Sunday, July 31, 2016

The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.  There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

The foolishness of the rich man is not so much in the building of bigger barns to store his excess grain, but rather on the reason he builds the bigger barns. He does not build them because we wants to avoid wasting his good harvest, but rather he decides to build them because he wants to “rest, eat, drink, and be merry.” Instead of using the bountiful harvest to better himself, his lands, or his workers, he plans to use it on selfish pursuits and as an excuse to be lazy. God doesn’t give us gifts and talents to hoard them or use them to make our lives easier. He gives them to us to multiply them, to share with others, and thereby give glory to Him. We cannot do that if we store up our gifts and only use them for our personal enjoyment.

Are we storing up treasures for ourselves on earth? Or are we doing everything we can to multiply the bountiful harvests of graces that God has given us? How can we become rich in what matters, namely knowing, loving, and serving God and His children?

O Lord, inspire us to use the graces you’ve given us to store up heavenly merits rather than earthly treasures.

Amen.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Seventeenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him."

Our words and works determine who we will be compared with in our lives. Jesus was compared with St. John the Baptist during his life and although we know Jesus is greater than him many of his contemporaries didn’t recognize this. In a similar way, we are all called to remind others of Jesus during our lives. Instead of being prophets of his first coming, as John was, we are the prophets of his second coming. Whenever we speak or act like Christ, we proclaim the Good News and the promise of Jesus’ return, a return we should be anticipating and preparing ourselves for. The greatest compliment anyone could give us during our lives on earth would be, “This man (or woman) is Jesus. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him (or her).”

Do our words echo the words of Jesus? Do our works mirror the works of Jesus? How can we make ourselves living reminders of Christ, our Savior King?

O Lord, may your mighty powers work through us.

Amen.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Memorial of Saint Martha

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

How far Martha has come! We first met her when she is burdened with worldly cares and unable to understand her sister’s desire to sit at the foot of Jesus. However, she has grown as a disciple since then and now expresses a faith we should all seek to imitate. It can be difficult for us to accept sufferings, especially the deaths of our loved ones. But rather than focus on our loss, we should focus on trusting in the mercy of God and the promise of eternal life. Jesus might not raise our loved ones from the dead in the same way as he did Lazarus, but he can and will raise them up to heaven to be with him as long as they have led a good life. We can take comfort in this truth and in the knowledge that all of God’s faithful children will be resurrected. No one who believes in God will ever truly die. Jesus died once, for all. He died to cleanse us of our sins and to bathe us in his mercy so that we could partake in his heavenly feast forever and ever.

Do we trust that whatever goods we ask God for will be given to us in His own way and time? Do we believe that our loved ones (and we) will rise again in the resurrection on the last day? Do we believe in Jesus and his Gospel message?

O Lord, we have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who brings everlasting life to your disciples.

Amen.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Seventeenth Thursday of Ordinary Time

The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

We are either good or bad fish. Righteous or wicked. This is the judgement that is awaiting us at the end of our lives. We will either be gathered into God's Kingdom and enjoy the Heavenly Banquet or we will be thrown into the fires of Hell. We will be judged by our actions. Our good deeds and our wicked ones. We will come face-to-face with our true selves and in the end we will know exactly why we were sorted to Heaven or Hell. We can only hope that our faith and love are true and holy and not misguided and corrupted by personal desires. So let us make every effort now… this day… to know, love, and serve God and our neighbors to the best of our abilities so that when the day comes and we are judged by God he shall see that we reflected His Goodness in the world and not our own selfishness.

Are we acting like good or bad fish? How can we grow in righteousness and rid ourselves of wickedness? Are we reflecting God's Goodness in our lives?

O Lord, help us to be good fish in the sea of your love and mercy.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Seventeenth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

"The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."

 Before a treasure can be found it must be placed where someone can find it and someone must search for it. God is the one who places the Kingdom of Heaven within our reach. He did this through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. All we need to do is seek it out. Then, once we find it, we must be willing to sacrifice everything we have. Once we are divested and detached ourselves from the world, we will be given the treasure beyond any price. It is the treasure of saving grace that leads to our salvation and life everlasting with God.

What are we searching for in our lives? What are we willing to sell everything for? Do we treasure the Kingdom of Heaven above worldly riches?

