Week of May 19

"Remain steadfast in the journey of faith, with firm hope in the Lord. This is the secret of our journey! He gives us the courage to swim against the tide. To go against the current; this is good for the heart, but we need courage to swim against the tide. Jesus gives us this courage! There are no difficulties, trials or misunderstandings to fear, provided we remain united to God as branches to the vine, provided we do not lose our friendship with him, provided we make ever more room for him in our lives. This is especially so whenever we feel poor, weak and sinful, because God grants strength to our weakness, riches to our poverty, conversion and forgiveness to our sinfulness. The Lord is so rich in mercy: every time, if we go to him, he forgives us. We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for little things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals! The Holy Spirit is truly transforming us, and through us he also wants to transform the world in which we live."

~Pope Francis
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130428_omelia-cresime_en.html