Sunday, January 31, 2016

The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”

In this gospel, we are given the example of people who initially speak highly of Jesus, but because of their familiarity with him, they expect him to perform miracles for them just as he did in Capernaum. However, Jesus tells them that there will be no miracle for them. The people in the synagogue were filled with fury at this and tried to kill him, but Jesus walks away from them unharmed. Just like the people in the synagogue, we can sometimes begin to expect God to take care of our problems and console us as a sign of his love. But God’s Love is a gift freely given. We cannot demand how and when He manifests His Love for us. In addition, just because God loves us does not mean He will do everything we want, when we want it, and exactly the way we want it. Sometimes sacrifice and sufferings on our part are necessary for our spiritual growth. Also, God never forces us to follow His Will, and as such He allows us to doubt Him and deny His Love just as the people in the synagogue did so long ago. He lets us grow furious with Him, while He continues to love us in spite of our complaints. Perhaps we would do better if we complained less and loved more.

Do we expect God to perform miracles or give us consolations in our lives? Are we willing to see our sacrifices and sufferings, not as punishment or abandonment by God, but as opportunities to grow in our faith? What can we do to remind ourselves of God’s Love even when things aren’t going our way?

O Lord, cure us of our impatience and demanding natures.

Amen.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Third Saturday of Ordinary Time

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet!  Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Sometimes when we are undergoing a trial, we become afraid, doubtful, and even feel abandoned. We might be tempted to wonder if God cares for us or why He would let us suffer. However, God never deserts us. He is always with us waiting for us to trust in him. And if we do trust in Him, we will be rewarded with peaceful hearts that can weather any storm. So the next time we feel anxious or forsaken by God, we should have faith that He will see us through our trials and safely to where we need to be. He will not let us perish so let our hearts be at peace in the knowledge that if we have faith in God, we have nothing to fear.

What are we afraid of and doubtful about? What can we do to remind ourselves of God’s Presence even in the midst of our trials? How can we build up our faith so that it can weather the storms of life?

O Lord, quiet our hearts and give us the faith to be good and faithful servants.

Amen.

Friday, January 29, 2016

Third Friday of Ordinary Time

This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.

God provides each of us the graces we need to grow in our faith and one day we will all be harvested and the fruit of our lives will be weighed out. Some of us will bear much fruit and some will have very little to show for their lives. As we go throughout our days, we should constantly be on the watch for opportunities to nourish our faith and grow as followers of Christ. These chances to do God’s work will come in various ways and in different places and times. Some will require small sacrifices of our time, talents, and treasures. Others will ask us to risk or change our lives for the good of others. Whatever God is calling us to do, we must prepare ourselves and be ready to go where God is leading us and do what He wants us to do. This fidelity to our Heavenly Father is the only way for us to flourish as Christians and yield good fruit.

What are we doing to grow in our faith? What opportunities for spiritual growth are present in our lives? What are we willing to sacrifice in order to bear good fruit?

O Lord, give us the graces to grow and yield good fruit throughout our lives.

Amen.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.

Our faith should never be hidden from others. It should be upheld so that its light can lead others to God. This does not mean we flaunt it or force it on others, but rather we are not afraid to act like Christ in both our public and private lives. When people see us, they should see Jesus in our thoughts, words, and works. These manifestations of God’s Love for and mercy towards His children should constantly flow from our actions. Too often we hide our faith from others, but Jesus calls us to go forth into the world and bear the light of God's Truth to everyone we meet. We cannot do that if we are not willing to risk ourselves completely for him and his gospel message.

Do we hide our faith from others? How do we manifest God’s Love and Mercy for others? Are we willing to risk everything to bear the light of truth into the world?

O Lord, lift us up so that we can bear your light into the world?

Amen.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Third Wednesday of Ordinary Time

The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.

God constantly scatters the seeds of His Word onto the soil of our souls. How we receive His message is up to us. Some of us allow Satan to take away our belief in God and His Divine Truths. Others of us harden our hearts to God’s calling so the seeds of faith never take root in us. Still more of us are in the midst of the thorns of anxiety, fear, doubt, temptation, and the like and let our worldly worries choke the good we could and should do. A few of us are like rich soil, we hear the word, accept it, and go forth into the world to bear fruit in God’s Holy Name. However, during our lives we are not always the same type of soil. Some days we are fruitful, but other days we let the thorns of the world strangle the good we could have done. When our souls are becoming thorny, rocky, or trodden by sin, we should seek help from our family, friends, and neighbors, but also from the Church and its sacraments, especially Reconciliation and Communion. These two sacraments restore and sustain us. Reconciliation tills the soil of our soil, breaking up its hardness and weeding out those temptations and sins that choke our faith. This prepares us to not only receive the Word of God, but also the Bread of Life and Wine of Salvation. Together, these sacraments replenish our souls and make them ready to bear good fruit again and again.

