 | To Parents and Catechists: This experience challenges young people to reflect more deeply on the "clutter" in their everyday lives. |  Moving On: Saint Clare of Assisi
If you were very rich, would you give up all you have to live a life of poverty? That is exactly what Saint Clare of Assisi chose to do. When she was eighteen, Clare met Saint Francis of Assisi. His example inspired her to leave her life of wealth and comfort for Jesus. Clare chose to live a poor, simple life so that she could grow spiritually rich in love for God and others.
Listen to God's Word
There is a time and a place for everything
...a time for finding and a time for losing;
...a time for keeping and a time for throwing away.
From Ecclesiastes 3:6
In the Quiet of Your Heart
Talk to God quietly about some choices you have made. - Which choices have brought you closer to God?
- Which choices have "cluttered" or gotten in the way of your friendship with God?
Imagine you are cleaning your room. You are getting organized. You have a bag marked "Clutter" and a box marked "Keepsakes." Put all the choices that have gotten in the way of your friendship with God in the bag. Throw that bag away. Now put all your good choices in the "Keepsake" box. Carry that box with you in your heart because it is filled with your spiritual riches.  Listen to God's Word
Jesus says, "Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth where
they may be taken away. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven
where they are safe. If your riches are in heaven, your heart will be
there too." From Matthew 6:19-21
Pray to Jesus
Ask Jesus to help you store up the riches that really count. Each day, pray quietly in your heart:
Jesus, Friend and Brother,
day by day, three things I pray—
to see you more clearly,
to love you more dearly,
to follow you more nearly,
day by day.
From Saint Richard of Chichester
My Prayer Goes On
At the end of each day, sort through the choices you have made. Decide what selfish choices you will throw away. Decide what loving choices you will keep in your heart. Return to Spirituality Resources Index  www.sadlier.com/main.htm
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