Thirtieth Saturday of Ordinary Time

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’”

Humility is an important virtue for all of us to cultivate throughout our lives. We are constantly tempted to commit acts of pride, such as seeking to be recognized for the good we’ve done, bragging about our successes, etc. However, this is not what we are called to do. Jesus gives us a better way: the little way of humility. When we act out of meekness, rather than boasting, we imitate Christ’s model of spiritual modesty. This may be difficult for most of us to do, but it is necessary if we want to share in Jesus’ life. So the next time we are tempted to seek honor, let us remember that the honor of this world is nothing but chaff before God.

Do we continually cultivate a spirit of humbleness? What are we prideful about? How can we teach ourselves to be meek when confronted with these temptations?

O Lord, may we learn to be meek and mild, especially when confronted with the temptation to be prideful.

Amen.

Thirtieth Friday of Ordinary Time

On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.

Jesus knew that healing the man with dropsy would be frowned on by the Pharisees, but did it anyway because he does not care about the opinions of men. The only one he sought approval from was God the Father. He chose to do the right and good thing rather than the popular one. We, too, should be willing to do the right, but unpopular thing. It is tempting for us to sin by taking the easy way out or choosing to do nothing when presented with an opportunity to do a good, but unpopular thing. However, this is not what Jesus modeled for us in his life and so we should do everything within our power to know, love, or serve God and our neighbors.

Do we seek approval from the world or from God? When presented with an opportunity to be charitable and merciful toward others do we take it? Are we willing to do the right, but unpopular thing?

O Lord, give us the strength to do your will even in the midst of opposition.

Amen.

Thirtieth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’”

We all have a natural inclination to preserve our lives. We want to survive, to thrive, and to be successful. However, Jesus gives us another model to live by: a model of self-sacrifice. He isn’t afraid of being persecuted, tormented, and put to death. He is willing to suffer all of these things in order to cast out demons, perform healings, and accomplish his purpose. By worldly standards, he is heading towards ruin, but by heavenly ones he is heading towards glorification. So too, we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves to bear God into the world and to give witness to His Word. We must be willing to die for Christ, if we wish to live as good and faithful servants.

Have we asked God to give us the courage to do His Will? Are we willing to suffer in order to love God and bear Him into the lives of others? Are we willing to sacrifice our lives for God?

O Lord, let us accomplish your heavenly purpose.

Amen.

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Jesus is constantly praying in the gospels, especially before major events in his ministry. In this way, he gives us an example of how we should pray to him before making big decisions in our lives or when facing great tasks. He goes off by himself and prays on a mountain. We might not have a mountain nearby, but we too should make a point to retreat from the world from time to time in order to focus on God and pray to Him without distractions. He also spends the entire night praying to God. How many of us have done the same? Have we even prayed one hour to God? Perhaps we should find time each day to spend with God. It could be early in the morning before work, during a break in the afternoon, or even right before we go to bed. All we have to do is make the time for God and keep it holy and without distractions. Once we do this, we will be refreshed in the spirit and be able to make better decisions about our lives and become more like the Twelve Apostles.

Do we make time to pray to God, especially in the midst of our daily decisions? When we do pray, do we try to go to a deserted place so that we are not distracted? How much time do we spend with God each day?

O Lord, teach us how to pray.

Amen.

Thirtieth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

“What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

We all have the seeds of the Kingdom of God within us and as long as we faithfully tend to these seeds, remain hopeful, and cultivate them with love, then they will grow into trees of life. However, this is not an easy task. It requires constant vigilance on our parts as we guard against imperfection, temptation, and sin. We must also open the gates of our hearts to God so that He can nurture our virtues and prune away our vices. We cannot grow in the Kingdom of God without the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit protecting, teaching, and inspiring us.

Are we open to God tending to the seed of faith within us? Do we allow Him to cultivate the good within us, while weeding out the evil? Are we a shelter of God’s Love and Mercy for others?

O Lord, plant your Kingdom within the gardens of our souls.

Amen.

Thirtieth Monday of Ordinary Time

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.

