Day 8- What's Easier to Fix, Body or Heart?

God is a Healer, and He cares about every kind of injury or
illness. He’s capable of healing any of them, but He’s
especially concerned about your spiritual injuries– sin– which stand between you and Him. These He promises to heal and cleanse absolutely when you ask Him to. You can trust
that His forgiveness makes you totally acceptable to Him.¹

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set (him) in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, "As for you, your sins are forgiven." Then the scribes and
Pharisees began to ask themselves, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?" Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, "What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins'' -he said to the man who was
paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, "We have seen incredible things today." -Luke 5:17-26

Jesus cares about our illness and injuries at every level. The spiritual wounds of sin that keep us from God. The physical maladies, which He sometimes heals, sometimes, in His wisdom, leaves alone. And the emotional wounds of abandonment, abuse, loss and more– which can hinder spiritual growth because they’re closely tied to our ability to trust God, value ourselves and make friendships.

Billy Buchanan of the Christian rock group Fusebox discovered God’s multifaceted healing touch. Here’s his story:

I watched from across the room as two of my guitar techs worked diligently to set up for my band’s show. I’d noticed for a while that there was something different about the two guys. They seemed happier that most of the people I hung around, more at peace.

I wanted to know why.

When I had a chance, I decided to ask them.

“Why don’t you guys party with us? I asked. “How come you aren’t interested in drinking and all the stuff the rest of us are into?”

One of the techs, Chris, looked me square in the eye.

“May, God don’t like it.”

His answer stunned me. I’d expect a lot of things, but not to hear they were Christians. Now that he’d told me, it made sense. His statement reminded me there was a God out there I needed to serve, a God I’d grown up knowing but had quickly forgotten about.

Family Dysfunction
Life wasn’t easy growing up. Many of my childhood memories involve abuse. I grew up in a dysfunctional home where music was my only escape.

My parents got married when they were young– my mom at seventeen, right after she graduated high school, and my father was only a year older. At eighteen, my mom gave birth to my brother, and I was born a year after that. By the time my mom was twenty-one, she had three kids.

My dad never really settled into the whole husband/daddy thing. I don’t ever remember a time when he was content being a father or husband. He got into drugs and womanizing and all that stuff. That’s how my dad was when I was growing up– it was all I knew.

My mom tolerated it for a while. When I was around ten, she got tired of being beat up all the time. She decided to leave my dad, and my parents got divorced.

Through all of that, my mom took us to church. I knew about the Lord. I knew about Jesus and what He did for me. But I didn’t trust God very much, to be honest. The Bible told me that God loved and cared about me. But I questioned, if He did, then why did he allow my family to go through so much?

Rock-and-Roll Dreams
By the time I got out of high school, I was really into music. I had made up my mind to be a rock star. As soon as I graduated, I went to school in Cleveland, but then I dropped out and moved to Atlanta. While I went to school down there, I joined a band called Skindeep.

Within a couple of years, we were the biggest band on the

Atlanta scene. We got really popular, really fast. By the time I was nineteen or twenty years old, we were playing for some really big crowds, opening up for acts like Alice in Chains, K.C. & the Sunshine Band, and Chaka Khan. I was living out my little rock-and-roll dream.

It’s weird because my mom used to call me all the time and say, “Billy, are you going to church?” and I would just blatantly tell her that I wasn’t interested. I was real anti-God at that point. I just didn’t want anything to do with Him.

But the conversation with the guitar tech had reminded me of the God my mother loved. The thoughts nagged at me, but I shoved them to the back of my mind. I was in a successful band. I couldn’t let God destroy my dreams.

Empty and Tired
One night after a really big show of two or three thousand people, I came off the stage really empty and really tired of what I was doing. I came home and say in my living room. I couldn’t sleep and just stayed there until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, trying to figure out what was wrong with me.

