Living Large by Learning From Jesus

Prayer Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus exclaimed: I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Mark 12:29-31 Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

A Leap of Faith

Living The Christian Life: St. Gemma Galgani (25 years old) Born in Camigliano, a village of the Tuscany region near Lucca, Italy. Her mother died in 1885 and after her father's death in 1897, Gemma became mother to her seven brothers and sisters at nineteen. In 1898, Gemma became seriously ill with meningitis but was miraculously cured through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Received Stigmata: Vigil of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus In January 1903, contracted tuberculosis and died on April 11 th.

Learning to Live The Christian Life: “Oh Jesus,” she would say, “do not let me do things that are above me. I am good for nothing. I do not know how to return all these great graces you have given me. Seek someone else who will know how to do better than I.” And to her God replied: “You do what you can: I want to make use of you, because you are the poorest, the weakest of all creatures.” "It is true Jesus, if I think of what I have gone through as a child and now as a grown up girl I see that I have always had crosses to bear; But oh! how wrong are those who say that suffering is a misfortune!“ “And can there be a heart that will not let itself be taken over by so much love? Can there be a soul that will not let itself be won over? Can there be a soul that will not let itself be ravished by You? Oh my soul, how much longer do you wish to be so stingy with Jesus?... Why so negligent toward Jesus who made you? Why so lazy toward Jesus Who redeemed you? Who do you want to love, if you do not want to love Jesus?"

The Christian Life: “Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” Albus Dumbledore J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Movie