with open eyes and a captured heart

“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.” -Blessed Pope John Paul II

[heartlessmuffineater-blog]

How foolish are those who waste time in desiring to be martyred in far countries, but do not apply themselves in their state of life.

 St. Francis de Sales (via badwolfcomplex)

[mercypoured-blog]

Our Pop Culture Moment by James D. Conley | First Things

Pop culture is important, and powerful. The sign value of Pope Francis’ pontificate is immense. And liable to misinterpretation. But our task is to wed sign and substance. To use the new-found fascination of the world for the Holy Father for the quiet, personal conversations which lead to conversion. To use piqued curiosity to speak, from the heart of a disciple, to suffering souls.

[mercypoured-blog]

[mercypoured-blog]

Don’t Just Discern Your Vocation

1K Flares Twitter 62 Facebook 953 Filament.io 1K Flares × There’s a cause for today’s vocation shortage that’s rarely addressed. Too many people are discerning; not enough people are deciding. I know they mean well, but instead of courageously pursuing

God reveals the extraordinary only after we’ve embraced the ordinary.

[mercypoured-blog]

"Do not throw away that confidence you have of attaining spiritual things-there is still time and opportunity. But why put off making your resolve? Stand up and begin this moment ; say to yourself: NOW is the time for action, NOW is the time for battle, NOW is the right time to mend my ways."

The Imitation of Christ by: Thomas a Kempis, Book 1, XXII,61

[mercypoured-blog]

Stop Racing Against the Clock: How to Invest Your Time in College

Ever seen this diagram? The Four Quadrants of Time is a time management matrix popularized by Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Read it if you havent done so.

[catholiclight]

God can use our weakness as easily as our strength in order to accomplish His will.

Blessed Pope John Paul II (via catholiclight)

[lunarwolf95]

Teen Texting: The Ruin of Romance

Wake up, people. This needless incessant phone-to-phone contact is ruining relationships and not just romantic ones. Bottom line: Our children need a break.

This is a really good read.

[mercypoured-blog]

To lose one's way is nothing more than the giving up of prayer. Whoever does not pray does not need the devil to lead him off the path. He will throw himself into hell.

St. Teresa of Avila

[mercypoured-blog]

The storms of life reveal the truth about our faith. He's not just a Teacher. He's not just a Healer. He's not just a miracle worker. He is my Savior.

[mercypoured-blog]

"Love that is not willing to suffer is not worthy of that name"

St. Clare of Assisi

[mercypoured-blog]

"We have dissected our lives, cutting it into small compartments so that we may specifically analyze each part.  We do this so that we might better understand how we should act in each order to get ahead.  The problem with dissecting something is that you have to kill it."

"Shalom means so much more than peace: completeness, wholeness, health, welfare, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfection, fullness, rest, harmony and internal “accord.”  It means “absolute integrity.”  When Jesus says, “peace be with you,” it is a prayer, a blessing, a command, and an expression of his desire for us."

[mercypoured-blog]

5 Things Parishes are Doing Wrong for the New Evangelization 1)     They spend 8 months crafting a new mission statement. So your parish wants more unity – a vision to run with.  Your staff sees a ...

[mercypoured-blog]

Addressing unbelievers, the Holy Father’s letter in the Italian daily newspaper ‘La&  

[mercypoured-blog]

[mercypoured-blog]

"I think God might be a little prejudiced. For once He asked me to join Him on a walk through this world, and we gazed into every heart on this earth, and I noticed He lingered a bit longer before any face that was weeping, and before any eyes that were laughing. And sometimes when we passed a soul in worship God too would kneel down. I have come to learn: God adores His creation."

[mercypoured-blog]

Image via (Note: I’m taking a short break from the “He Loves You, He Loves You Not