I looked over at my bookshelf and way the Bible. I knew that the answers were in that book. I opened it up. I can’t remember exactly what I read, but I think it was in the book of John. Right then and there by myself, I got on my knees and said, “God do something with me. I know I’m not being the guy that my mom raised me to be.”

I woke up the next day and everything was different.

God’s creation was more alive. I paid attention to the birds and the sky and the trees. It did take a lot of years for God to clean the junk that I was into out of my life. But life hasn’t been the same since, that’s for sure.

All My Baggage
I stayed in that band for probably another year or two after that experience. But when I started writing Christian songs, the band broke up. The songs started becoming more about my faith, and the guys in the band were like, “We don’t want to get into this.”

I got out of the band and took a year and a half off to rethink things. In that time, I became involved at a church and joined the worship team. I tried to get my head together and decide what God wanted to do with this talent He’d given me.

God’s done a total transformation on me. I had the filthiest mouth of anyone you’d ever meet. I drank. I was with a lot of women. I did all of those things. When I became a Christian, all my friends told me, “Come as you are and God will change you, but doing think you have to change to come back to God.” I came with all my baggage.

I look back and really wish I hadn’t gotten into this or that. I’m married now. I wish I would have waited to have sex. But I didn’t. With any sin, you’re going to reap what you sow. No matter what you were into before you were a Christian, there are definitely going to be consequences and results from that. But God is good, and his grace is sufficient. I know I don’t have a dwell on any of those things anymore.^{2, 3}

Reflection Questions:⁴
When we hurt, it can be hard to believe God cares. He does. Try to hang onto His compassion as you work through these questions. ⁵

1. Do you have trouble believing in God’s complete forgiveness and acceptance of you? Why?

2. Have you been to the Sacrament of Reconciliation recently to be forgiven by God? And have you forgiven yourself, or sought forgiveness from others?

3. Is some physical or emotional injury keeping you from your relationship with God? (See also Day 14.)

4. Consider your fitness for God’s calling in your life. What one specific healing (of sin, emotions, spiritual or body) would you request? How would this help you in your relationship with God and with others?

Prayer Reflection: I’m Not Perfect⁶
Some people today think, “If God is always willing to forgive me, why should I be concerned about sinning?” St. Paul reminds us that faith in Christ should be a matter of the heart, not simply a mechanical commitment (Romans 6:15—7:6). Like a married couple’s love calls them to commit to each other (Romans 7:2), so our love for Christ should make us want to live in the light, free from sin. Why would we want to return to the things that bring death to the soul (Romans 6:21)?

But even when we commit to follow Christ, sin is a constant challenge. Paul encourages us, in the face of temptation, to maintain our focus on God and refrain from sin.

Prayer: Jesus, you experienced temptation throughout your ministry. Yet you always made the decision to avoid sin and live in the light.

I have made the commitment to follow you. Give me the strength to overcome temptations and avoid sin. If in my weakness I allow my sin and passions to steer me in the wrong direction and way from you, please forgive me a and help me regain control. Amen.

Prayer Space⁷
Here’s space for you to “pray on paper.” You may write out your conversation with God about living on earth with a view of your Heavenly Home.

Prayer for myself...

Prayer for my partner/group and others (family, friends, the world, etc)...

1– Taken from Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International
2- Taken from Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, pages 48-50
3– “A Total Life Change” in Encounters with God, compile by Kelly Carr (Cincinnati: Standard Publishing, 2005), pages 131-135
4- Reflection Questions taken from the Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, page 39
5- Taken from Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International
6– Prayer Reflection: I’m Not Perfect was taken from the “Live It!” section of The Catholic Youth Bible: Revised Edition; page 1486
7- Prayer Space taken from the Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International

One Week Chekpoint

February 17-23, 2008

Hey! You’ve just finished seven days of the Pray21 experience. How are you doing? Time to stop and take stock.

As we explained in the introduction, it’s not humanly possible to actually do a new life application every day. In fact, the way God has designed us, a more realistic life growth pace is one new, deep, lasting life change a month. And that’s someone who’s really growing. (The way you want to grow, right?)

