Pause+Pray

A young woman once politely declined an invitation by saying she was “already spoken for.” We all are already spoken for, as God has claimed us as his own.

The sin of greed arises from the belief that God cannot be trusted to take care of my needs and so I horde and hide the essentials of daily living. Greed’s antidote is trust in God and charity toward others.

Many of those I love are far away. Our paths have led us to live apart—across borders, even oceans. When I sense this absence, my heart aches.

God sends us blessings throughout the day, though we don’t always recognize or appreciate them. In order to cultivate a gracious heart, let's first pray for openness.

Italians—and other southern Europeans—practice "the sweetness of doing nothing" with much of their lifestyle. They emphasize our God-given gift of rest.

After losing his family, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez could have become bitter and angry with God. Instead he became a Jesuit lay brother and served the community as a doorkeeper.