How do we receive God’s Word into our lives? How can we prepare the soil of our souls to accept God’s Divine Grace so we can bear good fruit? Do we make use of the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and Communion to maintain and sustain our faith?

O Lord, we hear and accept your word and with your help we will bear much fruit.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Our spiritual kinship with Jesus should be at the center of our lives. When we do God’s Will, we proclaim our connection with Jesus and accept him not only as our Lord and Savior, but also as our brother. Just like any relationship, we have to work at it constantly if we do not want to weaken and lose it. As such, we ought to make time every day to spend with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We can do this through vocal prayer, silent reflection, and even by the works of charity and mercy we perform for others. God always makes Himself present and available. It is up to us to make time to spend with Him and to listen to His Divine Counsel. And if we do listen, then at the end of our lives, we will be blessed to be brothers and sisters of Christ and faithful heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Do we do God's Will in our lives? How can we build up our relationship with the Holy Trinity? Are we open to receiving God’s Presence into our hearts?

O Lord, you are our spiritual brother. Help us to be more and more like you each day.

Amen.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.  They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Each of us is called to a deeper conversion of spirit by God. This process of purification and sanctification will last throughout our lives. We are asked by God to go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to everyone. The conviction to do this work, in spite of the opposition from the world, comes from our faith in God, Our Heavenly Father. The example of Jesus Christ gives us the model of how to undertake this task in a spirit of self-sacrifice. The inspiration and strength to accomplish this vocation flows from the Holy Spirit. Together, the Holy Trinity gives us every grace we need to transform ourselves into lights of love, instruments of peace, and fonts of mercy. We manifest God’s Compassion for all His children as faithful followers of His Church and active members of the One Mystical Body of Christ.

Do our lives proclaim the Gospel to those around us? Do we manifest the conviction, charity, and motivation to do God’s Will without reservation or complaint? What can we do to become more deeply converted?

O Lord, give us the graces to go into the world and proclaim your Gospel to every creature.

Amen.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.  Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus isn’t just talking about himself when he proclaims today’s scripture. He is also describing his followers. As Christians, we are all summoned to live Christ-like lives. However, in order to fulfill this clarion call, we must take up the words of the gospel, proclaim them for God’s greater glory, and then live compassionately towards others. We cannot be fruitful followers of Christ, if we do not bring glad tidings to the poor through prayer, almsgiving, and service. If we do not liberate the blinded captives of sin through our good council and loving example, then how can we consider ourselves good and faithful servants? Our thoughts, words, and works should help free the physically and spiritual oppressed. The way we live our lives should constantly proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. So let us fulfill this scripture passage with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths so that when Jesus comes at the end of time, he will be able to say, “You have fulfilled my gospel.”

Have we proclaimed glad tidings to the poor? Have we helped free others from physical and spiritual oppression through our speech and our deeds? Do our lives proclaim the good news and lead others to a closer relationship with God and all His children?

O Lord, help us to fulfill your will today and every day of our lives.

Amen.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Second Saturday of Ordinary Time

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Sometimes when we answer one of God’s calls, people think we are out of our minds. They see us praying, almsgiving, fasting, volunteering, or giving up something else for God and they think we’re crazy. Why would we want to give up our time, talents, and treasures to pursue something intangible? But just like Jesus, we need to be willing to stand up for what we believe in and be willing to put up with the ridicule and bewilderment of those who do not believe as we do. We are meant to be signs of contradiction to the world and sometimes that means that certain people will misunderstand and even oppose us. However, we must not be afraid to suffer the persecution of others. Instead, we should focus on doing God’s Will to the best of our abilities.

What is God calling us to do? What will we need to sacrifice in order to do it? Are we willing to be persecuted in order to accomplish God’s Will?

O Lord, grant us the strength to persevere in the midst of our trials.

