The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age and Sarah herself was sterile for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.

Sometimes in our lives we have to take leaps of faith. We have to trust God will provide for us and give us what we need to overcome the obstacles in our path and achieve the goals we are being asked to accomplish. We might not know how we will fulfill God’s Will, or when, or where, or what will happen as a result of our actions, but if we trust in the Lord, then we shall receive the power and support we need to succeed.

Are we willing to obey God even when we are uncertain of where we are going or how we will accomplish His Will? Are we willing to allow God to lead us where He wants us to go? Do we trust God enough to put everything we have in His Hands to do with as He wishes?

O Lord, we believe you are trustworthy.

Amen.

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Worldly things will not last. They are as temporary as shadows at dusk. They soon disappear. Our love should be focused on God and His children. God first of all. All the temptations of the world will try to entice us away from our Heavenly Father, Loving Brother, and Holy Advocate. It is up to us to make the choice to turn our backs on the empty, temporary things of this world and instead embrace and value the promises of Heaven.

Are we doing God’s Will? What worldly things do we have the most difficulty resisting? How can we find the strength to choose our love of God over all else?

O Lord, may our relationship with you always be more enticing than all the world.

Amen.

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Walking the Way of Jesus, living his Life, and following his Truth are not always easy to do. In fact, they are very hard, but if we want to be truly perfect and holy, then we have to keep the Word of God and His teachings even when it is most difficult to do so. If we fail to do so, then we become liars and hypocrites. Christ’s footsteps will lead us along many paths and not all of them will be trouble-free. Some of the ways we will walk will demand sacrifices from us. Others will test our virtues. There will be obstacles we will need to overcome at great cost to ourselves. If we really want to know Christ, then we must we willing to walk beside him on the road to Calvary, suffer for him, die for him, and hand over our spirits to him to do with as God wills.

Are we willing to walk the Way of Christ no matter the suffering that might come from doing so? How can we more faithfully keep all of God’s commandments?  How can we be more perfectly united to God... our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

O Lord, help us to walk just as you walked.

Amen.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

We can’t continue to sin and have fellowship with God. We can’t be uncontrite and walk in the light. We need to admit we are sinners and amend our ways. Trying to hide them from God is like Adam and Eve hiding from Him in the Garden of Eden. God can see through the leaves and see the naked truth within us. Thankfully, He is a forgiving and merciful God and wants us to be cleansed of our sins and return to His side. So let us cast aside the darkness within us and choose to know, love, and serve God with all our hearts, minds, and strengths.

What darkness lives within us? How can we cast out the darkness and return completely to the light? How can we cultivate our fellowship with God and all His children?

O Lord, let us live in the light of your fellowship and mercy.

Amen.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life—for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

The Word of Life became flesh for us and just as he came into the world to bear the Good News, so too should we give witness to him and his teachings. Jesus’ incarnation is a reminder to us all that we are the sons and daughters of God and we are all called to manifest Him in our daily lives. We are asked to think His thoughts, speak His words, and perform His good works. We have the responsibility to make visible God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace for all. We do this when we proclaim the Gospels, live according to God’s commandments, and enter into fellowship with those around us. When we share our faith with others, we give them an opportunity to grow in their own faith and come to a deeper understanding and conversion of their souls. We are constantly giving witness to our faith in God because the people around us are watching... hopefully they see a God-bearing person, who leads them closer to their Lord.

How can we become incarnations of the Word of Life?  In what ways can we give witness to our faith? Are our thoughts, words, and works bringing others closer to God?

O Lord, make yourself visible through us.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

There will be times in our lives when we will be asked to defend our faith or be willing to suffer because of what we believe. It is during times like these that we should look to the martyrs for inspiration. We might not be stoned to death, but we may suffer hardships in order to do God’s Will. During these times of trial and tribulation, God will give us the grace and power we need to face our difficulties with faithful, hopeful, and loving hearts. We shall be able to love even our enemies and ask God’s forgiveness on them for they know not what they do. As long as we choose to think, speak, and act mercifully, like Christ and the martyrs who came before us, then we shall have nothing to fear... not even death.

Do we allow God to work through us by proclaiming the Good News to all we meet through our good works and kind spirits? Are we willing to suffer martyrdom for our faith? Do we pray to God for the wisdom we need to use the grace and power He has given us for our good and the good of others?

O Lord, fill us with your grace, power, and wisdom.

Amen.

The Nativity of the Lord

When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Christmas is a time to remember the kindness, love, and mercy God has shown to us through the act of His Incarnation. The Word becoming flesh is a testament to God’s generosity. His willingness to become a man for us and experience the world through our eyes in all ways but sin speaks volumes about how much He loves us. God the Father not only sends His Beloved Son into the world to teach us the Truth and guide us along the Way, but He also poured His Holy Spirit upon us in order to inspire us to live saintly lives. The birth of Jesus Christ heralds the moment God became man so He might make us into heirs to the Kingdom and grant us the hope of eternal life with Him.

What are we doing to make Christmas a special day dedicated to God and all He has done for us? How can we become incarnations of God’s Will, pouring ourselves out in faith, hope, and love? Are we living up to our calling to be heirs to the Kingdom of God?

O Lord, you are kind, loving, and merciful. Help us to be the same.

Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

This hymn of praise reminds us of the importance of praying to God for strength. None of us can bear our burdens alone. We need God’s help to keep from collapsing under the weight of our crosses, which are heavy with doubts, fears, anxieties, and all sorts of worldly worries. We need His Love to encourage and support us. We need His Holy Spirit to sustain and uphold us. We are His children and He will help us in every way to become the best people we can be. He will give us graces and talents to see us through every trial and accomplish good works, both great and small. All we have to do is recognize our dependence upon him, humble ourselves before Him in prayer and be obedient to the teachings of Christ and his Church.

Do we pray to God for strength, especially during our daily trials? How can we share our crosses with God more faithfully? What can we do to show God we are willing to submit to His Will?

O Lord, strengthen us.

Amen.

Third Saturday of Advent

For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

These words have been used to describe John the Baptist and Jesus, but they also describe what the sacrament of reconciliation does for all of us. It offers us a chance to be refined and purified. It removes our impurities by burning them away. In a similar way, the sacrament of reconciliation can rid us of our imperfections and sins, granting us the grace to become worthy vessels of God’s Will on earth. By seeking forgiveness with contrite hearts and doing our penances, we are emptied of all our sins and transformed into pleasing and faithful followers.