But these 21 days are different from normal life. Lent is different from normal life. It’s your special gift to the Lord, meant as a focused time of seeking God’s direction– a clarifying, foundation-building endeavor to launch the rest of your life serving Him. So everyone participating in Pray21 is planning and praying for an especially concentrated dose of renewed devotion coming out of these three weeks– guided by one personalize commitment from each week.

You might come up with more than three ways you’d like to change, maybe dozens of promises you want to make and keep for the Lord. Write those down! Don’t forget them. But for now, just narrow down to three– one each week– that you’ll work on for the next couple of months or so.

Starting with this first week…

Think and pray about each of these checkpoint questions. When you next meet with your partner/group talk and pray together about them, giving each other feedback and encouragement. All

participants, adults and youth alike, should seek to learn from God and each other. As you consider this guidance and your own heart passions, choose one key commitment from Week One.

Is God’s dream for your life becoming a little more clear? It’s especially important to share your specific commitment (Questions #5 and #6) with your partner/group, so you can support and encourage each other.

1. During the last seven days, what has been the most encouraging, uplifting thought you’ve had working through this Journal?

2. What has been the hardest idea or challenge for you to swallow? Why do you think this is so hard for you?

3. How have others been helpful to you as you’ve sought to learn and grow? What more could the rest of us do for you?

4. Have you been able to pray for, encourage or lovingly challenge one (or more) of your partners toward growth? If so, describe one way you’ve done this.

5. Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Write down a few details for following through on the next step. For example, what exactly will you do? When? Where? With whom? Who will support you and hold you accountable? How will you know when you’ve fulfilled your commitment? (Hint: Make your goal stretching and a little risky, but not unrealistic, so you don’t just give up.)

6. From these first seven days, what other growth areas, goals or commitments would you like to pursue some day? Write down a few of those dreams. You can come back to them later.

Day 7- What Good is it To Gain the Whole World and Lose Your Soul?

Do you ever feel strange in hits life? Maybe it’s because
you’re a stranger here. Earth isn’t home for God’s kids.
But you’re not a stranger in Heaven, your real home. And
you’re not a stranger among God’s family, other Catholic
Christians. Find strength in these realities to move ahead
with your mission on earth, as a friendly foreigner.¹

“He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life?” -Mark 8:34-37

Although it may not have appeared so on the surface, St. Bernadette was an incredibly blessed woman. Born in 1844 in Lourdes, France, she entered the world in poverty. In order to help the family financially, she was hired out to another family as a servant at age twelve and was there until she was fourteen. When she was fourteen, she received the first of eighteen apparitions, by the Blessed Virgin in Lourdes, France. After receiving the apparitions, she moved into a house of sisters who taught her to write, and cared for her sick body. When she turned twenty-two she was admitted into the order. She spent the majority of the rest of her life sick, and was not often treated with respect by her superiors. She knew what it was like to be ridiculed for her faith. At the time of her apparitions, it is safe to assume that not everyone welcomed her with open arms. She endured the mockery of others for what she had seen because she knew it to be true. When convicted in belief, nothing can stand in the way of faith. It is not easy to face scorn and ridicule when you feel alone in your faith. It is wise to turn to St. Bernadette for prayers of strength and comfort.²

It’s sometimes hard down here on earth, because this isn’t home. That’s why, if you’re actively following Christ, you’re so often misunderstood.

Take heart.

We’re strangers on earth, with a calling to lead others closer to Christ and into His light and truth. But some people like the dark. So they shoot their rescuers. They persecute and tease and ridiculte Catholics and other Christians. And so we get scared and stay home instead of stepping out and working for Christ.

Turn out.

You may never face the threat of death for your faith as the martyrs did. But the world system has a lot of ways of persuading Christians to give up. Don’t take it lying down.

Stand up.

