Since I’m so far behind on reflections, I’m giving you 5 days worth of them today!

March 31st 

“To save our souls we must live according to the maxims of the Gospel, and not according to those of the world.” – Saint Alphonsus

“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, kindles the true light of chastity.”
-St. Augustine

April 1st

“The devil attacks us at the time of prayer more frequently than at other times. His object is to make us weary of prayer.” 
– Blessed Henry Suso, OP

In the parable of the prodigal son, Christ shows us mercy as a love that is “able to reach down to every prodigal son, to every human misery, and above all to every form of moral misery, to sin. When this happens, the person who is the object of mercy does not feel humiliated, but rather found again and ‘restored to value’.” Thus, “mercy is manifested in its true and proper aspect when it restores to value, promotes and draws good from all the forms of evil existing in the world and in man.”  
-St. John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia

April 2nd 

“With every day that passes, I grow more and more convinced how ugly the world is, of how much suffering there is, and, unfortunately, of how it is the good who suffer the most. Meanwhile, we who have been given so many of God’s blessings have repaid Him poorly. This is an awful reality that racks my brain; while I’m studying, every so often I ask myself: will I continue on the right path? Will I have the strength to persevere all the way? In the face of this pang of doubt, the faith given to me in Baptism reassures me of this: by yourself, you will accomplish nothing, but if you place God at the center of all your actions, then you will reach the goal.”
~Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

April 3rd

We should blush for shame to show so much resentment at what is done or said against us, knowing that so many injuries and affronts have been offered to our Redeemer and the saints. – Saint Teresa

“With a humble person, whether he is laughed at or esteemed, praised or blamed, honored or despised, whether people pay attention to him or pass him by, it is all the same to him.”  – The Cure d’Ars

April 4th 

“Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin…. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Hope and have confidence in confession.”  -St. Isidore

“If you stay united with Christ, each one of you will be able to do great things. This is why, dear friends, you must not be afraid to dream with your eyes open of important projects of good and you must not let yourselves be discouraged by difficulties. Christ has confidence in you and wants you to be able to realize all your most noble and lofty dreams of genuine happiness. Nothing is impossible for those who trust in God and entrust themselves to Him.”

— Pope Benedict XVI