Do we make ourselves available to the sacrament of reconciliation and the graces it offers us? Are we willing to allow God to burn away our imperfections and refine our souls? How can we becomes living vessels, bearing God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace to all the world?

O Lord, refine and purify us.

Amen.

Third Friday of Advent

After the boy's father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: "Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.  I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD."

When God gives us something, be it a talent, a grace, or any other gift, our first reaction should be to give something to God in return. We can offer up the talents He has given us as a living prayer to Him. We can thank Him for all the graces He has given us from the first moment of our conception to our last breath on earth and the promise of eternal life afterwards. We can make our lives into living sacrifices to the Lord, transforming ourselves into faithful offerings to our God, Most High. We can dedicate ourselves to the Lord and allow Him to do with us what he needs to have done.

What are we giving to God in recognition for all He has done for us? How can we be more faithful in presenting ourselves, our thoughts, words, and works to God? How can we become more dedicated to our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, we turn our lives over to you as dedicated sacrifices.

Amen.

Third Thursday of Advent

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.

We should all shout for joy in response to how well God treats us. He created us at the moment of our conception and has loved us from the first spark of life. He protected us in the womb and has be our shield every since our birth. He loves us like a Father, who knows our hearts and minds and wants only the best for us. He is merciful to us when we fall into temptation and sin, seeking only to correct us and help us to make amends. He wants us to be saved and so He forgives and forgets as long as we come to Him with humble and contrite hearts. He will aid us in all our good endeavors and defend us from all our enemies. He will always be with us and because of this eternal Truth, we should never be afraid.

Are we joyful people, exulting God for all the good He has done for us? If not, then how might we cultivate a joyous spirit? Do we realize God is always with us and we have nothing to fear?

O Lord, we are glad to have you as our Heavenly Father and exult you with all our hearts.

Amen.

Third Wednesday of Advent

The LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"

We shouldn’t tempt the Lord nor should we look for signs, which can lead us astray. Instead, we should pray about each decision we make and discern God’s Will through our conscience. We cannot depend upon God to lead us to the right choices through outward signs, but we can depend upon the Holy Spirit giving us the grace to know right from wrong. Yes, from time to time God will send us a sign, but we shouldn’t put our faith in the sign, but rather in God. If a sign comes from God, then good will come from it, but if it comes from our imaginations, misconceptions, or even from the Devil, then we could be lead astray. This is why we should rely on our God-given sense of right and wrong and make every effort to live holy lives founded upon the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church.

Do we pray before making important decisions? Do we allow God into our daily choices? How can we foster a well-formed conscience?

O Lord, grant us a sense of right and wrong and the will to choose good over the evil.

Amen.

Third Tuesday of Advent

A man of God came to me; he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed.  I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name. But he said to me, “You will be with child and will bear a son. So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean. For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb, until the day of his death.”

God calls us all to be consecrated to Him from the womb. He wants us to be His with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. He wants us to listen to Him and obey His commandments and teachings. He wants us to be God-bearing people filled with the Holy Spirit and not with worldly worries and concerns. He wants us to be holy people, willing to live prudently and in full self-control. He wants us to be saints, not sinners... to do good and not evil. He wants to share Himself with each of us so we might share in His Kingdom after our deaths.

Are we living our lives as if they are consecrated to God? How can we live more prudently? In what ways are we keeping ourselves spiritually clean?

O Lord, we consecrate ourselves to you.

Amen.

Third Monday of Advent

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: "The LORD our justice."

God is just. He never burdens us with trials or obstacles we can’t carry or overcome. Like Mary and Joseph, we will be faced by many difficulties because of our faith in God, but as long as we trust in Him and live in the footsteps of Jesus, then we will be saved and secure our souls from evil and death.

What trials and obstacles are we facing? How can we show our trust in God as we face these difficulties? Are we truly doing a good job of preparing the way of the Lord in our lives?

O Lord, may your justice rule over us and the whole world.

Amen.

Third Sunday of Advent

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil.

Rejoice, pray, and give thanks without ceasing... this is the will of God for all of us. God wants us to be filled with joy and happiness. He wants us to be cheerful even in the midst of our daily trials. He wants us to pray to Him constantly and be in dialogue with Him through the Holy Spirit so our relationship with Him can bear much fruit. He wants us to give thanks to Him for all the good He has done for us. He wants us to accept His Love, Mercy, and Grace with adoring, contrite, and humble hearts. He wants us to be on fire with the Holy Spirit and listen to the voice of our consciences. He wants us to be open to His inspirations sent to us through our thoughts and the thoughts, words, and works of others. He wants us to test everything in order to make sure our days are filled with people, places, and things which lead to good and avoid all evil. In short, He wants us to be alive in Jesus Christ so we might live with Him forever in heaven.

Do we have joyful hearts, even in the midst of trials? Do we pray without ceasing and give thanks to God all the days of our lives? Are we letting the Holy Spirit think, speak, and work through us for the good of all?

O Lord, we rejoice in you. We pray to you. We give thanks to you.

Amen.

Second Saturday of Advent

How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Whose glory is equal to yours? You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses. You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Just like the prophet Elijah, we are called to be a light to the world and enkindle the fires of faith within others. We are asked to do wondrous deeds, both great and small, through acts of love and mercy. We are given the responsibility to proclaim the Good News to all whom we meet through our words and share our faith through our works. We are tasked with turning the hearts of others to God and to reestablish other people’s relationships with our Heavenly Father. We should be a blessing to others in everything we do.

What are the deeds God is asking us to do? Are we fulfilling our responsibility to be prophets of the Good News? How can we become living blessings to all those whom we meet each day?

O Lord, grant us the fire of your Holy Spirit so we might set fire to the world.

Amen.

Second Friday of Advent

I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; Your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, Their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence.

All of God’s commandments and teachings are for our own good. We might find them difficult to follow, but that doesn’t mean we should disobey them. We might not understand them, but that doesn’t mean we should turn a deaf ear to them. Instead, we should strive to do good and avoid evil because even though it might be hard, it is the right thing to do. Similarly, we should place our faith in God’s teachings in the hopes we shall one day come to an understanding of those teachings we have trouble understanding. By doing these things, we place our trust in God above ourselves. We say, “As you wish, Lord.” And He in turn will give us all the graces we need to prosper in our spiritual journey and have our names written in the book of life.

