Catholic Faith Formation Resources

" Pray Without Ceasing " — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 How do you pray without ceasing? Perhaps it begins by recognizing that prayer occurs any time when we think of God, converse with God, commune with God, or when any actions we do are for the glory of God. In other words, prayer can occur any time we live in conscious awareness, longing, and love for God in thought, word, or action. For example, you may wish to consider Nicholas Herman, known as "Brother Lawrence," a monk who lived during the 17th century. Brother Lawrence spent most of his life working in the kitchen of a Monastery for a community that grew to more than 100 men. As part of his kitchen duties he would cook and wash the dishes. Later on, he became a cobbler for the community, but would still return to the kitchen to assist. Although he lived in simplicity and did not seek notariety, he developed a reputation for wisdom and people would seek him out for his counsel. During his life he wrote a nu...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1–5 During the Christmas season we celebrate the incarnation of God's "Word" in the person of the Jesus. As God’s "Word," Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Jesus is also "the light of the world," who promises that "Whoever follows [him] will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus is the human face of God for us, who reveals the fullness of God’s unconditional love for all creation, calling us to follow God’s will and way that leads to experiencing abundant life now and eternal life beyond (John 10:10; 28). The light of Chr...

The seeds we plant or allow to grow in the garden of our minds and hearts shape the essence of who we become. Each thought, each action, is a seed that can grow into a towering tree of virtue or a creeping vine of vice. Virtue is defined as ”the habitual and firm disposition to do the good." Virtue begins with small, intentional acts of love, kindness, honesty, and compassion. These seeds, when nurtured, flourish into habits that define our character. They bring light not only to our lives but also to those around us. A kind word, a selfless deed, or a moment of patience can ripple outwards, creating a garden of goodness that enriches our world. Conversely, the seeds of vice—the habitual practice of behaviors and actions that are a failure in genuine love for God, ourselves, others, and creation ("sin")—can have a detrimental effect on our well-being, relationships, and our overall quality of life. Vices are often sown in moments of ignorance, weakness, or neg...

Adopting a virtue-driven life, as modeled by Jesus, is a profound, meaningful, and transformative way to live. Jesus, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, exemplified numerous virtues that can guide us in our daily lives, helping us to live with purpose, integrity, and compassion. Consider some of the following virtues that Jesus exemplified: Openness : Jesus lived in the “present moment,” aware and open to what was happening around him. This allowed him to see reality as it was. It enabled him to see and respond to people in need who were ignored or discarded by others. For example, consider Jesus’ encounter with the hemorrhaging women (Mark 5:25-34), or with Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). Love : Jesus’ life was grounded in unconditional love. He taught us to love our neighbors and to even love our enemies (Matthew 22:37-39; 5:44). This kind of love is selfless and sacrificial, always seeking the best for others. By embracing love, we can create a more compassionate understa...