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[Gilbert Dabari @SkyVirginSon]

THE CATHOLIC RULE OF LIFE I WISH SOMEONE HAD TAUGHT ME SOONER

A few years ago, I thought becoming a better Catholic meant learning more.

More theology.

More apologetics.

More books.

More Catholic content.

Those things are good.

But I eventually discovered something surprising.

Most saints did not become saints because they knew more.

They became saints because they consistently did a few simple things every day.

That realization changed how I view the spiritual life.

So after studying Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the lives of the saints, I began noticing a pattern.

Different saints.

Different centuries.

Different personalities.

Yet they all built their lives around the same foundations.

If someone asked me today:

“How do I actually live like Jesus Christ every day?”

This is the framework I would share.

And honestly, it is the framework I am still trying to live myself.

1. GIVE GOD THE FIRST MOMENT OF YOUR DAY

Before the notifications.

Before the messages.

Before the news.

Before social media.

Give God the first moment.

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Thank Him for another day.

Offer everything to Him.

The first voice you hear should not be the world.

It should be God.

2. READ THE GOSPEL BEFORE YOU READ OPINIONS

One verse.

One paragraph.

One chapter.

Whatever you can manage.

The point is simple:

Let Christ shape your mind before the world shapes it for you.

Many of us spend hours consuming information and only minutes receiving formation.

That imbalance affects everything.

3. PROTECT THE STATE OF GRACE LIKE YOUR GREATEST TREASURE

Because it is.

The Church teaches that sanctifying grace is God's own life within the soul.

Nothing on earth is worth losing that.

Not success.

Not money.

Not pleasure.

Not popularity.

Go to Confession regularly.

Take sin seriously.

Take God's mercy even more seriously.

4. BUILD YOUR LIFE AROUND THE EUCHARIST

The saints never got tired of speaking about the Eucharist.

Neither should we.

The closer they drew to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the more they began to resemble Him.

Sunday Mass is the minimum.

Not the goal.

If possible, attend daily Mass.

Visit Jesus in Adoration.

Stay after Communion.

Speak to Him.

Listen to Him.

Remain with Him.

5. STOP LOOKING FOR HOLINESS IN EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

Most holiness happens in ordinary moments.

Being patient when you are tired.

Forgiving when you would rather hold a grudge.

Remaining kind when someone is difficult.

Serving when nobody notices.

The saints did not become saints because they did spectacular things every day.

They became saints because they loved God in ordinary circumstances.

6. CARRY YOUR CROSS INSTEAD OF RUNNING FROM IT

Every day brings a cross.

A disappointment.

A struggle.

A wound.

A sacrifice.

A burden nobody else sees.

Modern culture says:

“Avoid suffering.”

Jesus says:

“Follow Me.”

The difference is enormous.

One path seeks comfort.

The other seeks transformation.

[s @seansbeach]

@hicasamadim 70

[Trad West @trad_west_]

This is one of the unknown miracles of the Tilma of Guadalupe: The stars on her mantle aren't decoration, they are a music.

The stars on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe perfectly align with the constellations over Mexico on December 12, 1531. The stars are arranged in emmission (as if viewed from outside the solar system, looking toward Earth) rather than reflection (as seen from Earth's surface looking up).

But there is a hidden code. If you take the position of the stars and the flowers on her dress and place them on a musical staff, they create a perfect, harmonious melody.

It is literally a song from Heaven. Listen:

[Adam | Faithful Messenger @Adam_FaithfulM]

In 1986, The American Medical Association published an article titled "The Physical Death of Jesus Christ". It details the entire process of Jesus' trial to His death on the cross.

In Luke 22, before Jesus is arrested, it is written that He was in great distress & sweating blood. Although rare, it is recognized as Hematidrosis, caused by high amounts of stress.

At the time, the crucifixion was considered the worst death for the worst of criminals. But this is not all Jesus faced. He endured whipping so severe that it tore the flesh from His body. He was beaten so horribly that His face was torn & His beard ripped.

