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Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
Reflections on Faith, Hope & Love.
Love letters to the King...
Sarah Raad
Freelance Writer
When my little niece was born with a rare and severe congenital heart defect, we had no hope other than to prostrate ourselves at the Foot of the Cross and beg for prayers. Somehow, in the days and weeks and months that followed, by Grace and the Infinite Goodness of God, my faith, the size of a mustard seed grew into a tree. Now I pray that this faith, which is such a new and glorious gift for me, will shelter others and give them hope in the Goodness and Love of God.
Enough
“If we profess the same faith and are really eager to follow in the clear footprints left by Christ when He walked on this earth, we cannot be content merely with avoiding doing unto others the evil that we would not have them do unto us. That is a lot, but it is still very little when we consider that our love is to be measured in terms of Jesus' own conduct.” (Saint Josemaria, “Friends of God”, at 222).
Sarah Raad
13 hours ago3 min read
Compel
“Love on another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).
Sarah Raad
2 days ago3 min read
Words
“And at once His fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.” (Mark 1:28).
Sarah Raad
3 days ago3 min read
Selfish
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matthew 4:10-11).
Sarah Raad
4 days ago3 min read
Kneeling
There is such a thin veil between this world and the next one that I can almost see him kneeling there – right there – next to my God…
Sarah Raad
5 days ago3 min read
Born
I have not always done my best under the circumstances. And that is a terrible thing to know…
Sarah Raad
6 days ago2 min read
Nine
“He began by spending nine months in his Mother's womb, like the rest of men, following the natural course of events.” (Saint Josemaria, “Christ is passing by”, at 18).
Sarah Raad
7 days ago3 min read
Redemption
“Marvel at God's magnanimity: He has become Man to redeem us, so that you and I - who are absolutely worthless, admit it! - may come to know Him and trust Him.” (Saint Josemaria, “The Forge”, at 30).
Sarah Raad
May 42 min read
Deeds
Unless my deeds make way for God’s Purpose as a reflection of love, then my deeds are worthless to Our Lord…
Sarah Raad
May 32 min read
Humble
“Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8).
Sarah Raad
May 23 min read
Talents
“You received without paying, give without pay.’” (Matthew 10:8).
Sarah Raad
May 13 min read
Reverse
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11).
Sarah Raad
Apr 303 min read
Little
Remembering who I am and who my Eternal Father is, I stand a little straighter in my resolve today, and I straighten my crown.
Sarah Raad
Apr 293 min read
Struggle
The real struggle of my life is to master myself and conquer my own free will to allow me to submit to the Holy Will of God!
Sarah Raad
Apr 283 min read
Mother
“Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, do not let anything afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.” (Blessed Virgin to Juan Diego on 12 December 1531).
Sarah Raad
Apr 273 min read
Compassion
The death of that child enabled in me a compassion that I would never have been able to achieve without that experience of grief.
Sarah Raad
Apr 263 min read
Choice
“Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent.” (Saint John Chrysostom).
Sarah Raad
Apr 253 min read
Cross
All of these little invisible crosses are not lesser – they are just lessons…
Sarah Raad
Apr 243 min read
Contemplative
“We children of God have to be contemplatives.” (Saint Josemaria).
Sarah Raad
Apr 232 min read
Sorrow
It is very problematic when we are trying not to cause offence or actually state the truth in black and white.
Sarah Raad
Apr 222 min read
Correction
“My children, remember that hell is full of closed mouths.” (Saint Josemaria, “Friends of God”, at 160).
Sarah Raad
Apr 213 min read
Routine
There is just so much that He could use out of me – if only I would add Him into the routine of my everyday life…
Sarah Raad
Apr 202 min read
Know
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).
Sarah Raad
Apr 192 min read
Enough
I must be willing to love in a way that separates me from others.
Sarah Raad
Apr 182 min read
Demands
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14).
Sarah Raad
Apr 173 min read
Blame
Nobody blamed themselves for the sin. Nobody said, I sinned.
Sarah Raad
Apr 162 min read
Mammon
“You cannot serve God and mammon.’” (Luke 16:15).
Sarah Raad
Apr 152 min read
Whip-Chords
“The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy” (Diary of Saint Faustina, at 723).
Sarah Raad
Apr 143 min read
Forgive
“‘Thank you, Lord, for placing my son Alvaro near me, who is so fond of me that he doesn't let me get away with a single thing!’” (Saint Josemaria).
Sarah Raad
Apr 133 min read
Vindicate
“I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?’” (Luke 18:8).
Sarah Raad
Apr 123 min read
Action
“'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty'.” (Luke 17:10).
Sarah Raad
Apr 112 min read
Sinners
“Priests have received a power which God has given neither to angels nor to archangels. It was said to them: ‘Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose, shall be loosed.’” (Saint John Chrysostom).
Sarah Raad
Apr 103 min read
Signs
“‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’” (Luke 17:20).
Sarah Raad
Apr 93 min read
Happiness
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:26).
Sarah Raad
Apr 82 min read
Funeral
“Your tears were collected by the angels and were placed in a golden chalice, and you will find them when you present yourself before God”… (Saint Padre Pio).
Sarah Raad
Apr 73 min read
Composed
“By your patience you will gain possession of your souls.” (Luke 21:19).
Sarah Raad
Apr 62 min read
Skin
“The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).
Sarah Raad
Apr 53 min read
Communion
Today the Lord my God is waiting, silently in the Tomb, and I am invited to stand vigil with the Communion of Saints, outside it…
Sarah Raad
Apr 43 min read
Mother
“Develop a lively devotion for Our Mother.” (Saint Josemaria, “Furrow”, at 691).
Sarah Raad
Apr 33 min read
Receive
“The blessing of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit accompanies us all day long, as we go about our simple, normal task of making holy all honest human activity. (Saint Josemaria, “Christ is passing by”, at 91).
Sarah Raad
Apr 23 min read
Us
I have missed seeing the miraculous Glory of God because I have been chasing a fly around the church with my eyes…
Sarah Raad
Apr 13 min read
Descent
“Jesus loaded the burden of all mankind’s guilt upon His shoulders; He bore it down into the depths of the Jordan.” (Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, “Jesus of Nazareth”).
Sarah Raad
Mar 313 min read
Broke
“While He was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” (Mark 14:3-5).
Sarah Raad
Mar 303 min read
Humility
Christ is Perfect God and Perfect Man.
Sarah Raad
Mar 293 min read
Brother
“‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:36-37).
Sarah Raad
Mar 283 min read
Withholding
Though it may seem cute to imagine a little boy stuffing his face with cake so as not to share it, I cannot help by feel it is not cute at all when I do this with my time and my talents in relation to my Beloved…
Sarah Raad
Mar 273 min read
Proof
“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).
Sarah Raad
Mar 253 min read
Clash
“They said, Caesar’s. Then He said to them, pay therefore to Caesar the things that are due to Caesar, and pay to God the things that are due to God.” (Matthew 22:21).
Sarah Raad
Mar 243 min read
Treasure
“Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” (Saint Teresa of Avila).
Sarah Raad
Mar 233 min read
With
“The disciple who lovingly seeks the Master finds that sadness, worries and afflictions now taste very differently: they disappear as soon as we truly accept God's Will...” (Saint Josemaria, “Friends of God”, at 310-311).
Sarah Raad
Mar 223 min read
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