Do we trust all of God’s commandments and teachings are for our own good, even when they are most difficult to follow? Are we willing to follow God’s Will wherever it will take us? Are we willing to make the leaps of faith we need to in order to go where God is leading us?

O Lord, teach us what is good and lead us to the Promised Land.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, "Fear not, I will help you." Fear not, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel; I will help you, says the LORD; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. I will make of you a threshing sledge, sharp, new, and double-edged, To thresh the mountains and crush them, to make the hills like chaff. When you winnow them, the wind shall carry them off and the storm shall scatter them. But you shall rejoice in the LORD, and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

We might not be able to overcome every worldly obstacle on our own, but thankfully God is with us. He is more then willing to lend us a hand out of the darkness and into the light. He constantly tells us to, “Fear not!” After all, He is our Father and King. He won’t let anything happen to us unless we truly want it for ourselves. He won’t force faith or truth on us. He lets us make our own choice. Hopefully, we choose Him above all… even ourselves.

Do we realize God is with us? How can we live more mindfully of this truth? What can we do to make better choices that will lead us to eternal life with our Father and King?

O Lord, help us.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

God doesn’t get tired of us. He loves us just as much when we are saintly and when we are sinful. He does not force us to do anything, but rather lets us choose. He wants us to be good and faithful servants because we love Him and He is willing to wait patiently for us to come to Him. His unwavering love does not grow faint or weary, but that doesn’t mean His Love and Mercy for us will trump His Justice. If we fall into sin, He is more than willing to forgive us. However, we need to be contrite for our sins and honestly desire to amend our lives. We might not always succeed, but we should not grow weary of trying to be holy. God gives us every strength and grace we need to overcome the temptations we face. He gives us spiritual vigor during our times of trial and will renew us after every battle with our sinful selves. If we let Him, He will grant us wings which will bear us to heaven and eternal life.

Do we give thanks to God for being so patient with us? Are we truly grateful for the love, mercy, and support He has given us throughout our lives? How can we express our thanks for all God has done for us?

O Lord, give us your strength and vigor.

Amen.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.

Mary is the Mother of God and all His children. She loves us unconditionally, as a perfect parent. She is an advocate for us before the Heavenly Father just like many mothers are advocates for their children. She is a role model for us, showing us how to know, love, and serve God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. She is a servant of God and of us, who works tirelessly and patiently to lead us to a closer relationship with Jesus, her son and our brother. She is a mold, who can shape us into good and faithful servants. She is filled with grace and the Holy Spirit and through her role as His Holy Spouse, she asks for us every spiritual blessing we need in order to thrive as her children. She comforts us when we are sorrowful and will never leave our side, just as she never left Jesus.

Do we give thanks to God for giving us Mary as our spiritual Mother? What can we learn from her life of service and humility? How can we become better children of God, our Father, and Mary, our Mother?

O Lord, we thank you for our Blessed Mother, Mary.

Amen.

Second Monday of Advent

Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Our lives are not only about ourselves and our own conduct. They are also about our relationship with God and His children, especially those who are suffering, weakened, or forgotten. We are called to be good and faithful servants to those in most need of God’s Love and Mercy. We are asked to be His hands, bearing good things to others. We are asked to be His feet, walking to where we can do the most good. We are tasked with lending aid to those who are feeble, to support those who are weak, and to encourage those who are frightened. We are meant to be living acts of charity and mercy, pouring out God’s Grace to all whom we meet each day. We are supposed to be signs and guides, leading the lost back to their Lord and Savior. We are given the responsibility to help others overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of them becoming good and faithful servants, too.

How are we serving those in most need of God’s Love and Mercy? What can we do to lead others to a closer relationship with God? In what ways are we lending aid to those who are in need of spiritual support while traveling the narrow path to heaven?

O Lord, give us the grace to strengthen the feeble, support the weak, and encourage the frightened.

Amen.

Second Sunday of Advent

Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

We should be eager to live virtuous lives... to do good and avoid evil. We should be eager to rid ourselves of our imperfections and resist all temptations. We should be eager to be at peace with God and ourselves and not caught up in the chaos of the world around us. Throughout each day we will be tested by distractions, doubts, sufferings, obstacles, and all manner of trials, but as long as we choose what is right over what is wrong and put our trust in God, then we shall find inner tranquility. The world might race around us and people might run here or there, but we shall remain where we need to be... centered in Christ. Earthly things may try to divert our attention from God and from good deeds, but we shall remain focused on the Way, Truth, and Life that Jesus has shown us. It is not easy to live spotless lives and to be at peace, but as long as we seek reconciliation with God we shall be given both... and much more: eternal life.

Are we eager to live out our faith? Are we willing to deny ourselves worldly things in order to remain unblemished? How can we better base our lives on the calm and steady rock that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

O Lord, purify us in the fires of your love and mercy and grant us your peace.

Amen.

First Saturday of Advent

No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way; walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, And the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant.

God guides us in many ways. He gives the His Holy Spirit to inspire us to holiness. He gives us our consciences to remind us of right and wrong. He gives us models in the faith through, Jesus, Mary, and the saints. He shows us the way to live as good and faithful servants. He gives us guidance through the Scriptures and the traditions and teachings of the Church. He gives us the sacraments to sustain us. He pours out His Love, Mercy, and Grace so our souls might flourish in the faith and we might produce good fruits through our thoughts, words, and works.

Are we accepting of God’s guidance and help? What way does God want us to walk? How can we be more open to the outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, show us the way we are called to walk in this life.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.  In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

We are all adopted children of God through Jesus Christ, who made us his brothers and sisters through his life, passion, death, and resurrection. He broke his body and poured out his blood for us in order to secure us our adoption... to make us co-heirs to the Kingdom of God. He shows us how to be good and faithful children to our Heavenly Father. He shared his own Holy Mother with us while on the cross and asked us to take her into our homes and hearts. He gave us his Holy Spirit to be our advocate and constant guide. He has offered his love, his mercy, his saving and sanctifying grace to fill us with good things so we might grow in favor with God and give praise and glory to Him for all He has done for us.

How are we living out our calling to be co-heirs to the kingdom of God? What can we do to become more faithful children of our Lord? Do we give thanks for all the blessings God has given us, especially the Holy Spirit and our Holy Queen, Mary?

O Lord, bless us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock.