And no matter how you're earthly family might treat you, in Christ you belong in an eternal family– God’s family– the church and the communion of saints. You were created with a built-in need to connect with other Catholics and other Christians. Together we are able to love and worship God more fully and powerfully, serve Him as a unified body, reach out to the lost with a strong love, meet each other’s needs and support and challenge each other as we become like Jesus. Alone, we cannot do anything.

Plug in to the Eucharist.³ Remember, “I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me.” ⁴

Reflection Questions:⁵
Keep a line open to your Heavenly Father, who’s with you, and who’s also looking forward to your Heavenly Homecoming some day. ⁶

1. What are the things that tempt you to think of this world as home?

2. Even with all the truly good things in this life on earth, why is it dangerous to get too comfortable with being here on earth?

3. What are the possible risks of living as a child of Heaven?

4. What’s one new way you need to plug into God’s family, your home away from Home?

5. What is something on earth that your Father might be asking you to let go of, in order to stand up for Him?

Prayer Reflection: Total Commitment

Jesus calls for a total commitment requiring great sacrifice. He tells the disciples that to be truly alive, they must be willing to deny themselves and take up their own crosses. The cross symbolizes denying the way of the world and embracing the way of Jesus. It means tough self-sacrifice and, at times, a willingness to suffer for what is right.

But what does it mean, to deny ourselves and take up our own crosses?

When we deny ourselves, it means that we cannot be fooled by what the world says about being truly alive. The world tells us to buy our happiness with wealth, power, prestige, or selfish pleasure. But those things actually make us feel less alive and more anxious. Taking up our own crosses means that we need to be willing to cling to the right things– forgiveness, justice, service, and compassion for the poor and unpopular– even if it will bring us real life, true freedom, joy and inner peace. The way of the cross it the path to resurrection and eternal life. ⁷

Prayer: Courage
Dear Lord, thank you for blessing me with courage– courage to try new things, in spite of the fear of embarrassment; courage to undertake the challenges, even if I cannot conceive the outcome; courage to articulate my beliefs, knowing there may be opposition.

Lord, I have been given the opportunity to meet new people, to experience new sights, and to voice my opinions. I have faced obstacles along the way, but I think you for giving me the courage to continue– to know that challenges make me stronger, to know that fear is sometimes inevitable, to know what in every situation you stand beside me, offering reassurance when I doubt.

Thank you Lord, for giving me courage– courage to live, courage to experience, and courage to pray. Amen. ⁷

Prayer Space ⁸
Here’s space for you to “pray on paper.” You may write out your conversation with God about living on earth with a view of your Heavenly Home.

Prayer for myself...

Prayer for my partner/group and others (family, friends, the world, etc)...

1– Taken from Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International
2– Story of St. Bernadette taken from Saintbook by Life Teen Inc, page 91
3- Taken from Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, page 44
4– Philippians 4:13
5- Reflection Questions taken from the Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, page 39
6- Taken from Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International
7– Prayer Reflection: Total Commitment was taken from the “Live It!” section of The Catholic Youth Bible: Revised Edition; page 1297
8- Prayer Space taken from the Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International

Day 6- Haven't I Handpicked You?

"My confidence is placed in God who does not need our
help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful
to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings."
–St. Isaac Jogues

Of the six billion people who inhabit this earth, some are cherished by their earthly parents; some are not. But all share one incredible reality. A fatherly Creator in Heaven crafted every– every– individual uniquely, each person reflecting God’s amazing image in her or his singular way. God loves and treasures each one-of-a-kind child and adult.

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” ¹

King David sang, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be.” ²

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?’ And the angel said to her in reply, ‘The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.’ Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” ³

You’ve also been carefully chosen and crafted for a specific calling in your life.

During a discouraging time in the ministry of Jesus and His Disciples, He reassured them, “Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you twelve?...” ⁴

Jesus wants you! For your friendship, faithfulness and love. He also wants you because you’re as valuable as a specialist-on-assignment, intended to carry out a pre-planned, you-designed, you-customized, you-nique task in His mission.