O Lord, we would sell everything for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

We are all called to be good seeds in the world and bear fruit for God and His children. However, we will not be unopposed. The weeds of the wicked will seek to strangle us and keep us from being spiritually fruitful, but we must resist their persecutions and temptations. We will have no one to blame if we fall into sin and fail to produce good fruit. It is up to us to open our hearts to the Sun of Truth and allow the cleansing rains of God’s Divine Mercy to nourish us with grace.

What can we do to keep ourselves from becoming weeds? How can we grow in faith, hope, and love?  What can we do to bear good fruits in our lives?

O Lord, let our righteousness shine like the sun.

Amen.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

“What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

There are many wishes we can have in life. We can wish for health and happiness. We can wish for peace and goodness. We can wish for heavenly things or earthly ones. We can wish for God to protect us and our loved ones from harm. However, we need to remember that although we might feel entitled to these things, we won't always get them. We do not know what we are asking for. We do not see God's entire Divine Plan and how everything interconnects from our highest highs to our lowest lows. In the face of the difficulties which will inevitably enter into our lives, the only thing we can do is trust in God. Believe that no matter what happens on earth we will find happiness in heaven if we are willing to drink the chalice God has prepared for us.

What do we wish for? Do we truly trust in God? Can we drink the chalice He has prepared for us?

O Lord, we wish only to stay by your side always.

Amen.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

And he said to them, "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 the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence."

Being Disciples of Christ requires a great deal of persistence. In order to do God’s Will, we often have to persist through trials and overcome obstacles. Because we forsake the riches of the world in favor of heavenly rewards, we will often find ourselves in need of or depending upon the charity of others. This requires a great deal of humility on our part. It is not easy to ask for help, but God wants us to ask for His help and the help of His children. By doing these things we give God and others an opportunity to express and share their love with us. At the same time, this experience of love multiplies our own acts of charity and mercy. That is the wonderful thing about love. It is the one thing we can give that does not lessen us, but makes us more than we already are. Being persistent in the virtue of love is one of the greatest callings in our lives. We might not always feel like helping out, but our feelings and passions should not rule us. Instead, our minds and wills should hold sway and choose to love in spite of how we might feel. This too is the lesson Jesus is trying to teach us. It is not only the persistence of the asker that we should imitate, but also the willingness to act charitably to others even when we do not feel inclined to do so.

Are we persistent in our love of God and His children? Are we willing to humble ourselves to ask for help? Are we willing to love others even when we feel inconvenienced or uninspired to do so?

O Lord, help us to be persistent in following your Will and acting with love and mercy.

Amen.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Sixteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

"The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, 'First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

The world is a place full of earthly wickedness and heavenly goodness. The question is which side we align ourselves with: the weeds or the wheat. We cannot be both. We cannot serve two masters. We either love the world more than God or we love God more than the world. This isn’t to say we cannot enjoy our lives, but rather if we have the choice between enjoying our lives and serving God, then we will choose God every time. This detachment from the world is necessary if we are to bear the good fruits of self-sacrifice instead of the bad fruits of selfishness. Because we grow up among the weeds, we might sometimes wonder why they seem to be thriving when we are suffering, physically, mentally, or spiritually. However, as long as we are willing to weather the bad times, we will eventually be rewarded by being lifted up to heaven and avoid the fires of Hell.

What can we do to make sure we are the wheat and not weeds of the world? How can we overcome the temptations that seek to entangle and strangle us? What good fruits are we bearing for God and His children?

O Lord, gather us into your heavenly kingdom.

Amen.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene

"Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he told her.

God is not only the Father of Jesus, but also of us. This is why Jesus speaks of his disciples as his brothers. We are his family. He wants to be with us, to help us in all we do, and lead us to life everlasting. He sacrificed himself for us and we should be willing to do the same for him. If we do make our lives into living sacrifices for God, then our eyes will be opened to seeing the Lord, speaking His Word, and doing His Works. He will be with us in spirit and truth and we shall have nothing to be afraid or weep about. He shall protect and console us in our times of need. We would do well to remember our kinship with Christ and make every effort to know, love, and serve him as he knows, loves, and serves us.

How often do we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for what he has done for us? Are we willing to sacrifice our lives to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ’s resurrection? How often do we turn to Christ as not just our savior, but also our spiritual brother and comforter?

O Lord, led us to our Heavenly Father.