God is our Rock and if our lives are founded on Him, we shall not lose them. No storm of suffering will topple us. No quake of fear will bring us down. No flood of woes shall wash us away. With God as our cornerstone, we can withstand any trial and stand firm against all temptations. We shall survive all difficulties if we trust in God and let Him lead us to a saintly life. It may not be easy to keep the faith in the midst of sufferings, but reaching the Gates of Heaven is worth every test we must undertake.

Are our lives founded on Our Lord and God? Do we trust Him to support us through every trial? How can we make God the foundation of our every thought, word, and work?

O Lord, we trust in you, Our Rock and Savior.

Amen.

First Wednesday of Advent

On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

In the end, God will destroy death for all those who choose to follow Him. He will release us from the bonds of sin and its fruit of death. He will wipe away our tears of suffering and save us from all the pains and ills of this world. His Saving Grace, will bring joy and happiness to all of us who walked the path of salvation with Him. This freeing and wondrous future is offered to us all. We have only to accept it from God’s open hands and choose the good over the evil, the right over the wrong, the just over the injustice… virtue over vice.

Are we allowing God to unveil our eyes so we can see right and wrong clearly?  Do we believe God will save even us, who are sinful? When are we going to accept God’s Grace and Mercy and amend our lives so He can invite us to Heaven with Him?

O Lord, save us!

Amen.

First Tuesday of Advent

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

The Holy Spirit has many gifts to offer us and He does so with generosity and compassion. He desires for us to be wise, understanding, full of good counsel, strong in faith, knowledgeable, and fearful of letting the Lord down. He offers us eyes to see the Way, ears to hear the Truth, and hearts to live the Life of Christ. He gives us the guidance of our consciences to help us lead just lives and choose right over wrong. He wants us to be sealed to Him through righteousness and faithfulness and never leave His side. He wants only the best for us, but He will not force His Will on us. Instead, He lets us make our own choices to accept or deny His gifts of our own free will.

How can we strengthen the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us? How can we conform our lives to justice toward all and fidelity to God? Are we willing to bind ourselves to God, giving up earthly goods, in order to become good and faithful servants?

O Lord, send down your Holy Spirit and His gifts.

Amen.

First Monday of Advent

“Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.

Once we recognize God is our Lord and King, we shall be like the nations mentioned here... we shall find peace. The conflicts in our lives, both great and small, come from rebellions against God. From Adam and Eve to our own sinfulness, we wage a war with ourselves. We do what we know is wrong and avoid the good because being a sinner is easier than being a saint. However, if we want to have a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, then we must climb the mountain of holiness, follow its narrow path, and exert every effort to live good and faithful lives. We might stumble and fall along the way, but as long as we dust ourselves off, return to the right path, and trust in God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace, then we shall eventually find the Gates of Heaven and be found worthy to join in the never-ending Beatific Feast.

Are we climbing the mountain of holiness or sliding into the valley of sin? How can we amend our lives so we can more easily follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life that leads to Heaven? What can we do to become living saints?

O Lord, lead us up the mountain to eternal life with you.

Amen.

First Sunday of Advent

I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has bestowed on us many graces throughout our lives. We might not notice them. We may take them for granted. Or we may even turn our backs on them, but they are always within our reach. All we have to do is accept them, use them wisely and well, and give God thanks for all His help. If we welcome God’s Grace into our hearts, then He will enrich us in every way with virtues, holiness, works of charity and mercy, and spiritual rewards. He will make us into saints fashioned in the likeness of Jesus, our Lord and King.

What graces has God given us? Do we give Him glory, praise, and thanksgiving for all He has done for us? How can we more perfectly put to use the physical, mental, and spiritual graces God has provided us?

O Lord, keep us firm in our faith to the end.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Saturday of Ordinary Time

But when the court is convened, and his power is taken away by final and absolute destruction, Then the kingship and dominion and majesty of all the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting: all dominions shall serve and obey him.

We are all called to serve and obey our Lord and King. He has done so much for each of us from conception through life to our eventual death. He has provided everything we need to grow in faith, hope, and love. He has give us consciences to guide us and grace to sustain us. He has sent us His Beloved Son as a sacrifice for our good and as an example of how to live our lives in accordance with His commandments. He has taught us all we need to know, in order to follow His teachings and live holy lives. He has given us insights into how we can live our lives as saintly people and has inspired us through the Holy Spirit. He is the King of All Holiness and wants us to be His People now and forever more.

In what ways are we serving God? Have we done our best to follow His commandments, live out His teachings, and listen to His inspirations? How can we become better imitators of our King and Savior?

O Lord, you are the Most High. Your Kingdom will last forever.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Friday of Ordinary Time

As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Everything in this world will pass away. Countries, families, friends, possessions, wealth, fame, influence, and all other earthly things. However, there is one thing which will remain: God’s dominion over all. He existed before creation and formed the universe out of nothing. He is the beginning and end of all that was, is, and ever will be. He may have delegated his dominion over the world to us through Adam, but in the end, we are but tenants who work the fields of this life, but must return the harvest to God when He sends for His share. Everything we have is wholly His and we would do well to remember the gifts, talents, and goods we have are borrowed. This is why we give Him glory, honor, and praise for all He has done for us. His gracious gifts are a cause for constant thanksgiving and humble reverence before our Lord and King.

Are our lives pledged to worldly things or to heavenly ones? Are we willing to give God dominion over our thoughts, words, and works? How can we do a better job of giving all glory, honor, and praise to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all they have done for us?

O Lord, we are your humble servants.

Amen.

Three-Year Anniversary!

Wow! It's been three whole years since I started this spiritual reflection blog. According to my stats' button, this site has had over 11,000 visits. To all of you who have taken a few minutes out of your day to read some of my reflections... Thank you!

I look forward to reflecting on the daily Old Testament readings (since we've read all the daily gospels over the course of the past three years) and Sunday gospels from Mark with you in the coming year.*

Lastly, I hope you will continue to walk with me on this journey and explore the wonderful readings the Catholic Church.

*For those who don't know, each year's Sunday readings focus on a particular gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John is used for special occasions, such as the Easter season. This way Catholics who do the daily readings read a good amount of the Old Testament and most of the New Testament every three years!

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame.

As Christians, we are called to profess our faith through our words and works. The people who hear and see us should know without a doubt we are Christians by our expressions and acts of love and mercy. And if we do these things, we will never be put to shame. No persecution, mocking, failure, disrespect, or other suffering will be able to touch us because our hearts will be protected as long as they remain true to God and believe in the promise of eternal life. It is this belief in the resurrection that sparks us to action and to sacrifice for God and for others.

