Prayer Journal 2015 by The Word Among Us

The Gift of

Eternal Life 2015 prayer journal

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Published by The Word Among Us Press 7115 Guilford Drive, Suite 100 Frederick, Maryland 21704 www.wau.org ISBN: 978-1-59325-255-7 © 2014 by The Word Among Us All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America, copyright © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. Scripture readings from the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar are adapted for use in the United States. Celebrations of solemnities, feasts, memorials, or other observances particular to your country, diocese, or parish may result in some variation. Compiled by Jeanne Kun Cover design by Andrea Rivas Front cover: Madeley Lake, Whistler, British Columbia Thinkstock Images No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. Printed in China

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Dear Friend in Christ,

here are you going? If you were traveling to your favorite vacation spot, you would have a ready answer. But what if you were asked that question in light of your Christian faith? Home—to heaven—is the only true answer you could give. Ever since Adam’s and Eve’s exile from the Garden of Eden, human beings have yearned to return to that blissful existence of union with God for which they were created. Reflecting this desire through the ages, heaven has been called “our fatherland,” “our true homeland,” and “our heart’s deepest longing.” As much as we love this earth—and rightly so, since it is God’s gift to us—we are homesick for heaven. So how do we keep our focus on heaven as we complete our journey on this earth? Daily prayer can keep us in touch with God and our desire to be with him always—both here in this life and in the life to come. The theme of this year’s prayer journal, “The Gift of Eternal Life,” will also help you focus your heart and mind on the joys that await you in heaven on that day when you behold our God face-to-face. Why keep a prayer journal? This simple practice will help you better grasp—and later recall—the insights that you experience in your encounters with the Lord during your times of prayer, meditation, and Scripture reading. Reading through your journal at the end of the month or year will bring fresh life to those encounters and remind you of how the Lord has worked in your life. Many saints, among them St. Faustina Kowalska, Blessed Frederick Ozanam, St. Bernadette, and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), recorded their reflections and resolutions in a daybook spiritual journal, retreat notebook, or diary.

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Indeed, Pope St. John XXIII began keeping a journal when he was barely fourteen years old, and he continued this practice until a few months before his death at the age of eighty-one! As is customary, this year’s Prayer Journal provides the Mass readings for each day of the year. In 2015 the Church is following Cycle B, with the Gospel readings for the Sundays in Ordinary Time taken from the Gospel of Mark. For weekdays, the Mass readings follow Year I. At the top of each page of the journal, you will find a short verse from Scripture or a quotation from a saint, an ancient or contemporary Christian writer, or a Church document. Most of these texts reflect the journal’s theme, while others correspond to the feast days of the saints, special holy days and seasons in the liturgical year, or the Scripture readings from the Mass of the day. You will also find, at the beginning of each month, a longer inspirational quote on the theme, “The Gift of Eternal Life.” You may want to reflect on this selection throughout the month, so that the hope of one day entering into the joys of heaven will take deep root in your heart. Our human existence is a journey toward heaven, a journey “back home.” As we progress, day by day, on our pilgrimage to eternity, let us foster within us the hope of heaven and the anticipation of its infinite joys. The Word Among Us Press

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Abbreviations of Books of the Bible Acts Acts of the Apostles Am Amos Bar Baruch 1 Chr 1 Chronicles 2 Chr 2 Chronicles Col Colossians 1 Cor 1 Corinthians 2 Cor 2 Corinthians Dn Daniel Dt Deuteronomy Eccl Ecclesiastes Eph Ephesians Est Esther Ex Exodus Ez Ezekiel Ezr Ezra Gal Galatians Gn Genesis Hb Habakkuk Heb Hebrews Hg Haggai Hos Hosea Is Isaiah Jas James

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Jb Job

Ob Obadiah

Jdt Judith

Phil Philippians

Jer Jeremiah

Phlm Philemon

Jgs Judges

Prv Proverbs

Jl Joel

Ps Psalms

Jn John

1 Pt 1 Peter

1 Jn 1 John

2 Pt 2 Peter

2 Jn 2 John

Rom Romans

3 Jn 3 John

Ru Ruth

Jon Jonah

Rv Revelation

Jos Joshua

Sg Song of Songs

Jude Jude

Sir Sirach

1 Kgs 1 Kings

1 Sm 1 Samuel

2 Kgs 2 Kings

2 Sm 2 Samuel

Lam Lamentations

Tb Tobit

Lk Luke

1 Thes 1 Thessalonians

Lv Leviticus Mal Malachi

2 Thes 2 Thessalonians

1 Mc 1 Maccabees

Ti Titus

2 Mc 2 Maccabees Mi Micah Mk Mark Mt Matthew

1 Tm 1 Timothy 2 Tm 2 Timothy Wis Wisdom Zec Zechariah Zep Zephaniah

Na Nahum Neh Nehemiah Nm Numbers

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Jan u ar y

2015 May

Sep t emb er

S M T W T F S

1 2 3

1 2

1 2 3 4 5

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

27 28 29 30

Fe br u ar y

J u ne

Oc t o b er

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

28 29 30

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

M arc h

J uly

Novemb er

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

26 27 28 29 30 31

29 30

A pr i l

Au g u s t

Dec emb er

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

26 27 28 29 30

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

27 28 29 30 31

30 31

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Jan u ar y

2016 May

S ep t emb er

S M T W T F S

1 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

29 30 31

25 26 27 28 29 30

Fe br u ar y

J une

Oc t o b er

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

28 29

26 27 28 29 30

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

M arc h

J u ly

Novemb er

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

27 28 29 30

A pr i l

Aug u s t

Dec emb er

S M T W T F S

1 2

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

28 29 30 31

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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January