Amen.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Second Friday of Ordinary Time

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

Jesus appointed the Twelve to preach and drive out demons. In a similar manner, Jesus calls us to preach his gospel message and help his children, including ourselves, to drive out the sins that possess our lives. We are not asked to be perfect, none of Jesus’ Apostles were, but what we are asked to be is passionate about bearing God into the world through our thoughts, words, and works. So like the Apostles, we have to answer the summons of our Lord and to come to him through prayer, the sacraments, and our good works. Some of us will be asked to be rocks for our friends, family, and Church, just as Simon was in his life. Others will be called to love unconditionally like John. Or perhaps we will be asked to be like the other devoted Apostles, such as Matthew or James. No matter what our calling is, we should remember that God will always give us the graces we need to do His Will. Hopefully, we will answer Jesus’ call with hearts full of faith, hope, and love and never betray him.

What is Jesus calling us to do? Have we cultivated a passion for preaching the truths of the gospel, not only through our speech, but also our deeds? How can we answer God's summons more faithfully?

O Lord, let our lives proclaim your gospel all the days of our lives.

Amen.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.

After Jesus manifests his divine power and authority, he finds himself followed by large crowds of people seeking to not only hear him speak the Good News, but also to be healed of their afflictions. The people are expecting him to work miracles. However, we should not presume upon God’s Grace in such a way. We should be content with what goods God is willing to give us. This does not mean we shouldn’t ask for His help, we should always do that, but rather when we ask for His intercession in our lives we should leave it up to Him as to how He aids us. It’s okay to reach out to Jesus in our times of need, but we cannot force him to fix everything that is wrong in our lives. Sometimes we need to pass through trials and overcome obstacles before we can reach our full potential as Christians.

Do we seek God’s help in a spirit of hopefulness, rather than expectation? Do we humbly seek God’s help in the midst of our trials and tribulations? What things can we do to prepare ourselves to receive God’s help?

O Lord, we humbly seek your healing graces.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Second Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

Just like Jesus, we should never allow our peers to pressure us out of doing good or into doing evil. When we know in our hearts that something is right, we should do it, no matter the circumstances. We can come up with excuses, convince ourselves we shouldn’t get involved, or just plain chicken out, but in the end we’ll have to account for what we have done and failed to do. We have a choice in our lives. We can be like the Pharisees, hardhearted and condemning of others, or we can be like Christ, compassionate and restoring others to health of mind, body, and spirit. As Christians, we are both the healed and the healer. As sinners, we need to stretch out our hand to God with contrition and humility so that He might restore us both physically and spiritually. However, once we are cured, we are called by God to go forth into the world and bring His Grace to others through our acts of love and mercy.

Do we allow others to lead us into doing evil or keep us from doing good? Are our lives focused on saving lives, rather than destroying them? Do we not only seek healing for ourselves, but also for those around us?

O Lord, you have healed us with your saving grace. Help us to stretch out our hands to others who are in most need of your love and mercy so that you might heal them, too.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

In today’s gospel, we are reminded that the Sabbath was created for man, not the other way around. God wants us to take at least one day out of every week and make it holy. He also wants us to rest in His Love and Mercy on this day. This is why it is so important to celebrate the Sabbath. His Divine Presence at Mass renews us and gives us the graces we need to make it through the week. The spiritual food we receive through the liturgies of the Word and Eucharist, nourish our souls, make them stronger, help us lead healthier lives, and unite us in the spiritual body of Christ. If we do not take time for the Sabbath, we will go spiritually hungry, become too weak to do God’s Will, and wither away in sin and idleness. The Sabbath is a cornerstone of our faith and we should be perpetually thankful for the graces that flow from our participation in it every week.

Do we keep holy the Sabbath? Do we take time to rest in the Lord? Do we spend time not only receiving the God's Word and the Eucharist, but also make them part of our being?

O Lord, help us to keep holy your Sabbath.

Amen.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Second Monday of Ordinary Time

“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.”

Our faith is one of both fasting and feasting. We fast because it teaches us to discipline our minds and bodies. It also reminds us that worldly things pass away. They are not what is truly important in this world, nor should we attach ourselves to them. This is why we foster a spirit of detachment from the world through fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, especially during Lent. However, our faith is also a festive one because we believe Jesus not only died for our sins, but also rose again from the dead promising us a heavenly banquet with him if we live our lives according to his commands. Every Sunday, we celebrate the Eucharistic feast with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are united as one Church with the souls on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven. This is why we do not fast on Sundays, they are days of feasting in the Church, even during Lent. And so, we as Christians are called to cultivate a spirit of fasting in regards to worldly things and feasting in regards to heavenly things. And if we do this, we will find a balance in life that is both fruitful and rewarding for ourselves and those around us.

