Week 5, Day 4
Daily Prayer
Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea)
Hail, bright star of ocean,
God’s own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva’s name.
Break the captives’ fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus,
Joy forevermore.
Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
Jesus, Eternal Wisdom of the Father
Scripture Reading from Revelation 12:10-14 – The evil one has been defeated by the blood of the lamb
Witness to Hope
We are the witnesses to hope in this world. We may be the only “Gospel” that anyone will ever read. St. Teresa of Avila said, “Christ has no body now but yours.” This is true, we are the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth: It is our responsibility to serve not only the physical needs of people, but their spiritual needs as well. Every person we come into contact with could be looking to us for hope. Our hope is in Christ; how well do our actions and our lives show that hope?
What are some things we can do to show our hope in the Lord? Daily prayers, treating others with respect, attending Mass regularly, our priorities in life (God first, spouse second, children third, then all others).
Mary is the ultimate witness to hope. Even when she was faced with profound suffering in her life, she still had hope in the Lord, and surrendered her only son and all of her life to His service. She knew that God was faithful and that He would not betray her trust. We too should keep our eyes fixed on Heaven, on God’s promise of eternal life. It is keeping our focus on eternal things that will help us through this valley of tears. This life on earth is short, but it is our training ground for eternity; it is our opportunity to choose to love God first and to help others to do the same. Our witness to hope may help someone else have stronger faith and hope in God, or it may help someone who has no hope to find the Lord for the first time.
Daily Pious Practice Reminder
- Visit Christ in the Blessed Sacrament once per day.
Closing Prayer
Father, source of all goodness, the beginning and end of all things, you have given us the Virgin Mary as a star to guide us on our way to you. Make our hearts burn with love for you. Help us to love you more and more. Give us the strength to be witnesses, friends of Christ, and to continue along our way, strong in hope. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Pope Saint John Paul II
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