DAY by DAY with
JESUS k
A Stand-Up Calendar for Catholics Compiled by Jeanne Kun
THE WORD AMONG US PRESS
Copyright Š 2012 The Word Among Us Press 7115 Guilford Road Frederick, MD 21704 wau.org ISBN: 978-1-59325-133-8 Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America, copyright Š 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. Cover design by Faceout Studio Printed and bound in China
Introduction Just before Jesus ascended to his Father, he promised, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Although he no longer walks among us physically as he did in the days of his earthly life, Jesus nevertheless remains ever present to us. We hear Jesus speaking to us through the Bible. He comes to us in the Eucharist. We see him in the poor and needy. And he touches our hearts and our lives through the love and faith of those who follow him. Faith-filled men and women of every era of the Church’s history have been able to remain in Christ’s presence, and their wisdom, included in the following pages, can help us do the same. Day by Day with Jesus also features verses from the Bible,
including many of Jesus’ own words from the gospels. And since all the saints had a special love for the Eucharist, many of the quotations celebrate that great gift to us—“the most eloquent proof of his love and the most powerful means of fostering his love in us,” as St. Damien de Veuster once wrote. Whether you keep this perpetual calendar on your desk, in your kitchen, or at your bedside, it will inspire you to lift up your heart to Jesus in praise and thanksgiving for his great love for you. Each day may you turn to your constant companion, Jesus Christ, with confidence in his loving care and unfailing mercy. Jeanne Kun The Word Among Us Press
Mary, the Holy Mother of God [Jesus’] mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5
Jan uary 1
Saints Basil and Gregory Nazianzen [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15-16
Jan uary 2
Most Holy Name of Jesus When I invoke the name of Jesus, . . . I am drawn into his name, immersed in his name, immersed in him. . . . “Jesus”—the word is already a prayer. Catherine de Hueck Doherty
Jan uary 3
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton God is everywhere, in the very air I breathe, yes everywhere, but in his sacrament of the altar, he is as present actually and really as my soul within my body; in his sacrifice daily offered as really as once offered on the cross. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Jan uary 4
Saint John Neumann My soul, hold fast to Jesus. . . . All my comfort, all my joy must come from you. Bring me closer to you when temptations assail me. Help me not to fail. O Lord, my God, I cast myself entirely into your hands. St. John Neumann
Jan uary 5
Saint André Bessette The love which our Lord had during his passion puts into full light God’s love for us. St. André Bessette
Jan uary 6
Saint Raymond of Penyafort [Jesus said,] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.� John 15:1-2
Jan uary 7
We should listen to the gospels as though Christ were present and talking to us. St. Augustine
Jan uary 8
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. Ephesians 1:3-4
Jan uary 9
When we receive Holy Communion, we receive our joy and our happiness. St. John Vianney
Jan uary 10
In becoming flesh, the Son of God was manifested as light. He is not just an external light in the history of the world, but a light within the human person, in his personal history. He became one of us, giving infinite meaning and immortality to our earthly existence. Blessed John Paul II
Jan uary 11
Jesus has made himself the bread of life to give us life. Night and day he is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that adoration. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Jan uary 12
Saint Hilary Christ is the wellspring of our life. St. Hilary
Jan uary 13
It remains for us all, each in his own measure, to make known to those around us the mystery of our new life in Christ. St. Gregory the Great
Jan uary 1 4
[Jesus] said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.� Luke 9:23-24
Jan uary 15
The light of Christ is an endless day that knows no night. St. Maximus of Turin
Jan uary 16
Saint Anthony of Egypt If you wonder by what means you can most please God, the answer is: Celebrate the Eucharist. There is no prayer . . . that is comparable to the prayer and sacrifice of our Lord on the cross. Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan
Jan uary 17
Only in the heart of Jesus do we find the definitive support, deep strength, and total understanding of our soul and its needs that enable us to progress and advance towards him. Elizabeth Leseur
Jan uary 18
Our Redeemer, ever present in the most Blessed Sacrament, extends his hand to everyone. He opens his heart and says, “Come to me, all of you.� St. Raphael Kalinowski
Jan uary 19
Saint Fabian; Saint Sebastian [Jesus said,] “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.� Matthew 5:14, 16
Jan uary 20
Saint Agnes Christ has made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to him whom the angels serve. St. Agnes
Jan uary 2 1
Saint Vincent The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Jan uary 22
Did the Lord not offer his arms wide open to the nails of the cross so that no one might be excluded from his love? . . . The Lord Jesus suffered and died for all. In the name of his love, all, without exception, have a right to your love. Little Sister Magdeleine of Jesus
Jan uary 23
Saint Francis de Sales Let us all place ourselves before the Crucified and say to him: O splendid Sun of our hearts, you will revive us with the rays of your goodness. Here we are almost dead before you; we will not move from here until your heat brings us back to life. St. Francis de Sales
Jan uary 2 4
Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
Jan uary 25
Saints Timothy and Titus The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15
Jan uary 26
Saint Angela Merici Be sincerely kind to every one according to the words of our Lord: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart� (Matthew 11:29). St. Angela Merici
Jan uary 27
Saint Thomas Aquinas As in the life of the body, after a man is born and becomes strong, he requires food so that his life may be preserved and sustained, so also in the spiritual life, after being fortified, he requires spiritual food, which is Christ’s Body. St. Thomas Aquinas
Jan uary 2 8
[Jesus said,] “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
Jan uary 29
I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith. . . . Heart of Jesus, I love you, but increase my love. Heart of Jesus, I trust you, but give vigor to my confidence. Blessed Miguel Pro
Jan uary 30
Saint John Bosco Trust all things to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary Help of Christians, and you will see what miracles are. St. John Bosco
Jan uary 31