We all have infirmities. Some are physical, others emotional, and still more are spiritual. We are bound by these trials of body, mind, and spirit, but Jesus is always ready and willing to release us. All we have to do is present ourselves before him and he will do the rest. But how do we present ourselves to God? Hopefully, we do so through the sacraments, especially the reception of the Eucharist at Mass and regular acts of reconciliation. We also do so through our prayers and our daily acts of charity and mercy. Every good thought, word, and work we do brings us before Jesus and is an opportunity to allow Jesus to heal us of our imperfections and sins.

What are our infirmities of body, mind, or spirit? Do we make an effort to present ourselves and our problems to God every day? Do we make this a priority in our lives?

O Lord, set us free from our infirmities.

Amen.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me." And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."

Bartimaeus gives us an example of how we should call out to Jesus in our daily lives. We may not be physically blind, but our sins can make us spiritually blind. When this happens all we can do is seek out Jesus and ask him to have pity on us. Just as Bartimaeus, we will face rebukes by friends, families, and neighbors who won’t understand our desire for God’s help. However, if we persist in our belief in Jesus and trust in his mercy, then we will be called to God and He will answer our prayers. Then we will be able to take courage and know God will grant us what we need in order to do His Will in all things.

Do we call out to God when we are in need? Do we allow others to intimidate us into not living out our faith? How can we take courage in Christ?

O Lord, we call upon you, have mercy on us.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Saturday of Ordinary Time

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

Bad things happen to good people, just as good things happen to bad people. God does not cause suffering, nor does He condone all our actions. We cause suffering by our sins and though we might not understand why some trial comes our way, we should not blame God for it. He not only lets us choose to love Him, but also allows us to deny Him, too. He loves us too much to force us to do anything. This is why there are times when we are tempted to take the easy way out. But there is always a cost to our actions. The question is whether we are sacrificing ourselves for others or others for ourselves. Hopefully, it is the former, but if we do fall into sin, we should always remember God loves us no matter how often we fail or how great our fall. All we have to do is return to Him with contrite hearts and do penance for our sins.

Do we think we are better than others? Do we realize that our trials and tribulations are not God’s fault, but rather the result of our sins and those of the rest of mankind? Are we ready to repent so we might live with God forever and ever?

O Lord, preserve us from sin and death.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Friday of Ordinary Time

“When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

The world is so familiar to us, so much easier to read and understand than God, but what does our knowledge of it gain us? It might help us to survive, to know how to get ahead in the world, but it does not complete us in the same way that God can. The things of this world might be enjoyable for a moment, but when they are over the pleasure they give dissipates and we are left with an emptiness that cannot be filled by anything other than God. Our Lord is not only the source of our life, but also its sustenance and purpose. We are incomplete when we deny God and instead focus our lives on worldly things. So let us open our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies to God’s Good News so that we might live life more abundantly.

Do we spend more time living according to the signs of the world or walking the path God has prepared for us? Are we focused on passing pleasures or the everlasting love of God? Are we open to the opportunities for grace that God constantly offers us?

O Lord, help us to know your will and lead lives focused on knowing, loving, and serving you and all your children.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!”

Just like Christ, we should all be ablaze with the desire to see God’s Will accomplished. We are all called to be lights burning with the love, mercy, and grace of God, setting the world around us on fire with our faith, hope, and charity. We also must be willing to be baptized in whatever manner that God chooses for us. We might be asked to suffer physical trials or spiritual tribulations for the greater glory of God. However, we should be willing to undergo all things and undertake all tasks to fulfill God’s Divine Plan for us. We might not understand why we are called to do certain things and we may fall out of favor with our family and friends because of our devotion to Christ, but in the end the sufferings will be well worth the eternal reward. The pleasures and pains of this world are fleeting and pass away, but God’s love is forever.

Are we ablaze with Christ? Are we willing to be baptized by trials and suffering? What do we need to do to see God’s Will accomplished?

O Lord, set us on fire with your love.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

“Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

None of us know when the end will come for us and as such we should be constantly vigilant against temptation and sin. We, like the master of the house, must prepare ourselves through building up virtuous habits and being focused on knowing, loving, and serving God with all our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. We also should live our lives in the hope that God will find us ready when He comes for us either in the second coming or at the end of our lives.

Are we prepared against sin? What can we do to build up our virtues? If we were to die today, would we be able to honestly say we have been good and faithful servants?