That’s why Mary was chosen and Jesus’ disciples were handpicked. Think, for example, of Matthew. Why would Jesus choose him? He worked for the Roman oppressors, collecting taxes from His own people and charging extra “taxes” that never made it to Rome. Padding his pockets left many Jewish families destitute. He was a traitor and a thief.

But Jesus saw a heart that could be rescued, and a life that would fulfill a strategic assignment. Matthew was a record keeper, and his collected quotations and stories from Jesus’ ministry comprise the book bearing his name in our Bibles today. Matthew had also been an astute observer of the Old Testament in his childhood education. In writing Jesus’ story, he pointed out dozens of ways that the Messiah fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, reassuring Christians throughout the centuries that Jesus is who he claims to be.

Thousands of stories– in the Bible, throughout history, and in our world today– show handpicked children of God accomplishing often surprising feats as part of God’s mission.

God made you with love. He paid His Son for your adoption as His own child. And He crafted you to fulfill a unique purpose on earth.

Maybe you’ll protect the helpless.
Maybe you’ll invent a lifesaving use for the peanut.
Maybe you’ll stand up for truth.

Whatever your assignment, knowing that you’re handpicked for a purpose makes all the difference.⁵

Reflection Questions:⁶
Ask God your Father to let you see yourself through His eyes. When you meet again with your partners, be God’s eyes and voice of love for them, too. Age is not an issue. Everyone needs reassurance.²

1. What do you honestly believe about your worth to God and your special design for His mission?

2. What are you told is true about you, but have a hard time believing?

3. What can you do to become more convinced of your value to God and the St. Ignatius faith community? What can others do to help you be more convinced of your value?

4. What can you do to help others be more convinced of their value to God and the St. Ignatius faith community?

5. For today, don’t work hard at figuring out what your vocation is. Focus on simply believing it exists. What’s one step you will take toward firmly grasping the truth of your value and vocation?

Prayer Reflection: Mary of Nazareth
Luke’s Gospel makes it clear that Mary of Nazareth has a special place in God’s plan of salvation. Beginning with Mary's humble acceptance of God's ill revealed by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38), Mary is presented as the true, first disciple who does the will of God. Her yes to God leads to Jesus’ presence among us. She follows Jesus to the cross and is with the disciples I the upper room during the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). Mary reveals to us the meaning of true faith– a willingness to accept God’s call and to gradually discover the full meaning of God’s will.⁷

Prayer: The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Prayer Space⁸
Here’s space for you to “pray on paper.” You may write out your conversation with God– your thanks and praise, your requests and your concerns.

Prayer for myself...

Prayer for my partner/group and others (family, friends, the world, etc)...

1– John 3:16
2– Psalm 139: 13-16
3- Luke 1:26-38
4– John 6:70
5– Taken from Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, pages 37-38
6- Reflection Questions taken from the Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, page 39
7– Prayer Reflection: Mary of Nazareth was taken from the “Introducing Mary of Nazareth” section of The Catholic Youth Bible: Revised Edition; page 1317
8- Prayer Space taken from the Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International

Part 2- Belong

An amateur once challenged a golf pro to a round [of golf]… on one condition. The amateur requested two “gotchas.” The pro wouldn’t admit he didn’t know what a gotcha was, so he said okay. The amateur’s opening drive was horrible, sliced into a thick grove of trees. The pro teed up, eyed the fairway, and drew back. That's when the amateur dug him in the rigs and yelled, “GOTCHA!”

Later, the other golfers learned that the amateur had on by five strokes. When they asked the pro, all he said he was, “You have no idea what it’s like playing eighteen holes, waiting for a second

gotcha.”

We all have gotchas in our past, no matter how long that past is. Trauma, family wounds, painful relationships, sin, failures, labels. We live with on-going insecurity, waiting for our gotchas to jump up at any moment. They can hinder our relationship with God and our ability to serve Him.