Amen.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Sixteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time

This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

We are either open to God or closed to Him. We either see Him in the world around us or we deny He is there. We either hear His Good News proclaimed by the Church or we deafen ourselves to it by focusing our minds on worldly things. Our hearts are either ready to receive God in all things or willing to deny Him for our own selfish reasons. We either understand that we have much to learn from God and His Church or we decide that we know what is right and wrong like Adam and Eve. We either seek to be healed of our afflictions or we allow ourselves to be devoured by them. God gives us every chance to listen and understand His Divine Word, it us up to us to be open to seeing, hearing, and understanding it and then putting it into practice in our lives.

Are we blind and deaf to the parables that are constantly revealed to us in our own lives? Are our hearts and minds open to what God is trying to teach us? How can we receive God's Divine Word into our lives and live it out with all our strengths?

O Lord, bless our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts so they might be open to your teachings and truths.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Sixteenth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

"A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

God continually tries to sow His Word in our hearts. It is up to us to make sure the seed of faith falls on good ground. If we do nothing to prepare our hearts to receive the Good News, then the seed will be eaten up before it gets a chance to grow, killed when our faith is tested, or strangled by our worldly worries. But if we enrich the soil of our souls with virtues, then we will produce good fruit. We will not only grow in faith, but bud in hope and bloom with charity. Our every thought, word, and work will yield a hundred, sixty, or thirtyfold. We shall live life abundantly and help others do the same.

What do we do to prepare our souls to receive God’s Word? How can we help others to prepare themselves? Are we enriching our lives with the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, or are we allowing our doubts, fears, and selfish interests to destroy our lives?

O Lord, cultivate my soul with your heavenly virtues and so that I can accept the seed of faith and yield a good harvest.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Sixteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother."

We are all the brothers, sisters, and mothers of Christ when we do the will of our Heavenly Father. Mary’s life is the perfect example of living in accord with the Holy Spirit. She does this perfectly even when she does not always understand the reason God is asking her to do something. She did not understand what becoming the Mother of God would mean, but she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to your word.” She did not understand why Jesus left her side and spent three days alone in the temple, but she still kept all these things in her heart. She did not understand why her son was condemned to death and crucified, but she accepted Jesus’ final words to her and became the Mother of the Church through John. It is Mary’s willingness to accept God’s Will that is the true reason why she was chosen by God to bear His Beloved Son and become our spiritual mother. She gives us a perfect example of what it means to magnify the Lord through our every thought, word, and work. We would do well to learn from her for she knows the Heavenly Father as only a daughter can know Him, she knows Jesus as only a mother can know him, and she knows the Holy Spirit as only a bride can know her husband. As such, she shows us how to live our lives as members of God’s heavenly family.

Do we do God’s Will or our own? Have we taken the time to meditate upon Mary’s life and make her virtues our own? How can we make our own hearts open to the inspirations of the Holy Trinity?

O Lord, we want only to do your will and be members of your heavenly family.

Amen.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Sixteenth Monday of Ordinary Time

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights."

We have been given our sign. It is the sign of the cross, a sign of God’s Compassion, Forgiveness, and Love. No other sign is necessary for our salvation than Christ hanging on the cross, not in defeat, but in triumph. It is on the cross that he forgave us for our sins. It is on the cross that he promised us eternal life. It is on the cross that he gave us our spiritual mother. It is on the cross that he offered us the hope that overcomes all despair. It is on the cross that he showed us what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. It is on the cross that he reminded us of the sacrifices we will have to make in order to accomplish God’s Will. It is on the cross that he revealed to us the importance of placing ourselves into the hands of our Heavenly Father. And when we take these together, we cannot help but see that behind every cross is the Risen Lord, Our Savior.

Are we looking for signs like the scribes and Pharisees? Or is our attention focused on the cross and its promise of resurrection? How can we make the sign of the cross the heart of our faith lives?

O Lord, your cross is the only sign we need.

Amen.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

The Sixteenth Sunday in 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, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.  There is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

Even when we are acting charitably and mercifully, we can sometimes lose sight of what’s important in life. We can become all consumed with our “mission” that we forget the real reason why we seek to know, love, and serve our neighbors. We do it for God! Because we love His Divine Image within those we serve. We also can get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take time to sit at the feet of Christ and listen to him in silent prayer. In a world where we are constantly bombarded by images, sounds, and all manner of tasks to do, we can fail to remember to open our eyes, ears, and hands to God. There is need of only one thing: allowing God to speak to us in the silence of souls and then acting on the inspirations He sends us through the Holy Spirit.

