HOPE IN TRIALS
click above to read
Have you ever asked God for a sign? I know I have...wanting reassurance that He is guiding me, that I’m on the right path, or that things will get better.
Jesus rebukes those who demand a sign, in today's scripture, reminding them that the only sign they need is already before them: Himself. How often do you overlook His presence in your life because you are too focused on seeking external signs and proof?
Hope is not about always seeing the way forward; it is about believing that God is leading you even when you cannot see. Just as Jonah’s story pointed to God’s mercy and the Queen of Sheba sought wisdom, you are called to seek Christ, the ultimate source of truth and hope. Even in trials, when answers seem unclear, you can rest in the certainty that He is near.
Prayer for Hope in Uncertainty
Lord, You are the only sign I need. In moments of doubt, help me to trust in Your presence, even when I do not see immediate answers. Strengthen my heart to hope in You alone, knowing that You are always working for my good. Give me the faith to follow You with confidence, resting in the promise that Your love never fails. Amen.
HOPE for your Health: Strengthening Discipline
This week, we are focusing on strengthening the virtue of discipline by extending our daily fast to 13 hours.
As you are hopefully experiencing, fasting is more than a physical challenge, it is a practice of discipline that strengthens both body and soul. By learning to deny yourself in small ways, you grow in self-mastery and create space for God to sustain you. Discipline in fasting teaches you that you are not controlled by your cravings but are capable of choosing what is good, even when it is difficult.
Hope is at the heart of this practice. As you fast today, place your trust in something greater than immediate comfort. Remember that just as God provides for your spiritual needs, He also gives you strength to persevere through trials. Every moment of hunger is an opportunity to lean on Him, knowing that true satisfaction comes not from food alone, but from His grace.
HOPE For Your Marriage:
Listening and Speaking with Love
In marriage, it can be easy to fall into the same pattern of waiting for a "sign" that things will improve, that your spouse understands you, or that love is growing. But hope in marriage is not found in waiting for proof; it is found in choosing to see and nurture the good that is already present.
Just as Jesus stood before the crowds as the greatest sign, your spouse is a visible gift from God, placed in your life for a purpose. Hope flourishes when you choose to express gratitude rather than focus on what is lacking. When you take time to acknowledge and speak words of appreciation, you build a foundation of trust and encouragement. Instead of waiting for a sign that love is alive in your marriage, be the sign...through the way you listen, respond, and affirm your spouse.
Challenge for the Day:
Speak gratitude today. Find a specific way to thank your spouse for something they do or a quality you admire in them. Let your words be a source of encouragement, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and loved.
Another Ina Garten recipe today!
This one is special. Our daughter turns 16 today and she has requested this cake every year for at least the last 9 years! We decided long ago that when a child's birthday falls during Lent, we go ahead and celebrate, making more of a sacrifice on a different day, or fasting all day until dinner (which is hard if this cake is being made)! 4 of our 7 kids have birthdays this time of year and as they get older, we might celebrate on the closest Sunday, but for the most part, if they are living at home, I will always ask what kind of cake they want me to make.
Click above or on the picture of the cake to go to the recipe. Just know that if you make this, you will forever be comparing all other cakes to this one.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REGHAN!!
Those with hope are willing to act.
Those without hope are content to wish.
~Fr. Mike Schmitz
Comments