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hat man, stationed in a foreign land, would not want to return to his own country as soon as possible? Well, we look upon paradise as our country, and a great crowd of our loved ones awaits us there. . . . What joy both for them and for us to see one another and embrace! . . . O the supreme and endless bliss of everlasting life! â&#x20AC;&#x201D;St. Cyprian

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Christ was born of a virgin and took his flesh from her, as was his will, in accord with the economy of salvation. . . . Thus, the virgin became the Mother of God. —St. Proclus of Constantinople

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen

Thursday

• Nm 6:22-27 • Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8 • Gal 4:4-7 • Lk 2:16-21

Holy Day of Obligation

• 1 Jn 2:22-28 • Ps 98:1-4 • Jn 1:19-28

Friday

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The Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: . . . man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. —St. Peter Chrysologus The Most Holy Name of Jesus • 1 Jn 2:29–3:6 • Ps 98:1, 3c-6 • Jn 1:29-34

Saturday

The Epiphany of the Lord • Is 60:1-6 • Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 • Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 • Mt 2:1-12

Sunday

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A man must always be ready, for death comes when and where God wills it. —St. John Neumann

Saint John Neumann

Saint André Bessette

• 1 Jn 3:22–4:6 • Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a • Mt 4:12-17, 23-25

Monday

Tuesday

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• 1 Jn 4:7-10 • Ps 72:1-4, 7-8 • Mk 6:34-44

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May God shelter you from disturbance in the hidden recesses of his love, until he brings you at last into that place of fullness where you will repose forever in the vision of peace. —St. Raymond of Penyafort Saint Raymond of Penyafort • 1 Jn 4:11-18 • Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13 • Mk 6:45-52

Wednesday

• 1 Jn 4:19–5:4 • Ps 72:1-2, 14-15, 17 • Lk 4:14-22a

Thursday

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For your faithful, Lord, life is changed, not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven. —Roman Missal, Preface of Christian Death I

• 1 Jn 5:5-13 • Ps 147:12-15, 19-20 • Lk 5:12-16

Friday

• 1 Jn 5:14-21 • Ps 149:1-6a, 9b • Jn 3:22-30

Saturday

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Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him. —St. Gregory Nazianzen The Baptism of the Lord • Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or 55:1-11 • Ps 29:1-4, 9-10 or Is 12:2-3, 4-6 • Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9 • Mk 1:7-11

• Heb 1:1-6 • Ps 97:1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9 • Mk 1:14-20

11 Sunday

Monday

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Christ is the wellspring of our life. —St. Hilary

Saint Hilary

• Heb 2:14-18 • Ps 105:1-4, 6-9 • Mk 1:29-39

Tuesday

• Heb 2:5-12 • Ps 8:2ab, 5-9 • Mk 1:21-28

Wednesday

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We have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. —Hebrews 3:14

• Heb 3:7-14 • Ps 95:6-11 • Mk 1:40-45

Thursday

• Heb 4:1-5, 11 • Ps 78:3-4, 6c-8 • Mk 2:1-12

16 Friday

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Earthly riches are like the reed. . . . Its exterior is fair to behold; but inside it is hollow. If a man leans on such a reed, it will snap off and pierce his soul. —St. Anthony

Saint Anthony

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday

Sunday

• Heb 4:12-16 • Ps 19:8-10, 15 • Mk 2:13-17

• 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19 • Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10 • 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20 • Jn 1:35-42

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Our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. —Philippians 3:20

• Heb 5:1-10 • Ps 110:1-4 • Mk 2:18-22

Monday

Saint Fabian; Saint Sebastian • Heb 6:10-20 • Ps 111:1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c • Mk 2:23-28

Tuesday

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Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation . . . and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect. —Pope Francis

Wednesday

Thursday

Saint Agnes • Heb 7:1-3, 15-17 • Ps 110:1-4 • Mk 3:1-6

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children • Heb 7:25–8:6 • Ps 40:7-10, 17 • Mk 3:7-12

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Resolve from now on to keep heaven before your mind, to be ready to forego everything that can hinder you or cause you to stray on your journey there. —St. Francis de Sales Saint Vincent; Saint Marianne Cope • Heb 8:6-13 • Ps 85:8, 10-14 • Mk 3:13-19

Saint Francis de Sales • Heb 9:2-3, 11-14 • Ps 47:2-3, 6-9 • Mk 3:20-21

23 Friday

Saturday

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Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called. —1 Timothy 6:12

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saints Timothy and Titus

Sunday

• Jon 3:1-5, 10 • Ps 25:4-9 • 1 Cor 7:29-31 • Mk 1:14-20

• 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5 • Ps 96:1-3, 7-8a, 10 • Mk 3:22-30

Monday

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The pleasant companionship of all the blessed in heaven will be a companionship replete with delight. For each one will rejoice in the happiness of others’ goods as well as their own. —St. Thomas Aquinas Saint Angela Merici • Heb 10:1-10 • Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8a, 10-11 • Mk 3:31-35

Saint Thomas Aquinas • Heb 10:11-18 • Ps 110:1-4 • Mk 4:1-20

Tuesday

Wednesday

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Looking at the heavenly homeland, we shall receive new light and fresh strength, both in our commitment and in our daily efforts. —Pope Francis

• Heb 10:19-25 • Ps 24:1-6 • Mk 4:21-25

Thursday

• Heb 10:32-39 • Ps 37:3-6, 23-24, 39-40 • Mk 4:26-34

Friday

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How beautiful heaven must be! Take heart! —St. John Bosco

Saint John Bosco • Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 • (Ps) Lk 1:69-75 • Mk 4:35-41

Saturday

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