Do we take time out of our busy schedule to listen to God? Are we choosing the lesser part of listening to our worries or the greater part of listening to the Lord of Hope? In what ways can we create a spirit of peace in the daily storms of the world?

O Lord, we have need of only one thing: you.

Amen.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Fifteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

If we want God to delight in us, then we need to live our lives as Jesus did. We need to open our hearts and minds to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, proclaim the Good News to all who will listen, and love others in a spirit of humility. We do this best not by crying out and making a scene of our faith, but rather by knowing, loving, and serving God and our neighbors quietly and without reservation. When we bring justice and hope to others, we imitate Jesus’ ministry and this is what God wants from us more than any sacrifice.

Are we healers of God’s people, prophets of His Word, and servants of His Will? Are we willing to set aside our own inclinations and follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit? Have we cultivated a spirit of humility within ourselves so that God can work through us in all things?

O Lord, place your spirit upon us and make us into prophets of your faith, hope, and love.

Amen.

Friday, July 15, 2016

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

"Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

We are all called to do God’s Will, no matter the time or place. Sometimes we can convince ourselves that we shouldn’t do the right thing because we’re too busy practicing our religious routines. However, we should not let ourselves be blinded to the needs of others by our personal spirituality. Sometimes we may need to stop in the middle of a prayer to give someone else a hand. We might even need to miss Mass in order to take care of someone in need. God knows that if we could have finished the prayer or gone to Mass we would have done so. He sees the inner actions of our hearts and He will not punish us for being Christ-like and knowing, loving, and serving our neighbors in their times of need. We should never allow an opportunity to show mercy to pass by because of a sense of religious obligation.

Have we let chances to do God’s Will pass us by out of a false sense of religiousness? What can we do to open our hearts to those moments when we can offer God acts of love and mercy outside our normal religious routines? How can we prepare ourselves for those moments when we might be called to be not just religious, but merciful servants as well?

O Lord, make us into fonts of your mercy.

Amen.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

We all have labors and burdens in our lives. We toil to keep ourselves clothed, sheltered, and fed. We toil to overcome our temptations, anxieties, and doubts. We toil to increase our knowledge and wisdom. We toil to know, love, and serve our God and our neighbors. All of these things could wear us down with worries and work, but if we take upon ourselves the yoke of Christ and learn how to be meek and humble, then we can carry any burden. God never gives us more than we can handle. He always gives us the graces we need. All we have to do is to give up the yoke of pride and accept the yoke of humble faith. Once we do that, all our burdens will be light compared to the strength of our faith, hope, and love.

Do we seek God when we have labors and burdens that are weighing us down? Are we willing to put on the yoke of meekness and humility? Are we willing to let go of our pride and seek God’s help in our daily lives?

O Lord, we accept your yoke with meek and humble hearts.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Fifteenth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

If we want to know, love, and serve God and His children more perfectly, then we shall need to become child-like. Children depend upon their parents for their protection, their goods, and the provision of their needs. They truly understand what it means to have faith in someone, to hope in them, and to love them unconditionally. In the same way, we should be child-like toward our spiritual parents, God, Our Heavenly Father, and Mary, Our Holy Mother. Both of them protect and provide for us in their own way and show us how to be filled with charity and mercy towards all. They give us something greater than ourselves to believe in, to trust in, and love with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. In the end, we will be measured by how well we imitate them in our thoughts, words, and works.

Are we child-like in our relationship with God and Mary or do we pretend we do not need them? How can we become more faithful, hopeful, and loving children of God and Mary? What thanks have we given our heavenly parents for all they have, are, and will do for us?

O Lord, make us child-like in spirit.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Fifteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.”

God has done many good things for us and we would do well if we remember this and repent of our sins against Him. If we do not seek His Forgiveness, then we shall have no reason to expect His Mercy. However, if we open our eyes to all the miracles and graces, great and small, that God has given us throughout our lives, then we shall also open our hearts to reconciliation with Him. In the same vein, we should seek to help others to see God at work in their lives and help them to seek pardon for their sins. We do this best, not by judging others, but rather by loving them and showing them how God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace can lift their spirits and give them a more abundant life.