O Lord, give us the graces we need to be vigilant against all temptation and sin.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”

We must be vigilant in awaiting the return of Christ. We do this by clothing ourselves in faith, lighting the lamps of hope within our souls, and being open to loving God and His children. When we do these things, we become good and faithful servants whom God will wait upon when the Day of Judgment arrives. This doesn’t mean we should expect to be given graces and gifts in this life, but rather when we pass onto the next life we will have the hope that our hearts will be filled to the brim with the love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So let us be prepared to receive Jesus into our hearts at every hour so that we might be blessed by the love, mercy, and grace of the Holy Trinity.

Are we girded in faith? Are our hearts lit with the light of hope? How do we keep vigilant in love in the face of our selfish temptations?

O Lord, give us the grace to be always on watch for you, in whomever we meet.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.

Jesus warns us to guard against all greed. This, of course, is easier said than done, but nonetheless we are all asked to undertake this herculean task. Greed comes in many forms. Sometimes our greed is so subtle it is difficult to recognize if we do not take a step back from life and ask God for help in becoming generous people. We all fall into the trap of greed. Sometimes we get upset with others for “wasting” our time. Other times we become so focused on achieving a goal or obtaining an object that we do not stop to ask ourselves what goods we are sacrificing in order to get these things. Perhaps we feel like we deserve to have something, but if we are truly honest with ourselves we are not entitled to anything. All the goods we have are gifts from God. We did not do anything to truly earn them. God is the source of our success and inspiration. So when we demand our “fair” share, we are letting the sin of greed talk through us. Instead, we should be thankful for what little we have and happily surprised when we receive other gifts from God. This is the difference between expectation and hope. Greed makes us expect success and possessions, while hope is always grateful for whatever God gives us.

Are we greedy in our dealings with God and others? Or do we always give thanks for even the littlest gifts God provides for us? Are we children of expectation or hope?

O Lord, guard us against all greed so that we might become rich in your spiritual gifts.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Just like James and John, we too should desire to drink the cup of Christ and be baptized by sharing in his sufferings. When we accept the cup God is offering, we accept God’s Will for us and choose to be baptized by the trials and tribulations that come when we choose to be good and faithful servants. It is not always easy to accept the troubles that come from doing good works. It seems counter-intuitive, shouldn’t we be rewarded for doing the right thing? But God does not promise us worldly consolations and He cannot give us the understanding of others and so sometimes we are persecuted for being faithful to God. However, we should not let these sufferings keep us from doing good. Consolations will come, just not always in the manner and time we want them to. So let us be willing to accept whatever comes our way, confident that in the end God will provide us the strength to suffer for His glory and overcome all obstacles to doing His Will.

Are we willing to drink the cup God has prepared for us? Are we willingly to suffer without complaint? Do we trust God enough to love Him no matter what trials come our way?

O Lord, grant us the strength to drink the cup you have prepared for us.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.”

We are constantly given opportunities to acknowledge or deny Jesus before others. Every word we speak and work we perform reflects our hearts and whether they are with God or against Him. Hopefully, our speech echoes the message of the gospel and our actions mirror those Jesus undertook in his life. Of course we are not always perfect manifestations of God’s Love and Mercy, but even when we fall under the weight of our own crosses, we should imitate our Lord by standing up and continuing our journey towards Cavalry.

Do we acknowledge God before others? In what ways do we deny Him? How can we accept Him more faithfully and become better reflections of His Love, Mercy, and Grace?

O Lord, give us the strength and courage to acknowledge you now and forever.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Friday of Ordinary Time

There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Sometimes we are tempted to talk about someone behind their back or do something in secret because we know someone else won’t like what we are doing, but nothing goes unseen by God. All our lies, gossip, betrayals, etc. are on constant display before God. Nothing gives us the right to say or do anything hurtful in secret. We might convince ourselves that we aren’t hurting anyone, but deep inside we know that words as well as works can hurt others. This is why it is so important to be honest and upright in our dealings with others and should never judge them. Judging is for God alone. At the same time, we should not think that our sins do not have consequences for others. Even the most private of sins injures our relationship with God and our family, friends, and neighbors. There is no such thing as a victimless crime. So let us be good and faithful servants living in the light of the gospel and proclaiming it in our every thought, word, and work.

What do we do when we are tempted to talk about someone else behind their back? What do we do when others start to gossip or judge? Do we try to make amends with others when we sin against them?

