Catholic Exchange » Words of Encouragement

CE Editor — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:00:50 +0000

“You are the Lord. Everyone I love, everyone I care about, everyone I’m afraid of, they are all under your Lordship. Nothing they do escapes your gaze, your justice, or your mercy. You are most interested in their salvation and happiness than I could ever be. O Lord! Grant me the peace that comes from trusting in you. You went to the cross to show that you deserve unshakable confidence…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:26 +0000

“You have given me a glimpse of your nature, of your relationship with the father. I can’t fully understand that, Lord. Why did you reveal it to me? You want to be known by me. You want me to enter into your friendship – even more, into your family. So I have to know the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I want to know you. The better I know you, the better I will be able to reflection your goodness in all I do…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:00:33 +0000

“You have sent me out, just as your Father sent you out. You have sent me into the lives of those around me, into this society and this culture, just as your Father sent you into the world. You want me to be true to your will, to love me neighbor as you have loved me, just as you were true to the Father’s will. You have put your mission into my hands. Thank you, Lord! With you at my side, I have nothing to fear…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartuneks’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:00:44 +0000

“Help me think about Heaven, Lord. You are leading me there. You went to prepare me a place there. What will it be like? You came to earth, lived, suffered, and died so that I would have the possibility of going there, of spending eternity with you there. Whatever I can imagine, you can outdo. Increase my hope, Lord, and draw many others to you through me…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:00:40 +0000

“Teach me to pray, Lord. Teach me to pray in your name, to pray with faith, to pray unceasingly. Teach me to pray for the people you have entrusted to my care. You want to shower your graces down upon them, and you are just waiting for me to open up the faucet by my sincere, trusting prayers. In your name, Lord Jesus, I beg you to send the Father’s blessing and the Spirit’s grace into their hearts…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:26 +0000

“Why am I still surprised when things go wrong, when tragedy strikes, or when failure brings me to my knees? Why do I keep thinking earth should be heaven? O Lord, shine your light into my mind. Give me the mind and heart of a pilgrim, a sailor, a missionary. Remind me everyday that this life is a journey, a battle, and a mission. Remind me that with you in my heart I can travel and fight and work with joy and peace, no matter what…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:06 +0000

“I am never alone. You have made sure of that by giving me your friendship. I am sorry for being so closed in on myself at times. I spend most of my day living as if I were alone. In my heart I monologue with myself, while on the outside I bustle and chat. And where are you? I don’t want to relegate you to a few minutes in the morning and a few at night. I want to live in your presence, because I know that’s what you want…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:29 +0000

“I am such a product of my times, Lord. I am a coke-machine Christian: I want to put the dollar in the slot, press a button, and have holiness pop right out. I still resist the cross. No more, Lord. You have promises that if I trust in you and follow you, all my sorrows will change into the kind of joy that nothing on earth can taint. I cannot say that I like to suffer, but I can say that I trust in you, Jesus…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:00:31 +0000

“Teach me to pray, Lord. Teach me to pray in your name, to pray with faith, to pray unceasingly. Teach me to pray for the people you have entrusted to my care. You want to shower your graces down upon them, and you are just waiting for me to open up the faucet by my sincere, trusting prayers. In your name, Jesus, I beg you to send your Father’s blessing and the Spirit’s grace into their hearts.”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”

CE Editor — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:22 +0000

“I want to lead those around me into the truth of your friendship, Lord, but how? You reveal yourself gradually to your disciples, before and after your Passion. You befriended them and lived with them. You spoke the truth, but above all you lived the truth. And you drew them closer and closer to you. Help me to do the same. Help me to loves others with your love, so I will know exactly what to do…”

~An excerpt from Fr. John Bartunek’s “The Better Part”