Do we give thanks to God for all He has, is, and will do for us? Do we seek His forgiveness for the evils we’ve done and the goods we’ve failed to do? How can our lives become beacons of hope for those in most need of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace?

O Lord, you have done mighty deeds for us and the greatest of these is offering us your Divine Mercy.

Amen.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot

Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple–amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.

We will be judged by how we do God’s Will and treat others. We are all called to be prophets of the truth, to be righteous in word and deed, and to give to those in need. Likewise, we should recognize others who do these things and do everything we can to encourage and support them. When we welcome them into our lives, we also welcome all the goods they do. It doesn’t matter how little or great our acts of charity or mercy might be, God sees the love behind the actions and gives us a share in the rewards. Love multiplies no matter how much we give away. We can never run out of it as long as we continue to offer it to others.

How do we receive others? Do we treat them with respect, love, and mercy? What do we do to support those who do the right thing in their lives?

O Lord, we promise to welcome your children into our hearts and with them, you.

Amen.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.  They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.  A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.  Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.  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.

The story of the Good Samaritan shows us how we should live our lives. We should treat everyone we meet as our neighbors, as our brothers and sisters in Christ. This means that no matter how busy we might believe ourselves to be, we should always make time for those we meet along the way. All of us know people in our lives who are in need of help, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It is up to us to approach them, tend to their needs, lift them up, and do everything in our power to make them whole again. We cannot do that if we believe our time is more important or if we walk past them because we do not want to get involved. Just like Christ, we should be constantly involved in the lives of those in need and take care of them no matter what it costs us.

Have we taken the time to help those who are in need? Where is the compassion in our lives? Are we willing to give our time, talents, and treasures to those in need of them without worry about the cost to us?

O Lord, help us to be Good Samaritans to all your children.

Amen.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Fourteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

We shouldn’t be afraid to stand up to those who persecute or mock our faith. We do this best by imitating Christ in all our actions and proclaiming the gospel through our words and deeds. We should expect nothing but trials for doing this as the world rebels against the truth and seeks its own way. In the face of this opposition, we must be willing to die for our faith. We must realize that our beliefs may make us powerful enemies who will seek to kill us, if not physically, than emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually. But as Jesus tells us, we should not be afraid of being put to death by the world for our faith. Instead, we should fear what will happen to us, if we do not proclaim the kingdom of God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

What are we afraid of? How can we make our lives a witness to the Good News? Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves to save the bodies and souls of others?

O Lord, give us the courage to proclaim your Way, Truth, and Life, now and forever.

Amen.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Fourteenth Friday of Ordinary Time

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

We are constantly tempted to think, say, and do what we want; especially when we think we are right or being mistreated. However, before we think, say, or do anything, we should take a moment and allow God to guide our thoughts, words, and works. In a world where we are constantly interacting with others, we can forget how important it is to take a step back and give God a chance to influence our actions. We feel pressure to respond immediately, but sometimes our gut responses are not the best and can make things worse. If we would only take a deep breath and let the Holy Spirit inspire us, we might find the best thoughts, words, or works that will help us to do the right thing.

Do we take the time to allow God influence our thoughts, words, and works? What can we do to open our hearts, minds, and beings to God’s guidance?  Do we trust God enough to let Him think, speak, and act through us?

O Lord, give us the right thoughts, words, and works to do your Will.

Amen.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Fourteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time

As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave.

Every good work we do has its source in God and we should remember this when we are tempted to take credit for the goods we do. All our acts of charity and mercy come from God, it is He who gives them to us. The only thing we do is open ourselves to these gifts and graces and pass them onto those we meet. We receive every good we have from God and this is why we should give to others without counting the cost. When we give to others, we should depend upon God for everything and accept whatever He offers us as reward, however great or small it might seem compared to what we must sacrifice.

What good works is God calling us to do? Do we give of the time, talents, and treasures God has given us to others without counting the cost? Are we willing to do the right thing without expecting a return?

O Lord, inspire us to give without counting the cost or expecting a return.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Fourteenth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"

Jesus calls us all to seek out his lost sheep and proclaim the kingdom of God is at hand. The lost sheep in our lives can be family, friends, neighbors, and strangers who have lost their way in life and need someone to guide them back to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. To lead someone back to the faith is one of the most important acts of love and mercy we can perform in our lives. We might not always succeed and may even suffer because of our attempts, but no matter what happens as long as we do our best to bring people home to God, then that is all that matters.