Do we confess Jesus is Lord through word and deed? Do we believe in our hearts God raised him from the dead? Do we trust no matter what might happen to us God will never allow us to be put to shame?

O Lord, we believe in you with our whole hearts.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

But the God in whose hand is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify. By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down. "This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, TEKEL, and PERES. These words mean: MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians."

We should all hope we don’t suffer the same fate as King Belshazzar. However, there are times in our lives when we are tempted to act like him. We fall into deadly sins and instead of our thoughts, words, and works giving glory to God, we take the glory for ourselves. We let our pride and selfishness blind us from giving God the credit for our successes. He is the source of all Good and deserves all glory, praise, and thanksgiving. If we fail to amend our lives, then like King Belshazzar, we shall find our days numbered, our souls found wanting, and our possessions divided. However, if we give our lives over to God completely, then He shall find us worthy to stay with Him in Heaven, give us spiritual treasures beyond counting, and provide us endless days.

Are we allowing our pride and selfishness to keep us from living in accordance with God’s commandments, teachings, and inspirations? In what ways are we giving glory to God? Do we recognize God as the source of all Good, the center of our lives, and the summit of our faith?

O Lord, we give you all glory, praise, and thanksgiving.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever. That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold.

Everything man-made has a beginning and an end. Only God is eternal. Wealth, power, possessions and other worldly things will eventually fail us, crumbling to dust. Our bodies will fail, our minds weaken, and death will overtake us. However, if we found ourselves upon the rock of Christ and live in accordance with God’s commandments, Jesus’ teachings, and the Holy Spirit’s inspirations, then we shall have a solid foundation which will resist all trials and sufferings. If we choose to model ourselves on Christ, then we might die, but we shall be given eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.

Are our lives founded on worldly or heavenly things? Have we modeled our lives on the Life of Christ? How can we build our thoughts, words, and works upon the solid rock of faith in God?

O Lord, make our hearts into mountains dedicated to you.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Monday of Ordinary Time

Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see." He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah trusted that as long as they sought to remain pure and undefiled God would provide them with the sustenance they would need to survive and even thrive. They chose to risk their lives in order to live out their faith. They chose to fast for their Lord and God instead of feast on worldly pleasures. Because of their faith, they grew in wisdom and prudence and found favor with the king. Their trust was rewarded just as our trust in God is rewarded today. We might not be taken captive and asked to eat unclean foods, but we are tempted and the world asks us to partake in lives of sin. This is why it is so important for us to place our faith in God and trust He will deliver us from all evil. He may let us suffer setbacks in this life, but they are only meant to strengthen our beliefs and prove our love for Him above all. It is not an easy path to keep ourselves clean from sin, but it is necessary if we want to have a place in the everlasting feast.

Do we trust God will see us through every trial? How can we keep ourselves pure and undefiled? Are we willing to suffer and fast in this life in order to enjoy and celebrate the next one?

O Lord, see us through every test of our faith, hope, and love.

Amen.

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.  And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

In the end, there are only two destinations for us: heaven or hell. Our thoughts, words, and works paired with our faith in the Holy Trinity determine where we go. If we know, love, and serve God and His children to the best of our abilities and with faithful and hopeful hearts, then we shall go to heaven. If we love ourselves more than God and choose worldly goods over heavenly ones, then we shall send ourselves to hell. If we are willing to suffer and sacrifice for the good of others and the glory of God, then we shall be rewarded with eternal life. If we sacrifice others for our own gain and seek only to exult ourselves, then we shall be humbled in infernal flames. If we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit to where we need to be and what we need to do, then we shall find the narrow path to God and enter the Gates of Heaven. If we ignore our consciences and make our own way, then we shall wander the wide road to our own destruction. The choice is ours... either we bend the knee to our Lord and King or we enslave ourselves to sin and selfishness. Hopefully, we choose the former.

Are we acting like God’s sheep or the devil’s goats? Are we willing to let go and let God be Lord and King over our lives? How can we give Him glory, honor, and praise through our actions?

O Lord, we are your sheep... lead us to where we need to be and show us what we need to do.

Amen.

Thirty-Third Saturday of Ordinary Time

"Into what tribulation have I come, and in what floods of sorrow am I now! Yet I was kindly and beloved in my rule." But I now recall the evils I did in Jerusalem, when I carried away all the vessels of gold and silver that were in it, and for no cause gave orders that the inhabitants of Judah be destroyed. I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me; and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land."

Sometimes we don’t realize the evils we’ve done to others. We are blinded by our sins, our selfishness, our goods, our fame, and all sorts of worldly things. We only see the terrible things we’ve done in hindsight. Our reaction to this revelation of our own misdeeds can either be like Antiochus where we blame all the evils that have befallen us on our sins or we can try to make amends for what we’ve done and failed to do. We can tell those we have wronged, especially God, we are truly sorry for our failures. We can make good confessions with humble and contrite hearts. We can accept absolution from our priests and do penance for our sins. We can firmly promise to avoid those temptations that lead us into evil. Knowing we have done wrong should not paralyze us, but rather it should lead us to renew ourselves through the sacrament of reconciliation.

What evil things have we done to others? Have we sought God’s forgiveness for these sins? Have we made amends for our failings with those we have harmed?

O Lord, help us to make good confessions with humble and contrite hearts.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests' chambers and furnished them with doors. There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed.

Here we have a description of the aftermath of the purification and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, but what does this have to do with us? More than we might think if we consider ourselves... bodies, minds, and souls to be temples to God. If that is the case, then we can recognize the need to purify and rededicate ourselves after we fall into sin. And when we do so through the sacrament of reconciliation, we should celebrate like the Israelites did. We should come to the altar of sacrifice, offer our prayers, alms, and mortifications to God as burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. We should adorn ourselves with thoughts, words, and works of charity and mercy, giving glory to God who is the source, center, and summit of all goodness. We should be overjoyed that we have swept clean our hearts and made them ready to be temples to our Lord and God.

How do we purify ourselves after we sin and rededicate ourselves after receiving reconciliation? Do we celebrate and give thanksgiving to God for all He has forgiven us? How can we adorn ourselves with good words and works?

O Lord, we offer ourselves as living temples to you.

Amen.

