In prayer we’re often so busy telling God what we want we don’t hear what God wants–including what God wants to give us. So we learn to listen and not lose heart.

Happiness doesn’t lead to gratitude: it’s the other way around. Practice giving thanks–not just feeling but giving thanks– and you’ll find yourself happier.

We are to serve, not to be served. That may sound overwhelming, but don’t worry. It’s not dependent on our abilities, but on the one living Spirit is in each of us. That Spirit is in the people we serve. When we dare to meet ourselves in the needy people we serve–seeing ourselves as just as needy as they are, and just as gifted– we open ourselves to God’s miracle-working power. because we are all one, we are all powerful.

Our privilege blinds us to other people’s reality. But compassion opens our eyes and links us as siblings at the same table.

We can be burdened by thoughts of ways we don’t give God what we “ought.” But we don’t “owe” God anything. It’s all a gift.

Our souls are always searching for God. Don’t give up the search: God is always seeking and finding us, because we are of great worth to God.

Jesus says, “I have come to bring division, not peace” Sounds like dangerous words for times like ours. But he doesn’t mean violence or enmity. He’s talking about the courage to stand up to peer pressure, to be true to God to ourselves, and stay faithful to our calling even when others don’t agree with us.

What makes a life worthwhile? Not your possessions, not your accomplishments, but that you are part of the real presence of infinite divine love. You are part of God, so you can be generous in life, and “rich toward God.”