O Lord, we want to live in your love and proclaim your good news from the housetops.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Therefore, the wisdom of God said, “I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building.”

Jesus reminds his audience that their ancestors persecuted the prophets, believing what they were doing was the right thing. Just like their forefathers, the scholars and Pharisees think they know right from wrong. They see Jesus as a threat rather than as a savior and so they put all of their energies into interrogating and plotting against him. They have made themselves judges of good and evil just as Adam and Eve did and this is why Jesus tells them that they will be charged with the blood of all the prophets from Abel to Zechariah. They have condemned themselves by making themselves into judges, a right only God has. Just like the scholars and the Pharisees, we too are constantly tempted to make judgments against others. Of course, the judgments we make against others will also be made against us on the Day of Judgment. So let us not make ourselves into judges, but rather let us be like the prophets, proclaiming the gospel through our words and works.

Do we make judgments against others or persecute them for their faults? Do we do confront others’ sins in a spirit of love or do we do so in a judgmental manner? Are we willing to be sent out into the world like the prophets to proclaim the gospel?

O Lord, send us into the world as your prophets.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others.”

Sometimes in life we can become so focused on worldly matters or fulfilling our obligations that we forget to pay attention to good judgment and to the love of God. We lose ourselves in work and worries and before we know it we are in a place in our lives where sin and shortsightedness have taken over. It is so easy for us to fall into the gears of the world and have love slowly crushed out of us in the daily grind. When we find ourselves overworked or losing focus on the big picture of leading Christ-like lives, we need to take a step back, relax, and renew our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. We can do this through prayer and mediation and by talking to those in our lives who are examples of Christ.

Have we taken a step back in our lives to reassess what’s really important? Are we still open to allowing God to help us make our daily decisions? What do we do to keep our lives’ work and responsibilities in perspective?

O Lord, give us your good judgment and unwavering love.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

God knows our hearts. We cannot fool Him by pretending to be good or righteous. Just because we might do the right thing doesn’t necessarily mean that we do it for the right reasons. It is not just what we do, but why we do it that matters to God. This is why Jesus focuses on giving alms to others. It is not enough to tend to our own physical and spiritual cleanliness. We must also be aware of the physical and spiritual wellbeing of our family, friends, and neighbors. We should constantly be on the lookout for opportunities to help others and not seek anything in return. If we know, love, and serve our fellow children of God as we should, then everything will be clean for us because we are imitating Jesus through our actions.

Where are our hearts? Are they with Jesus or the world? How can we cultivate a lifestyle that is founded upon giving alms and doing good for the right reasons?

O Lord, give us the graces we need to transform ourselves into perfect almsgivers, holding nothing back and never expecting in return.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Monday of Ordinary Time

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”

The life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus are all the signs we need to repent. When we look at how Jesus lived his life and was willing to die for us in spite of our sins, we should have only one response: gratitude. We should not be looking for signs beyond the ones presented to us in the gospel. The miracles presented to us in the gospel should be enough for us to believe with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. When we hear the word of God spoken to us during mass or when we read it in the Bible, we should rejoice at the saving graces God has given us through Jesus.

What lessons about repentance can we learn from the Jesus’ life, passion, death, and resurrection? Do we turn to God and the wisdom of the Scriptures for guidance or to worldly signs that can lead us astray? Do we listen to the Word of God when it is shared with us in the Mass?

O Lord, you are the only sign we need.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

We must be willing to give up everything to do God’s Will. If we aren’t, we will be like the man who has kept the commandments, but cannot let go of his worldly possessions and follow Christ. We might not realize it, but every day we are given the same choice: follow God or follow the world like the man in today’s gospel. We might be good and follow all the commandments, but our attachments to this world keep us from following the Golden rules—to love God and our neighbors with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. However, sacrificing our attachments to this world also opens us up to the gifts and graces that come from leading the Christ-like life. Jesus promises us that whatever we sacrifice now will be repaid a hundred times more. Of course, there will be persecutions along the way, but eternal life in the age to come will be well worth the sufferings we are being asked to undertake.

Are we willing to sacrifice our worldly possessions or are we possessed by them? If we are having trouble letting go and letting God, then how can we cultivate a spirit of detachment? Are we willing to suffer in order to imitate Christ and attain eternal life?