Thanksgiving Day

And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will! May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; May his goodness toward us endure in Israel to deliver us in our days.

We should all praise and bless our Lord and God. He has given us so many good things throughout our lives from life itself to His Divine Mercy. He has helped us in many ways, seen and unseen. We will only truly know how much after we die and behold everything He has done for us. He has given us guardian angels to watch over and protect us. He has given us every opportunity to live our lives in accordance with His Will. He offers us life everlasting as long as we are humble and contrite and do penance with the hope of sinning no more. He grants us joy of heart and peace of mind and spirit if we trust in Him. His Goodness towards us knows no bounds and will deliver us from every evil if we allow Him to lift us up in our times of need.

Do we give God the glory, honor, and praise that He deserves? What can we do in thanksgiving for all God has given us? How can we learn to treat others as God treats us... with love, mercy, and enduring kindness?

O Lord, thank you for all you have done for us.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

"I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man's beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law."

It can be difficult to disregard ourselves for the sake of our faith, but it is necessary if we want to receive the reward of eternal life. Throughout our lives we will be tempted in many ways to abandon or compromise our beliefs, to do evil, and turn our backs on God. We might be lured by pride, envy, wrath, greed, lust, gluttony, or sloth, but these sins lead to death. The only way to live forever is to choose faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice as the pillars of our every thought, word, and work. By building our lives around these holy virtues, we can overcome all temptations, avoid sin, and embrace the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ.

Are we willing to give up everything for God? How can we resist temptations to selfishness and sin? What are we doing to build our lives on virtue and self-giving?

O Lord, we are willing to disregard ourselves for your sake and the sake of your children.

Amen.

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws.

When we are faced with choices in this life, we need to think not only of the effect our decision will have on us, but also on others. What people see us do influences them, especially the young, who are impressionable. If they see us take the easy way out or use deception to get what we want, then they will carry that lesson into their lives. We might not even know how our sins effect them in this life, but when we die God will show us how we lead others astray. At the same time, if we do good and avoid evil, then we give others an example of what it means to be Christian. We show them how to live our lives in imitation of Jesus and to be not afraid to become living sacrifices to God’s Glory.

Do we think about others before we make our decisions? How can we live lives that model what it means to be Christians? What can we do to show others, especially the young how to know, love, and serve God and His children?

O Lord, make us into noble examples of how to sacrifice ourselves for you.

Amen.

Thirty-Third Monday of Ordinary Time

Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree. But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.

There are many ways to die from physical death to dying to one’s selfish instincts. As Christians, we are constantly under siege by temptation. We are told by the world it is okay to do what is wrong as long as it makes us feel good. We are told to put ourselves before God and others. We are told we are wasting our time by praying, doing good works, or imitating Jesus. The world frowns on all these things and persecutes us when we choose what is right over what is easy. Those who do not believe put us to death in various ways from being angry with us to ignoring us. They try to force us to see the error of our ways and if we do not conform to our worldly passions, then they turn their backs on us, mock us, or even strike out against us. Being a Christian in a secular world can cause us many trials and tribulations, but thankfully if we are faithful we shall overcome all obstacles and enter into eternal life.

Are we willing to die for our faith? How can we resist the temptation to live worldly lives? How can we become living examples of what it means to live sacrificial lives?

O Lord, we are willing to die for you and your Good News.

Amen.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two.  But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.

God never gives us more than we can handle. He always gives us responsibilities that are suited to our talents and the grace to use those talents to fulfill our duties. It is up to us to use our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual abilities to magnify God and bear good fruits. We are asked by God to invest our time, talents, and treasures into what will bring glory to Him and the greatest good to others. We might be intimidated by what God is asking us to do, but that doesn’t give us an excuse not to try. We should be afraid of letting God down far more than we are that He will fail us. He asks us to simply give the tasks before us our best shots. If we succeed, great, if we fail that is fine... the important thing from God’s point of view is we overcame our fears and tried.

What talents has God given us? Where are we investing our time, talents, and treasures? How can we do a better job of doing what He is asking us to do?

O Lord, give us the grace and courage to use our talents to magnify you in all things.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Saturday of Ordinary Time

The cloud overshadowed their camp; and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging: Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road, and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood. Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, after they beheld stupendous wonders. For they ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.

There are times in our lives when all of us feel cornered. It seems the walls are closing in and at any moment we might be overcome by ill-fortune or even our enemies. However, if we trust in God, then we will have a peace in our hearts that no trial or suffering can touch because we know God is with us. And when He shows His Love and Mercy, He can split the waters of despair around us and open the way for our escape. He gives us shelter and delivers us from evil. With God on our side, we are never truly trapped because He is willing to break our bonds and release us. It may not be in this life, but it will happen and we should take great comfort in knowing He will never abandon us.

Are there areas of our lives where we feel cornered and helpless? Do we pray to God for deliverance from these trials? In what ways do we help others out of their difficulties?

O Lord, you are our hope, our shelter, and our deliverer.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods, let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these; for the original source of beauty fashioned them. Or if they were struck by their might and energy, let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them. For from the greatness and the beauty of created things their original author, by analogy, is seen.

Everything beautiful and majestic in this world and beyond was created by God and reflects His beauty, might, and power. The earth, the sea, and the sky are ruled over by the Lord of Lords. The animals that walk, swim, and fly have their source in the mind of their Creator. All living things are rooted in the Divine. We, as men and women, find our origin, purpose, and end in Him, who is the source, center, and summit of our lives. So too, He gives us might and energy through the graces He offers us each day. All that is good reflects and magnifies the splendor of our Heavenly Father, His Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit. With all of these beautiful things around us, we have no excuse not to see God’s Hand in our lives... in the daily miracles, great and small, that surround us from the moment we wake to the moment we fall asleep again. In light of this, we should give constant thanks for all we have been given and for the gifts and talents God has provided us.

Do we recognize God’s beauty, might, and power in the people, places, and things that surround us? Do we give thanks for all God has given us? How can we magnify God’s beauty, might, and power through our thoughts, words, and works?

O Lord, you are the source of all that is good and praise-worthy.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Thursday of Ordinary Time

In Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, Manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, Not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.