If you’re a Christian, you confront your gotchas by learning that you belong. You were chosen by God to be his forever, and to be part of His mission. You have a secure home waiting in Heaven and a church family on earth. You’re completely forgiven and accepted. And Jesus is with you through everything.

In these next days, you’ll grow more confident in your belonging. But don’t wait to launch into your God-given dreams and purpose. He’ll use you now!

Day 5- Don't You Know Me Yet?

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”
-Blessed Mother Teresa

“Thomas said to him, ‘Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.’ If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you.” -John 14:5-17

Theresa grew up in a rich Spanish household, but became handicapped at a young age. After praying to St. Joseph, she was cured and went on to become a Carmelite nun with a strong devotion to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Later in life she had confirmed visions, was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church and became a mystical writer, dying in 1582.

Teresa found herself in several disastrous situations. Once, after falling and injuring her leg, she looked up to Heaven and asked, “Lord, you couldn’t have picked a worse time for this to happen…
haven’t I had enough problems?”

She said that the Lord replied, “Don’t you realize that this is how I treat my friends?” St. Teresa of Avila retorted, “It this is how you treat your friends, it’s no wonder you don’t have very many.”¹

What about you? How long have you been friends with Jesus? A month? A decade? Fifty years? All your life? Any time with Jesus is time to get to know him.

You can be with Him. He’s present in the Eucharist in Mass, present during Adoration. He’s speaking to you at Mass, during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, every time you read or hear or remember something from the Bible. It’s the Holy Spirit who whispers (or shouts) to your conscience, giving you courage and clarity in life’s fog. It’s his conviction you feel when you get mad about something that’s wrong. His love, when you feel compassion for someone who’s hurting. You see God in the answers to your prayers; even if the answer is no, or something you didn’t expect, that’s Him teaching you. Whenever one of your brothers or sisters in Christ does something kind, or lovingly corrects you, or prays for you… that’s Jesus, hugging you with his “body,” the church.

You can even see Him when you pass a homeless person, observe a fatherless child, or watch a jailed criminal’s face on TV.²

After all your time with Jesus, how well do you know him? He’s been there.

Take a fresh look at Him. Put up your Jesus antennae. Open your ears. Sensitize your heart. See Him?
How will seeing Jesus around you and in you change your world?³

Reflection Questions:²
As you dig into and journal about these questions, picture Jesus there conversing with you. (He really is.) Absorb the love, power and truth of His Presence. Renew your commitment to seek Him each day in all you do.²

1. What are some ways you’ve seen and come to know Jesus personally in your time with Him?

2. What difference has this vision of Jesus made in your attitudes and ways of living?

3. In what ways do you need to open your eyes to Jesus, take a fresh look at Him, revive your relationship with Him?

4. What’s one step you’ll take now to see and know Jesus better?

Prayer Reflection: The Way and The Truth and The Life
Laotian Catholics often point to John 14:6, as a significant connection between the Buddhist faith and their Catholic faith. There is a Buddhist tradition of honoring the way and the truth. Becoming a Catholic and knowing the risen Christ brings a deeper appreciation of everlasting life. This completes the triangle of “the way and the truth and the life.”³

Prayer: O gracious and Holy Father, give us the wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to understand you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to see you, a heart to meditate on you,
and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. –St. Benedict

Prayer Space⁴
Here’s space for you to “pray on paper.” You may write out your conversation with God– your thanks and praise, your requests and your concerns.

Prayer for myself...

Prayer for my partner/group and others (family, friends, the world, etc)...

1– Story of St. Augustine taken from Saintbook by Life Teen Inc, page 140
2- Reflection Questions taken from the Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, page 29
3– Prayer Reflection: The Way and The Truth and The Life was taken from the “Cultural Connections” section of The Catholic Youth Bible: Revised Edition; by St. Mary’s Press; page 1408
4- Prayer Space taken from the Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International

Day 4- Why Did You Doubt?

