WHY GOD ALLOWS EVIL PEOPLE TO PROSPER. When we suffer, we may be tempted to wonder why people who do not know God seem to prosper. But we know that God has a plan and that our suffering in this world has a purpose. Rather than look longingly at the prosperous in this world, we should heed the words of St. Bridget of Sweden, "Let go of what will pass, and gather that which is eternal."

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THE DEVIL NEVER QUITS. As Catholics, we believe that God has prepared a place for us with Jesus in Heaven if we do His will on earth. We also believe that Satan is real and is relentless in his desire to defeat every one of us. That's why we must heed the words of St. Peter, who said, "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8).

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DO IT NOW. There seems to be in many of us an inherent need to delay or put off for tomorrow what doesn't need to be done today. That's understandable, but the followers of Jesus know that His earthly ministry was urgent and action-oriented, and serves as a stark reminder that we should never delay when God calls us.

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DO I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL? Although many of us do not think about or interact with angels, the Catholic Church teaches that every person is assigned a Guardian Angel by God, to guide, protect, and help our souls toward salvation. And even when we are not aware, our Guardian Angel is at work. St. Jerome once said, "How great is the dignity of souls, that each person has from birth, received an angel to protect it."

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THE CROSSES IN OUR LIVES. To take up our cross and follow Jesus, we must learn to live the doctrine of abandonment, accepting, with thanksgiving, everything that happens to us as God's will. Rather than giving in to fatalism or guilt, we engage with and embrace our crosses. As Job said, "We accept good things from God, should we not also accept evil?"

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THE SIN OF GOSSIP. When idle chatter and casual conversation turn into language that lacks charity and is hurtful, it can often damage the reputation of another person, and alter the way they are perceived, forever. We've become desensitized to how profoundly gossip negatively affects everyone, and when we engage in it, we are exposing ourselves to a serious sin.

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GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER SUNDAY. As we enter into His Passion on Good Friday, we prayerfully follow Him to the Cross, and to His tomb. And when we awaken on Easter Sunday, we recognize once again, that ‘He Is Risen’ today, and every day, for the rest of our lives.

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THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES. Our spiritual lives are richer when we can take pleasure in God's divine company, and speak to Our Lord humbly and lovingly, without inhibitions. But how? Let's check in with Brother Lawrence, who developed a simple method of focused prayer, which can help us connect with God in all seasons and at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way.

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