offer in the little, mundane moments of life. Thank You for making Your presence and blessings available to me. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Today, identify a unique activity or place where you experience God’s presence—and thank Him for meeting you there.

Marge Steinhage Fenelon

January 16

Hoping in His Plan

For I know the plans I have for you, says the

Lord

, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:11–12

I once heard the saying, If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Living a life of faith is an adventure! God is always working through each situation He brings. If we’re in a difficult struggle, knowing that God in His wisdom has allowed the struggle makes all the difference. With eyes of faith, we can see our trials within the context of His plan—and we can trust that He will equip us with His strength.

Know that God’s plan for your life is perfect, even if it involves pain. Rely on His strength to carry you and His love to comfort you. God wants to use the crosses that He allows you to carry to fit you for the tasks that He calls you to do.

Jesus doesn’t call us to anything He wasn’t willing to do Himself. He also shows us that He doesn’t expect us to suffer alone. Staggering under the burden of the Cross, He received help from Simon of Cyrene. And earlier, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked His disciples to stay awake with Him for one hour as He cried to God in agony. But ultimately, as the book of Hebrews tells us, Jesus endured the Cross because of the joy set before Him (12:2).

That same joy is set before us, too. Our pain isn’t beyond the goodness of God’s plan—in fact, it may be instrumental in transforming us into the image of Christ.

St. John Vianney said, If we do not carry our crosses with joy, then they will be of no use to us. Do you trust that your pain is truly a step in God’s good plan for your life? Can you carry your cross with joy?

Prayer: Lord, I wish to carry my crosses with joy so that they will be of use, always bringing me closer to You. Amen.

Respond to His Call: Help someone carry their cross today. Your act of service and kindness may bring great comfort to another.

Kathleen Billings

January 17

A Tale of Two Tonys

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground. Psalm 107:32–33

If you’re feeling spiritually lost, bring your search to St. Anthony on his feast today. Never mind that Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost things, has a feast day in June—today’s Anthony the Abbot will help you find just what you need! The dynamic duo of Tonys exemplifies the beauty of both solitude and service.

An unfortunate workweek led me to