Who are the lost sheep in our lives? What can we do to lead them back to God? How do our thoughts, words, and works proclaim the kingdom to all we meet?

O Lord, help us to lead your lost sheep home.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Fourteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

We are all called to be laborers in the vineyard of souls. We do this best when we imitate Jesus by teaching the faith to others, proclaiming the Gospel with our words and works, and taking pity on those in most need of God’s Love and Mercy. Doing all of these things means being willing to sacrifice our time, talents, and treasures to know, love, and serve God and His children. If we are willing to do this, then we will be able to cultivate and nourish the souls of others on the Work of God and our acts of charity and mercy. We should do everything we can to improve the harvest of souls and help others bear good fruit. This is what Jesus did in his life, and it is what we are called to do in ours.

In what ways do our lives teach others about the faith, proclaim the Good News, and cure people of what troubles them? What can we do to become better laborers in the vineyard of souls? How can we help others to bear good fruits?

O Lord, we have heard your call for laborers and will help you with the harvest of souls.

Amen.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Fourteenth Monday of Ordinary Time

When Jesus arrived at the official's house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping." And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

Sometimes our faith will get us ridiculed and persecuted, but if we persist in hope and love, we can overcome any trials. In addition, by placing our trust in God, we give witness to our belief in a loving and merciful God, especially to those who doubt. Our witness, given through our words and works, may lead others to take a leap of faith in their own lives and help them to discover their own path to God. We never know who might be looking at our actions and taking them to heart and it is far better for us if our deeds lead people toward God, rather than away from Him.

Do we stand up for our faith when it is ridiculed or persecuted? Do we trust enough in God to allow Him to work through us? Are our actions leading others toward or away from God?

O Lord, help us to arise and spread your Good News to all the world through our words and works.

Amen.

Sunday, July 3, 2016

The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment.  Do not move about from one house to another.

Even when serving God, we will be tempted to misuse our talents and authority for personal gain or become prideful. This is why Jesus warns his disciples to carry nothing with them. He wants them to depend upon God, not themselves. He wants them to realize that God is the source of their good works. He also warns them to stay in the same house, to eat whatever is offered, and not to move around. This is because they should trust in Jesus’ words and that God will provide what they need. They should not seek out a more comfortable place. Instead, they should follow the guidance Jesus has given them and they shall receive the payment they deserve. In the same way, we are called to depend upon the Holy Spirit, listen to His inspirations, and do our good deeds not for selfish reasons, but because God wants us to do them.

Are we willing to trust in God completely? Are we willing to give up our personal interests and accept what God offers us? How can we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us more perfectly?

O Lord, we trust in you and will carry your peace wherever you call us to go.

Amen.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Thirteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.

Jesus' teachings were new and as such, they required a fresh start on the part of his disciples. Their old lives couldn't just be patched up. The new commandments Jesus proclaimed required them to cast aside their old lives and put on the life of Christ. Their lives before meeting Christ and after are too incompatible to coexist. Anyone who tries to live the Christ-like life while still clinging to their old passions, desires, and pride will eventually burst and be ruined. The lives Jesus is calling us to live require us to remake ourselves in his image by becoming proper vessels of his love, mercy, and grace. It is only when we do so that we can carry his Good News and truly preserve ourselves and others.

Have we taken Jesus' teachings to heart and transformed our lives? Have we truly remade ourselves in his image? Are we living new and fresh lives in faith and casting aside our old selfish selves?

O Lord, make us new in your love.

Amen.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Thirteenth Friday of Ordinary Time

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

God desires mercy, not sacrifice. It’s much easier to give things up out of our surplus of time, talents, or treasures than to forgive those who trespass against and persecute us. However, being merciful toward all is exactly what God expects from us. After all, it is what he offers to all His children and we should not pretend that our pride is more important than God’s Justice. If anyone has a reason to condemn us, it is God because of how we treat Him and His children. We choose sin over virtue, pleasures over righteousness, and our fears over trust in Him. Thankfully, He does not condemn us without giving us every chance to answer His call to reconciliation. All we have to do is accept His Mercy and then pour it out upon those in most need of it.

Are we merciful? Are we willing to forgive those who trespass against us? How can we become physicians of souls and not judges of sinners?

O Lord, we will follow in your footsteps and be merciful to all your children.

Amen.