Do we fast from worldly things? Do we feast on the heavenly ones? Do we treat Jesus as our bridegroom when he comes to us through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist?

O Lord, help us to know when to fast for you and when to feast with you.

Amen.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it.

God speaks to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit every day of our lives. He tells us what we are called to do and if we listen to Him, like Mary did during her most holy life, then we will be a font of God’s Love and Mercy. Sometimes God asks us to do the simply things in life with great love, other times He asks us to do great things with the simple faith that everything will work out in the end. No matter what God is calling us to do, one thing is for certain… He will always give us the graces to fulfill His Will. We have only to empty ourselves of worldly things and fill ourselves with the waters of trust. If we do this, then God will transform our trust into good works that will refresh and sustain the souls of those who come into contact with us.

Are we willing to do what God is asking us? What must we do to empty ourselves of worldly things so that we might be filled with His Grace? And once we have the grace, how will we draw it out of ourselves and share it with others?

O Lord, fill us with the wine of your love, mercy, and grace so that we might give it to those in most need of your refreshment.

Amen.


Saturday, January 16, 2016

First Saturday of Ordinary Time

Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. 

Jesus calls all of us to follow him. Some of us have an easier time heeding his call than others because of our willingness to leave behind everything in the world to do God’s Will. Others have a more difficult time accepting our vocation to know, love, and serve God and His children. No matter if we are righteous or sinners, we all are given the graces we need to be good and faithful servants. Jesus knows what ails us, what holds us back from being saintly people, and if we are willing to listen and let him work within our souls we will find the strength to act with devotion towards God and compassion towards our neighbors. We should never let an opportunity to prove our love and mercy pass us by because we are too busy with worldly things. We can make up excuses every day as to why we cannot meet the physical or spiritual needs of those around us, but in the end we can and should always make time to do what is right even if it costs us greatly.

Are we willing to follow Jesus where he is leading us? Do we seek out God’s aid in healing the ailments of both our bodies and souls? How do we mirror God’s Love and Mercy towards us in our dealings with others?

O Lord, we are sinners, heal us and call us to your side.

Amen.

Friday, January 15, 2016

First Friday of Ordinary Time

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.”

When the men carrying the paralytic saw the crowd around Jesus, they could have been disheartened, but instead they go the extra mile in order to see the paralytic cured. They open up the roof and lower the paralytic down to Jesus, who takes pity on the man, forgives his sins, and eventually heals him as proof of his divine authority. Sometimes when we try to help others (and even ourselves) we come across impediments that discourage us from continuing. We can become tempted to give up because we don’t have the strength, resources, or know-how to overcome the obstacles in our way. However, God never gives us a trial or tribulation that we cannot overcome. He always gives us the graces necessary to do His Will, although not always how we imagined it. These tests of our faith require us to go beyond our comfort zones and to do something extraordinary. Climbing onto the roof to let the paralytic down to Jesus was a risk that those four men were willing to take to see the paralytic cured. In the same way, we must be willing to risk ourselves to do what is right and to help those in need, whether that need be physical or spiritual.

Do we go the extra mile when we try to help others? Do we trust that God will give us the graces we need to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of doing good works? What are we willing to risk in order to do God’s Will?

O Lord, give us the graces to help those in most need of your mercy.

Amen.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

First Thursday of Ordinary Time

“If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.

We are all unclean in our own ways. We might not be physical lepers, but we do have the spiritual leprosy of sin. Thankfully, we also have access to Jesus’ merciful healing through the sacraments, especially the sacrament of reconciliation. It is through this sacrament that we can be cleansed of our sins. All we need is to be contrite in our hearts for the sins we’ve committed, firmly intend to avoid evil and the temptation to sin, and to do our penance. Jesus is always looking upon us with eyes of pity and offering us a compassionate hand, we have only to accept his offer of forgiveness and amend our ways. Hopefully, we seek out Jesus’ mercy just as the leper did so long ago, because He will never turn away one of his faithful children if they ask for his help. And as such, we should always remember to be merciful toward others because we will be judged by how we judge and treat them.