O Lord, we are willing to give everything up for you and the sake of your gospels.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Saturday of Ordinary Time

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Jesus reminds us that blessings come from hearing the word of God and observing it and not any worldly connections people might have with him. In this light, we can see that rather than being a rebuke of his mother this statement is actually a reinforcement of his mother’s blessedness. After all, who among us has heard the Word of God and observed it as well as Mary did in her own most humble and obedient life? So it is only natural that we should take Mary as our model for living the Christ-like life. She shows us (through her fiat, hidden life, and suffering at the foot of the cross) how to make our lives into a living “Yes!” to God, to be gratefully humble, and to suffer with patience and without complaint.

Do we listen to the word of God and observe it? How can we learn to be humble and obedient like Mary? Are we ready and willing to give our fiat to God?

O Lord, open our ears to your word.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Friday of Ordinary Time

When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

The stronger man is Jesus, who overcomes the Devil and scatters him and his minions. Jesus lays down the gauntlet to us in this gospel. He tells us plainly that we are either with him or against him. There is no middle ground. We cannot sit upon the fence and let opportunities to gather good fruits with Christ to pass us buy. If we do this, then in the end we will be empty handed. Whenever we have a great or small success in our spiritual lives we must remember it is not enough. We cannot rest on our laurels. We must instead double our guard. So let us welcome Jesus into our hearts so that he might defend us against sin and tepidity and show us how to truly know, love, and serve God and His children.

Have we let Jesus into our hearts? Do we let God help us overcome and scatter our sins? Are we with God or against Him?

O Lord, we are with you and ready to gather in your name.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Thursday of Ordinary Time

“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

Once again Jesus reminds us that persistence pays off and as long as we persist in seeking God’s Will and being good and faithful servants, then we will eventually succeed in doing both. It might not be easy, in fact, it will probably require a lot of work and worry, but the pay off in the end will be worth all the time, effort, and suffering to reach these goals. We must constantly pray to God for the graces we need to do penance, sin no more, avoid those things that lead us into temptation, and to do the right thing. God will give us what we need. We have only to ask for it repeatedly, accept it when it comes, and put it to good use.

Are we persistent in our prayers of petition and penance? Do we constantly seek God’s Will in our lives? Are we willing to accept the trials and tribulations that come with doing the good and right thing?

O Lord, give us the courage to persist in our faith and always seek your will.

Amen.

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

We can all learn a lot about how to pray from Jesus. In a world where silence, rest, and praying are seen as wastes of time, we can forget that all these are necessary to be a true follower of Christ. When we pray we need silence, not just in the world around us, but also in our own minds. We need to push aside as many distractions as possible so that we can focus on God. This isn’t to say that we won’t have unbidden thoughts, but that when they do come we make every effort to ignore them and give ourselves completely to God in our prayer. Hand-in-hand with silence is the need for resting in the Lord. We need to slow things downs and take time to seek solace in God’s presence. We can’t do that if we are constantly busying ourselves with projects. Doing good works can be exhausting and at times we can forget to focus on why we are charitable and merciful toward others. When we lose sight of why we do the right thing, we fail to appreciate our participation in God’s Grace. This is why God gives us the concept of a Sabbath—a day of rest. We might not be able to take our rest on Sunday, but should make a point to rest with God at some point and time during the week. Once we have silence and rest, then our prayers will be more focused and fruitful. We will be able to pray to our Father in a more meaningful way, to partake in His Eucharist with more passion, and forgive others more readily.

Do we seek silence every day so that we can better focus on God? Do we make time to rest in God every day? How can we minimize the distractions that keep us from praying with our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strengths?

O Lord, teach us how to pray.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha and Mary welcome Jesus in different ways; Martha welcomes Jesus physically into her home, while Mary welcomes him spiritually into her heart. Martha tends to the outward needs of Jesus, while Mary opens her heart to be tended to by Jesus. Sometimes we can be so focused on serving others and providing for their physical well-being that we forget what really needs tending: the person’s spirit. If we feed a person’s body, but not their soul they may survive, but they will not thrive or truly live. It is good for us to take care of the needs of the poor and needy, but it is better to love God and to pay Him the attention He deserves. Of course, if we love God properly, then we will naturally come to know, love, and serve His children, but not with a focus only on the physical, but rather a focus on the entire person's body, mind, and soul.