Here we have a description of the various traits of Wisdom and we would do well if we aligned our lives to manifest as many of these in our own lives. For God loves those who are wise. He wants us to be intelligent, holy, and unique in our faith. He wants us to be manifold by magnifying Him through our thoughts, words, and works. He wants us to be subtle in how we lead others to the truth. He wants us to be agile in our response to the needs of others and clear in our intentions. He wants us to remain unstained by sin and never baneful towards our enemies. He wants us to love the good. He wants us to be keen in mind and heart, unhampered by worries or doubts. He wants us to be beneficent and kindly. He wants us to be firm, secure, and tranquil in our hope. He wants us to believe He is All-Powerful, All-Seeing, and All-Present for us. This is a daunting task, but it is what we need to do if we want to be considered one of the wise and not one of the foolish.

Are we living up to our calling to be wise? How can we grow in our wisdom? Do we take time to gather the knowledge and understanding we need in order to form our consciences and become wise?

O Lord, make us into embodiments of your Wisdom.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Wednesday of Ordinary Time

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

As followers of Christ, we might be seen by others as pitiable and misguided. The world might tell us we are deluding ourselves and letting opportunities to enjoy life, improve our lot, and fulfill our desires to pass us by… all in the hopes of an afterlife. The see us choose the uncertain, unverifiable promise of one day joining the Holy Trinity in Heaven over worldly things and shake their heads at us. However, we are not to be pitied. Instead, we should embrace our death to the world and accept our call to choose the heavenly things of the eternal tomorrow over the earthly things of the passing today. It is this hope for a blessed afterlife which should animate our thoughts, words, and works and allow us to become living sacrifices for the glory of God and the good of others.

Are there earthly things that tempt us? If so, then how can we resist those temptations and die to the world? How can we become better living sacrifices to God’s glory and for the good of His other children?

O Lord, give us the peace that comes with being tested and proved in the furnace of your love.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time

For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Even though we might suffer and be persecuted for our faith, we will not go unrewarded for our fidelity to God and His teachings as handed down to us through the Scriptures and the Church. We might be asked to make sacrifices, but none of the things we will give up in this life will compare to the blessings we will receive when we come into the Kingdom. Each day, we are tested by God, not because He wants us to fail, but because He wants us to succeed in what is most important in life. He gives us every grace and opportunity to do the greatest good with our lives and to become living saints. Whatever we suffer is simply meant to purify us of those attachments that are holding us back from knowing, loving, and serving God and others more perfectly. Our sacrifices when united with those of Jesus Christ shine for all to see and like living fires sent the world ablaze with the love of God. We are all called to be witnesses to the faith and it is only through trial and triumph that we can give the best of witnesses... the witness of self-gift.

Are we willing to suffer a little in this world in order to enjoy the feasts in heaven? How can we prove ourselves to God and give a fruitful witness to the Good News? In what ways can we set the world ablaze with the love of God?

O Lord, we offer ourselves to you as living sacrifices for your glory.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin

Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him. For perverse counsels separate a man from God, and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy; Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.

Loving justice means not only embracing the wisdom that leads to right judgment, but living holy lives that reflect that wisdom. Knowing and doing are two different things. We can be wise in thought, but foolish in practice because we do the things we do not want to do. Like Paul we do what we hate in spite of knowing it is wrong. No one is perfect, the key is to be the best we can be by obeying the commandments, following Jesus’ teachings, and listening to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. This means denying our sinful passions, being willing to suffer in order to do what is right and good, and turning our backs on temptations. Only then will our hearts be open enough to receive wisdom, act upon it, and truly love justice.

Are we living wise lives? How can we align our thoughts, words, and works so they are both wise and righteous? What can we do to uproot evil and grow goodness within our hearts?

O Lord, help us to live lives filled with your righteous wisdom.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

Spiritual wisdom is something we should all strive for in our lives. It is build upon the pillars of knowledge and understanding. In order to become wise, we must seek the knowledge of how to know, love, and serve God and others more perfectly. So too, we need to understand the divine truths that are at the heart of our faith, the source of our hope, and the foundation of holiness. This spiritual knowledge and understanding are gifts from the Holy Spirit and they lead to a third gift... the wisdom to seek the good and avoid the evil and the insights to distinguish between the two. Being wise leads us to be spiritually prepared for anything we might come across as Christians and allows us to make prudent decisions about how best to live our lives so we are prepared for the coming of the Lord.

Are we actively seeking the knowledge we need to be holy? How can we grow in our understanding of the Good News as handed down to us through the Scriptures and teachings of the Church? What can we do to become wise in our love of God and others?

O Lord, grant us your wisdom.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

At the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks of various Gentiles and Jews who have helped him or the Church in some way. By doing so, he reminds us of the universality of the Christian faith. Afterward, he gives us a hymn of praise to God for all He has revealed to the people of His newborn Church. He speaks of the strength God gives His followers through grace and the truth He has given through Jesus’ life and the prophetic writings of the Scriptures. He points out all God has done for us is meant to bring about the obedience of faith. It is this faith that unites and binds us together as Christians and leads us to lives guided by love and mercy. Lives which proclaim the Gospel to all the world.

Who are the people in our lives who have helped us live our faith? How have we helped them and others to grow in holiness? What can we do to build up the Church and our love of God?

O Lord, glory be to you forever and ever.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another's foundation, but as it is written: Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.

We should all aspire to proclaim the Gospel to everyone we meet, whether they know the Good News or not. Unlike in Paul’s time most people have at least heard of Jesus, but hearing about him and knowing his teachings are two different things. The best way to spread the Gospel is to live it out through our thoughts, words, and works. By becoming living signs of God’s Goodness, Love, and Truth, we give witness to our faith so even non-believers take notice of. We might not be perfect, but what matters to trying to be the best we can be so others around us see our attempt to be holy and are inspired by it.

In what ways have we proclaimed the Gospel? What have we done to make ourselves into faithful witnesses to the Good News? How can we help others to know, love, and serve God?

O Lord, help us to proclaim the Gospels through our every thought, word, and work.

Amen.

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

"This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."

Many of us who read this passage might think of the water flowing from the Temple as the love, mercy, and grace of God, but on another level this passage speaks about us as well. We are all called to be living temples to God, allowing His Goodness to pour out of us through our thoughts, words, and works. We are asked to empty ourselves so we might be filled with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are responsible for bringing God into the world through our actions. We are tasked with magnifying God by refreshing the world with our purity and holiness. God gives us every opportunity to grow in the faith, to bear good fruits, and to give life to others. We might not always think of ourselves as fonts of God’s grace, but that is what we are called to be as Christians and we should do all we can to build up the temple within us through virtuous lives.