Have we sought to make ourselves clean? Do we seek God’s Divine Mercy through the frequent reception of the sacrament of confession? Are we fonts of His Compassion and Grace for others, especially those who trespass against us?

O Lord, make us clean and compassionate.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

First Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

After healing Simon’s mother and curing many others in her house, Jesus rises early and goes off to a deserted place. Jesus seeks out a place of solitude so that he can pray to his Heavenly Father and reflect on everything he has done, is doing, and will do. We can learn a lot about how to meditate on the message of the gospels, contemplate God’s presence in our lives, and pray better by following Jesus’ example. We need to get away from our worldly distractions if we are truly to focus on our spiritual needs. However, once we are done praying, we also need to be ready to move on and go wherever God is leading us. We cannot become so comfortable in one place that we never leave. There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to go forth. Sometimes this means leaving behind our families or friends, other times it means making sacrifices of time, talents, and treasures. But no matter what God asks of us, we should remember that He never asks more of us than we can give and He always gives us the graces we need to endure.

Do we seek to be alone with God and enjoy His Presence? How can we better meditate on the gospels and contemplate God’s presence in our lives? Are we willing to go where God is leading us and preach the truth through our thoughts, words, and works?

O Lord, help us to find our deserted place, where we can pray to you with all our hearts and listen to you with all our souls.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

First Tuesday of Ordinary Time

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

The crowd in the synagogue recognizes that Jesus is teaching and acting with an authority they have not seen before. He is able to command unclean spirits and drive them out of the possessed. Just like Jesus, we are called to teach and act with authority. We might not be asked to be prophets or drive out demons, but we are asked to make Jesus present through our thoughts, words, and works. We are his eyes, ears, hands, and feet in this world and tasked with bringing the good news of the gospel to those in most need of it. We can do this through little and great acts of charity and mercy. In this way, we manifest God's Divine Grace to the world and make known His Love to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do we recognize Jesus’ authority and listen to his gospel message? How do we make Jesus present to others through our thoughts, words, and works? What can we do to reveal Jesus’ authority to others and help bring them closer to God?

O Lord, you have taught us your gospel with authority. Help us to live it out each day.

Amen.

Monday, January 11, 2016

First Monday of Ordinary Time

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

We are all called to become fishers of men in our own way. Some of us are called to be fishers of our families to our parents, siblings, spouses, and children. Some of us are called to be fishers to our fellow children of God through priesthood or religious orders. Some of us are called to be fishers of the lost, lonely, sorrowful, and needy through volunteering and ministry. Whatever our calling might be, we all have the option to respond to it with a yes or a no. God never forces us to do good, He wants us to choose what's right because we desire to do good in imitation of Him. The disciples said yes to Jesus when he called them and left behind their old lives. Others said no for various reasons from selfishness to disbelief. We, too, face this choice every day of our lives and hopefully we choose to cast our nets into the ocean of God’s Love and Mercy and not into the sea of worldliness.

Are we following Jesus where he wants us to go? Are we willing to walk away from the world and become fishers of men? Who are we being called to fish for in our lives?

O Lord, make us fishers of men.

Amen.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

The Baptism of the Lord

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Jesus shares in the baptism of John because he wants to unite himself to us. He might not have needed to be cleansed, but he wants to let us know that he understands our need for forgiveness and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. His baptism is also a sign of his transition from his private life as a carpenter and the son of Mary and Joseph to his public life as the Messiah and Savior. Just like Jesus, we also are called to transition from our private lives to public lives of faith. We might not be called to leave behind our private lives completely as Jesus was, but to some degree all Christians are called to lead a public life in imitation of Jesus. We can do this through our thoughts, words, and works. We can do this through small and great acts of love, mercy, and grace towards others or through lives of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting for God’s greater glory. The degree to which we transition from our private, worldlier lives to public, faithful lives is the degree to which we manifest Jesus Christ to those around us. So let us be beacons of God’s Will in the world so that one day our Heavenly Father will be able to say to us, “You are my beloved Son (or daughter); with you I am well please.”

Do we pray for the grace to live our faith in a way that brings ourselves and others closer to God? How do we imitate Jesus’ public ministry in our own lives? Are our lives pleasing to God?

O Lord, send your Holy Spirit down upon us so that we might be transformed into your beloved children and please you in all that we think, say, and do.