"Few souls understand what God would accomplish
in them if they were to abandon themselves
unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace
to mold them accordingly." -St. Ignatius of Loyola

“Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said, and they cried out in fear. At once (Jesus) spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter said to him in reply, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’ ” -Matthew 14:22-33

“St. Augustine, born in November 354, did not always lead a saintly life. He spend most of his early life living a wild and sinful lifestyle. He was no stranger to parties or other such activities.

Growing up with is mother as a devout Christian (and now a saint) he was schooled in Christian thought, but never really had faith. He bounced around from one philosophical idea pool to another, trying to find truth. Meanwhile, he continued his life the way it was, notwanting to give it up…

After years of searching and even more years of prayer by his mother [St. Monica], St. Augustine finally saw the Truth of the

Church and converted to Christianity. He would eventually sell off his property to give money to the poor. He became a monk, and eventually a bishop. The decision to follow Christ comes at a staggering high price: the totally transformation of life. St. Augustine show us that to really find Christ; one must abandon the old sinful ways and take on the new life as Christ has modeled. When you are trapped in your old ways, or need the strength to turn from the snares of this world, turn to St. Augustine for prayers of guidance.”¹

Got doubts? Jesus understands. But he also wants to help you beat them. Unyielding skepticism becomes a smokescreen hiding our unwillingness to trust God, to take an obedient risk, to do the right thing. Jesus sees through it. So do you.

Got Jesus?

Reflection Questions²:

1. Describe one doubt or more that makes it hard for you to trust, follow and obey God.

2. What helps you get over the doubts?

3. What makes the doubts worse?

4. Just as Peter needed Jesus and Augustine needed his mother St. Monica, who do you need? What do they do for you?

5. Don’t wait for fear to disappear. Fear isn’t the opposite of faith. Disobedience is. What steps will you take to show faith in spite of fear this week?

Prayer Reflection: Do You Trust Jesus?

At this point in the Gospel of Matthew, different groups are beginning to life up for or against Jesus. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes do not trust him. The disciples still follow Jesus, but they do not yet understand who he really is. In chapters 14-17, through several signs and wonders, the true identity of Jesus is revealed to the disciples. Peter in particular is being prepared for his role as leader.

Of the four Gospels, only Matthew included the story of Peter walking on the water. If you have gotten acquainted with Peter, it will not surprise you that he was willing to take the risk. But why does Peter start to sink? When he is focuses on Jesus, everything is fine. It is when he takes his eyes off Jesus, noticing the fierce wind, that he begins to sink.

Jesus invites you to risk a relationship with him. You have to step out in faith, maybe leaving some old ways of life behind. Learn from Peter to keep your focus on Jesus. As the disciples learned, this is no ordinary man but the Son of God! Following Jesus might get scary or difficult at times, but all great adventures involve some risks.³

Lord, I often wonder how I’m going to make it through. I worry about the little things, and they all seem too difficult to handle. Help me to remember, Lord, that your Providence and Grace are big enough for all my dreams and desires, and then some. Lord, help me to put my life truly in your hands and to welcome the path you have traced for me. Amen.⁴

Prayer Space⁵
Here’s space for you to “pray on paper.” You may write out your conversation with God– your thanks and praise, your requests and your concerns.

Prayer for myself...

Prayer for my partner/group and others (family, friends, the world, etc)...

1– Story of St. Augustine taken from Saintbook by Life Teen Inc, page 90
2- Reflection Questions taken from the Pray21 Discovery Guide by Christian Endeavor International, page 29
3– Prayer Reflection: Do You Trust Jesus was taken from the “Live It!” section of The Catholic Youth Bible: Revised Edition; by St. Mary’s Press; page 1241
4– Reflection Prayer by Anne Watson, 1999 Alumna of the University of Notre Dame; Printed by the Campus Ministry of University Notre Dame Prayer Book: Lead, Kindly Light: The Notre Dame Book of Prayers
5- Prayer Space taken from the Pray21 Journal by Christian Endeavor International