One Minute Meditations

St. Mary Magdalene
St. Mary Magdalene had reason to be grateful to Jesus.  He freed her from seven demons that oppressed her (Luke 8:2).  In turn, St. Mary helped to support Jesus' ministry from her own money, followed him faithfully, and stood at the foot of the Cross with Jesus' mother.  Often mistaken for the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50, she was the one Jesus chose to inform the Apostles of his Resurrection.  She is known as the "Apostle to the Apostles".
From Pope Francis
In his recent encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis challenges all of us to change our lifestyles to be gentler to the environment, the poor, and each other.  Remember creation is a gift.  "Find happiness in simple things : get-togethers, helping others, honing a talent, enjoying art and music, praying."
"The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it"
(Genesis 2:15).
St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe
Ordained a priest at a young age, Maximilian Kolbe was determined to combat religious indifference in his native Poland (now Ukraine) and published a successful magazine to preach the Gospel.  When the Nazis invaded in 1939, they noticed Fr. Kolbe and he was eventually imprisoned at Auschwitz.  One day, ten men were chosen to die as punishment for a prisoner escape.  Fr. Koble offered himself instead of a family man.  The man saved, Francis Gajowniczek, was present at Fr. Kolbe's canonization.
Hospital for sinners
It can be disappointing when fellow Christians don't seem to act Christ-like.  Yes, the Church is made up of imperfect people who may let us down occasionally.  Still, the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus, safeguards the Sacraments and helps us grow in holiness.  And Jesus never disappoints.
"If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive." --- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
St. Robert Bellarmine
A Jesuit, Robert was a scholar devoted to studying and writing about church history, Scripture and the fathers of the Church.  He taught against the divine right of kings and became unpopular.  He worked to accurately record Church doctrine to explain and protect it from attack by Protestants.  Although a cardinal and counselor to Pope Clement VIII, he lived and ate like the poor.  He was canonized and declared a doctor of the Church.
Let go of the dream
Who wouldn't want to live the "good life?"  Imagine having all the money you need, going on exotic vacations, and owning your dream home.  Yet, people who have all the world can offer still say they don't have all they want.  That's because the good life isn't here on Earth.
"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose"  (Romans 8:28).
St. Teresa of Avila
Born in 1515, Teresa joined the Carmelites ---- over family objections --- in 1534.  Soon after, she became so ill that the sisters dug a grave for her.  Teresa recovered and wrote a book on prayer called The Interior Castle, based on her suffering.  In 1563, she founded a stricter order whose nuns wore rough brown habits and sandals instead of shoes.  St. Teresa founded more than 17 convents of Discalced Carmelites and helped reform the Carmelite friars.
Love in Action
When we see others suffering, we might think, "The Church should do something."  Yet as members of the Church, it's our job to take action and share Christ's love.  We can be a listening ear, a helping hand, or an encouraging voice to someone in need.  Whatever it is, the Church can always "do something."
"Faith does not remove us from the world, but draws us more deeply into it"  Pope Francis
St. Martin de Porres
Martin was born in 1579 in Peru to a Spanish knight and a freed Negro slave.  He worked as a barber before joining the Dominicans in 1594, in a time when people of African and Indian descent were barred from joining religious orders.  Despite this, he founded an orphanage and cared for the poor and sick, regardless of color, race, or social class.  He was also a mystic, gifted with miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and flight.
God's timing
Sometimes it seems like no matter how much we pray, God doesn't hear us.  It can be tempting to give up hope, but remember, God always answers prayer in his time.  Each day, decide to trust God; his timing is perfect.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ"  (Ephesians 2:4-5).