A crown of thorns, 2-3 inches long cut deeply into His scalp. The leather whip used to flog Him had tiny iron balls & sharp bones. The balls caused internal injuries while the sharp bones ripped open His flesh. His skeletal muscles, veins, & bowels are exposed, causing major blood loss. Most men do not survive this kind of torture. After Jesus was severely flogged, He was forced to carry His cross while people mocked & spat on Him.

Crucifixion was a process meant to instill excruciating pain, creating a slow & agonizing death. Nails as long as 8 inches were driven into Jesus' wrists & feet. The Roman soldiers knew the tendon in the wrists would tear & break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support Himself to breathe. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the courage...Jesus endured this reality for 3 hours!

The Gospel of John writes that after Jesus' death, a Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear & blood & water came out. Scientists explain that from hypovolemic shock, the rapid heart rate causes fluid to gather in the sack around the lungs & heart. The gathering of fluid in the membrane around the heart is called Pericardial effusion & the lungs, Pleural effusion.

To the world, Christianity is as foolish as it can get. They believe it's for the weak. But when you are confronted by the reality of the cross, it's clearly not a pretty sight. It is brutal & horrific.

This is the weight Jesus carried. The weight of the sins of the world, all so that we can live. God's wrath is fully satisfied in Jesus. This is what it took. Repent & believe! Jesus is “God among us” in the flesh. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus loves you so much, He went through this spiritual and physical punishment for your sins and mine.

Jesus is the LORD, Almighty God, Everlasting Father.

Thank You, Jesus.

[Saint Adaugoijele ✝️ @JustAdaugoijele]

Catholics should pray these prayers every day..

Pray with me 🙏

[s @seansbeach]

@KittyMalibuStrg Makena Beach Maui??

[Boston College Baseball @BCBirdBall]

#Birdball🦅 Lineup

💻 https://t.co/wRRFNRLhRf
📊 https://t.co/BzuN8HvhDy

[Trosky @NateTrosky]

FIELD TURF USA! The demise of the American infielder? 7 of the top 10 MLB SS’s come from countries with natural surfaces. This Dominican sandlot teaches Anticipation, Toughness, & Reactions, key qualities turf fields don’t teach. Find your sandlot & get better! @DirtBrosInfield

[Will Middlebrooks @middlebrooks]

THIS is it!

[The Podcast About D3 Baseball @D3BaseballPod]

1.000 is still alive! quality at-bat and a single to CF, Harrington 1-1 on the day (with some good D-III chatter on the broadcast as well)

[Business Insider India🇮🇳 @BiIndia]

#Space | It took over a decade and 1,000 hours of photography to create this picture of the #MilkyWay

https://t.co/6uNpfkEB9Z

By @pabsgill

[Northwestern Athletics @NU_Sports]

Every rep has led to this.

#GoCats | @B_Gallagher41

[Troy Silva @TroyPSilva]

Coaches don't control how hard you work
Parents don't control your time management
Trainers don't control how often you lift
Teachers don't control your effort in the classroom
ONLY YOU DO
Accept responsibility for your OWN actions & u might give yourself a chance!
#BaseballTruth

[Ray Dalio @RayDalio]

This is a principle that I wrote many years ago that I think is worth reflecting on now.

Ultimately, power will rule. This is true of any system. (1/3)

[NFL @NFL]

DK Metcalf is FREAKY FAST. @dkm14

📺: #SEAvsAZ on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/FSTZl0ocgC

[Coach Simoes @ssimoes222]

we should be retweeting more images like this

[Marianne Brandon @drbrandon]

It’s not just what you #say, but how you say it that counts. Speaking to your #partner in an irritated or #disrespectful #voice will cause them to want #emotional #distance from you. #relationships #advice

[Babson Athletics @BabsonAthletics]

.@BabsonBaseball senior Sean Harrington talks about his final week on campus and the cancellation of the 2020 @NCAACWS season.
#GoBabo #SeniorNight

[Gerry Callahan @GerryCallahan]

Dementia is so fucking cruel. There are sweet moments, but there are also those brutal moments when the afflicted understand that they are trapped in this nightmare. This poor woman seems to be experiencing it all in 30 seconds. Rips your heart out