Amen.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Saturday after Epiphany

“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

John reminds us that in order to be a true disciple of Christ that we must decrease in order for Jesus to increase in us. We are supposed to be the best men and maids of honor to the glorious union between Jesus and the Church, his spiritual bride. We are meant to prepare the way of the Lord into this world through our thoughts, words, and works. We share in the joy of Jesus’ union with his beloved Church through the sacraments. We stand by him, listen for him, and celebrate the vows he has made to the Church through the gospels. What is even more profound is that we are all called to be members of that Church and be espoused to Christ through our faith by finding our fulfillment through emptying ourselves and allowing Jesus to fill us with himself.

Are we preparing the way of the Lord not only into our lives, but the lives of others? Do we rejoice in the message of the gospels? Are we willing to decrease so that Jesus might increase through us?

O Lord, increase within us and through us to others.

Amen.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Friday after Epiphany

The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

After curing the leper, great crowds come to him seeking to be cured of their ailments, but Jesus withdraws from them to pray. This action reminds us of the need to maintain our prayer life and keep our focus on doing God’s Will. Sometimes when we try to do too much, we can lose sight of why we do works of charity and mercy. Yes, Jesus could have easily healed everyone he came into contact with, but he doesn’t. This is not because he doesn’t care about the suffering of others, but rather because he wanted to keep the focus on the wondrous power of God. If he healed everyone, then the miraculous would have become mundane and lost its potency as a sign of God’s Forgiveness and Mercy. Jesus wanted the crowds to come to him because they believed and hoped in his message, not because they expected him to cure their every ailment.

Do we maintain our prayer life even in the midst of our daily lives? Do we seek a quiet place to pray and converse with God? When we pray, do we come to God in a selfless spirit of faith and hope or in a selfish spirit of expectation?

O Lord, lead us to a deserted place where we can talk to you in our prayers.

Amen.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Thursday after Epiphany

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.  He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 

In order to live Christ-like lives, we all need to bring glad tidings to the poor through our thoughts, words, and works. We do this by not only praying for them, but also comforting them in the midst of their trials, and acting with mercy and love toward others. We are to be bearers of God’s Grace to those whom are in most need of it. We, like Christ, should seek to fulfill the scriptures by following the commandments that Christ gave to us to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths, and our neighbors as He loves them. So let us bring good tidings to everyone we meet and proclaim through our every action that now is an acceptable time to be faithful followers of Christ.

How do we bring good tidings to the poor, be they poor in material goods or spiritual and emotional ones? Are we fulfilling God’s Will for our lives? Is our presence to others liberating, healing, and freeing?

O Lord, let our lives proclaim the message of the gospels.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Wednesday after Epiphany

When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”

When we are in the midst of a storm of trials, beset upon by sin and imperfection, and floundering in our faith, we should take courage and be not afraid because Jesus is always with us in our times of need. We think he has abandoned us, we might not sense his presence with us, or even be terrified of what is going on around us, but if we look for him, he will give us the graces we need to survive any storm and to calm our hearts. Sometimes we are cast about with sorrows, sufferings, and sins, but as long as we keep the faith and do not harden our hearts, we will eventually make it through our tribulations and find the peace of doing God’s Will on the other side. This is why we should never give up on God, no matter what is going on in our lives, because He will never give up on us. He loves us more than we can ever appreciate and has sacrificed more for us than we can ever repay.

Do we turn to God when we are beset by the storms of life? Do we let Jesus calm our hearts when they are in turmoil? Do we trust that God will always be with us, no matter what?

O Lord, grant us the courage to be not afraid.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.  By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”  He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.”

Sometimes when we are faced with problems we can be tempted to take the easy way out. Like the disciples, we want to run away from our troubles. However, it is precisely in these moments of trial, risk, and uncertainty that God can reveal Himself to us. Jesus didn’t see an obstacle when he saw the hungry crowd. Instead, he saw an opportunity to glorify God through the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fish. In order to better mirror Christ, we must change our outlook when faced with problems that seem beyond our abilities to deal with. We should be optimistic and open to allowing God to work through us to bring about a greater good. This doesn’t mean that we will always succeed at overcoming our trials, but it does mean that we are willing to risk ourselves to do what is right, even when we don’t quite understand how we are to overcome the obstacles in our way. Jesus does not want us to play it safe with our faith. No. He wants us to challenge ourselves to do God's Will not matter what… even when it seems most improbable.

Are we tempted to take the easy way out of our troubles? Are willing to risk ourselves to do God’s Will? Do we allow Jesus to work through us to multiply the virtues of faith, hope, and love in others?