Are we focused on material or spiritual things? How can we better concentrate on God and the spiritual needs of His children? Do we spend time each day listening at the feet of our Lord as Mary did?

O Lord, give us the patience to listen to your gospel and live it out.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Monday of Ordinary Time

“But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”

Who are our neighbors? That is the question posed to Jesus and in response he gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan. We see two people, a priest and a Levite, who represent religious and righteous people pass by the beaten man. They did not stop to tend his wounds. Instead, they passed by on the opposite side. Perhaps they didn’t stop because they didn’t want to be made ritually unclean by the man’s blood. Or maybe because they were afraid the robbers were still around. Perhaps they thought it was a trick. No matter the reason they didn’t stop, they let their own personal selfishness overrule their hearts. They let pride or fear trump compassion. Jesus calls us to know, love, and serve our fellow children of God no matter what the circumstances. We are asked to be like the Good Samaritan and recognize our neighbor in all whom we meet no matter how disfigured (physically or emotionally) they might be. We cannot follow in Jesus’ footsteps if we do not approach those in most need of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace and care for them to the best of our abilities. We should be willing to give our time, talents, and treasures to God and His children. This is how we become good and faithful servants of God and neighbors to our fellow man.

Who are our neighbors? Who do we have the most difficulty being compassionate to? What are we doing in our lives to cultivate a spirit of compassion and care?

O Lord, give us your compassionate heart so that we might love others as we should.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate."

Sometimes we harden our hearts to the commandments of God because they are “too hard.” However, all of God’s commandments are for our own good. They teach us how to be reverent, respectful, and responsible to God and all His children. This one commandment against divorce hasn’t been a popular one from the time Jesus first gave it, but he wasn’t preaching the gospel to be popular. He was preaching it to save souls, to give an example of holiness, and inspire us to better lives. This goes beyond the issue of divorce to the issue of trusting in God. This doesn’t mean staying in an abusive relationship (physical or otherwise), but rather that we shouldn’t enter or exit a marriage or any relationship without trying everything within our power to love each other properly.

Have we hardened our hearts to certain commandments of God? If so, then how can we soften our hearts and come to trust in Him more than our own judgment? Have we taken Jesus’ example of living out his Father’s Will to heart?

O Lord, soften our hearts so that we might come to know, love, and serve you and your children as we should.

Amen.

Twenty-Sixth Saturday of Ordinary Time

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

We shouldn’t rejoice in our gifts from God to the exclusion of being gracious for God’s saving grace. God gives gifts to all His children. However, only those who recognize His voice in their hearts and follow it will be given the grace of everlasting life. We can have all the talents and treasures in the world, but without a spirit of humble contrition and endless gratitude, we won’t be able to accept the saving grace God offers us. We must open ourselves in order to receive this grace and that means focusing our lives not on our successes, but rather on the spirit of love behind our actions.

What gifts have God given us? Do we rejoice not only in those gifts, but in the saving grace God’s given us? In what spirit do we speak our words and do our works?

O Lord, write our names in heaven.

Amen.

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

We all have a guardian angel watching over us, but do we ever speak to them? Perhaps we should take time each day to be mindful of our guardian angels and ask for their help in listening to Our Lord, doing God’s Will, and overcoming the temptations that hound us. These angels are not only our guardians, but also spiritual guides, who know how best to know, love, and serve God and His children. So let us make use of them!

Do we pray for the intercession of our guardian angels? Do we thank them for the help they give us each day? Do we ask for their help in overcoming our trials and temptations?

O Lord, thank you for giving us all guardian angels to watch over us and protect us.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

Jesus knows that being his disciple isn’t easy. He is truly sending all of us among wolves. Every day of our lives is fraught with temptations, persecutions, and trials. However, we must not be disheartened by the opposition we encounter. We also must not depend upon worldly things or people. Instead we should depend upon God and trust that His Providential Plan will protect our souls in the midst of our mission to bring God’s message to all whom we meet. No matter where we go and who we met, we are being called upon to bring peace to others and help them to rest in the Lord’s grace.

Are we willing to go out into the world and face the wolves? Have we put our trust in God? Do we bear the peace of God wherever we go and to whomever we speak with?

O Lord, let us depend completely upon you and bear your peace wherever we go.

Amen.