O Lord, let us feed your children ourselves.

Amen.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 

For us, the kingdom of Heaven is always at hand. Jesus made sure of that through his life, death, and resurrection and so he constantly asks us to repent of our sins. He teaches us the truths of how to live a Christ-like life and shows us how to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom to all we meet. He gives us an example of charity and love, especially towards those who are in most need of God’s Mercy. He does all these things in hopes that one day we will accept his call to repentance, become his devoted followers, and live lives that shine with the lights of faith, hope, and love. We cannot do these things if we do not recognize our sinfulness, seek out God’s forgiveness with contrite hearts, and do penance for what we have done and failed to do. So let us repent and seek the merciful heart of Jesus in our prayers and through the sacraments.

Are we repentant of our sins? Do we listen to the teachings of Jesus and follow them in spite of what they might require from us? Do we proclaim the Kingdom through our every thought, word, and work?

O Lord, we are repentant, grant us your healing mercy.

Amen.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

The Epiphany of the Lord

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The wise men traveled far from their homelands following a star they believed would lead them to a king, but what they found when they arrived at Bethlehem could have disappointed them. And yet, they were not disappointed with the humble surroundings of the newborn king. They prostrated themselves, paid him homage, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They did not let appearances interfere with their belief in Jesus as the king of the Jews. Like the wise men, we are all called to believe in Jesus in spite of not always understanding God’s ways. We might not know why sorrow and suffering occur in our lives or why the things we have prayed for have not come to pass as we had hoped. However, if we trust in God and His Divine Wisdom, then we will discover just like the wise men that Jesus does not need to make himself known with trumpet blasts or great signs. Instead, he shows himself to us with humility and in the little graces that come into our lives every day. We have only to open our eyes, see the light of his love, and to know Jesus is the king of all hearts and will give us exactly what we need to do God’s Will, precisely when we need it the most. So let us turn over our time, talents, and treasures to the Lord, and let Him transform them into what He needs to manifest His Love, Mercy, and Grace in the world.

Do we pay homage to God for all He has done for us? What gifts can we give to God in thanksgiving for His Love? Do we keep our eyes open for opportunities to do God’s Will in our lives?

O Lord, we prostrate ourselves before you and give you homage.

Amen.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord”

John the Baptist is yet another person who gives us an example of what it means to do God’s Will. He might not have been a disciple of Jesus, but he certainly lived a Christ-like life. He proclaimed the Word of God, acted with love and mercy toward others, and ultimately gave his life for what he believed in. He was a good and faithful servant, who prepared the way of the Lord into this world. Although we might not be called to live in a desert and fast as John did, we are called to be prophetic people, evangelizing the world and preparing the hearts of others to receive the Lord more fully. We cannot do that if we do not cultivate a spirit of detachment from the world, seek to rectify our faults, and commit ourselves to proclaiming Jesus’ gospel through our thoughts, words, and works.

How can we lead others to the Lord if we do not take the time to straighten out our own lives? What can we do to prepare the way of the Lord into our lives and the lives of those around us? Are we committed to becoming a faithful servant, no matter what the cost might be?

O Lord, help us to proclaim your gospel and make you present in the world through our loving words and works.

Amen.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

As Christians, we are asked to not only do God’s Will, but also to reflect upon all God has done for us. We need to do the later in order to keep our lives in perspective. We need to remember that God is the source of all our goods and goodness. He is the one who gives us our time, talents, and treasures. Without Him we would be nothing, but with Him we are everything we need to be. When we do a good deed or have one done for us, we should take the time to ponder the source of these words and works. By doing this, we bring God to the forefront of our minds, give constant thanks for His graces, and make Him an intricate part of our lives. When we fail to do this, we can become lost and lose sight of the reason behind our acts of love and mercy. Sometimes we can do the right thing, but for the wrong reasons or with the wrong attitudes. God does not want us to do the right things halfheartedly or out of sense of obligation. He wants us to do them because we love Him and His children. Without reflection upon our words and works, we cannot learn from our mistakes and successes and grow in our faith.

Do we reflect on the time, talents, and treasures God has given us? Have we pondered the good things in our lives and sought to understand God’s role in each of them? Are we doing the right things for the wrong reasons or are our hearts in the right place, too?

O Lord, let us keep all you have done for us in our hearts and reflect upon them.

Amen.