Do we act like living temples to God? In what ways are we bringing God’s love, mercy, and grace to others? How can we bear more good fruits in our lives?

O Lord, build us into temples to your Goodness.

Amen.

Thirty-First Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

We owe everyone we meet unconditional and selfless love. Whether they are family, friends, neighbors, strangers, or even enemies… we must always love others as we love ourselves. Everything in our faith revolves around the virtue of love. This is why it is important for us to not only say we believe in God, but actually put that belief into action. Faith and works. It is by loving others as ourselves that we can fulfill the commandments most faithfully in spirit and truth.

Are we giving others our love without reservation? Are we allowing the Spirit of Love to inspire and guide us in our thoughts, words, and works? Have we made love the foundation upon which we build our public and private lives?

O Lord, help us to love others as ourselves.

Amen.

Thirty-First Tuesday of Ordinary Time

We, though many, are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

We all have roles to play in life. We each have gifts and talents that we’ve been given by God in order to accomplish His Divine Will on earth. We reflect different aspects of the Body of Christ through our thoughts, words, and works. We make manifest God through our actions, great and small. Whether it is proclaiming the Good News, ministering to the needs of others, teaching, or acting with charity and mercy towards others… we all are called to be God-bearers and do our best to make Him known, loved, and served.

Are we acting in accordance with our belief that we are all part of the one body in Christ? Are we putting our gifts and talents to good and holy use? What can we do to manifest God into every situation, great or small?

O Lord, make us into good and fruitful members of your one, Body.

Amen.

Thirty-First Monday of Ordinary Time

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To God be glory forever. Amen.

We might not always understand why things happen the way they do, but they happen for a reason. God is wise and knows exactly what each of us need to grown in our faith. He allows us the trials and gives us the graces that provide us the best possibility of spiritual success. We might wonder why we have to suffer or overcome obstacles on the way to heaven, but without these things we would not be forged into good and faithful servants. If things came too easy, we would take them for granted and forget how much we need God each and every day. It is from, through, and for Him that all things were made, even us, and we would do well to remember that it is only by giving glory to God through our thoughts, words, and works that we will be glorified in heaven.

Are there things going on in our lives that we don’t understand? How can we place our trust in God even in the midst of own trials and sufferings? How can we renew our faith so we are living holy lives from, through, and for God?

O Lord, glory be to you forever.

Amen.

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

In a world where we are constantly told we need to stand out, show off, and take what we want, it can be difficult to remain humble. However, we don’t need to exult ourselves to make our mark on this world. We can make a difference by simply being Christians and knowing, loving, and serving God and His children to the best of our ability. We might not get rich, gain fame, or even be recognized for our spiritual successes, but when we pass on from this world God will be there with the treasures of the afterlife and the laurels of sainthood. It will be Him who exults us by telling us that we have been good and faithful servants and worthy co-heirs to the Heavenly Kingdom.

What can we do to remain humble in spirit? Are we willing to forgo worldly successes in order to obtain heavenly ones? How can we become good and faithful servant leaders?

O Lord, give us humble hearts.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

In respect to the Gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarch. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

No matter our failures, our stubbornness in sin, and our indifference to good, God is always there waiting for us to return to Him. He gives us gifts of goods and graces in hopes that one day we will hear His call and answer Him. He will not take back the gifts He has given us nor the crosses He is asking us to take up in His name. It may take some of us longer than others to turn to faith and place our hope in God, but He is with us always, patient and loving. We are His beloved children, formed in the image of Christ, and He will not give up on us. We should consider this truth the next time we are tempted to sin or find ourselves in difficulties beyond our feeble strength. For although we might be sinners, God’s Divine Mercy endures forever.

What gifts has God given us? What is He calling us to do with them? How can we amend our lives in order to put our time, talents, and treasures to the use God intended?

O Lord, thank you for the gifts and callings you’ve given us.

Amen.

Thirtieth Friday of Ordinary Time

I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are children of Israel; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

We should always be concerned for others. Because of this we should always speak the truth in Christ. Our consciences should ever be joined with the Holy Spirit so we can be better bearers of witness to the world. We should be more than willing to sacrifice ourselves in the pursuit of saving souls just as Jesus Christ did in his most holy life. In the end, we might not be able to convince others to believe, but we can at least show them what it means to truly believe by being good, faithful, hopeful, and loving people.

Do we show concern for others or are we self-absorbed? How can we become better witnesses to the Good News and God’s Divine Love and Mercy towards all? In what ways can we sacrifice ourselves for the good of others?

O Lord, help us to lead others to you.

Amen.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever.

We are proved each and every day of our lives. Either we remain pure and virtuous or we become impure and sinful. Our choices determine whether we are worthy of becoming an offering to God or if we need more refinement in the fires our daily trials. If we do good and avoid evil, we shine for all the world to see and set the world on fire with love and mercy. If we do evil and avoid good, then we become blind and may even lead others into the darkness of sin. God judges us on how we think, speak, and act, holding us accountable for what we do, but also willing to forgive and forget if we are willing to admit our faults and do penance. 

Do we prove our faith, hope, and love each and every day? What can we do to remain pure and virtuous? How can we be a light for the whole world, leading others to God?

O Lord, prove us in the fires of your love and mercy.

Amen.

Solemnity of All Saints

After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb."

We are all called to be saints. Growing up, many of us may have seen the saints as otherworldly people. We might have said to ourselves, those people were special. We might even have believed we could never be like them. However, that’s not the right way to think of sainthood. Everyone who ends up in heaven is a part of the community of saints. Some people may get there faster than others or be recognized as being in heaven by the Church, but that doesn’t lessen the fact that all Christians have a vocation to sainthood. And even more important to remember is the fact that all of the saints were normal people, who by choice lived good and faithful lives. Some of them were missionaries, others cloistered. Some were ordained, others were lay faithful. Some were single, others married. Some were mothers and fathers, others had no children except those they chose to help. The important thing to remember is that each of us have been given the gifts and talents we need to become saints, but it is up to us to choose the path of holiness. And hopefully we do.

How can we live out our calling to be saints? What gifts and talents has God given us? How can we put them to use for God and for the good of others?

O Lord, from you comes salvation and holiness.

Amen.

Thirtieth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.”

Whatever we might suffer in this life is as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us in the afterlife. We might suffer greatly in this life from physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual trials and tribulations, but if we believe in the promises God has made us through Jesus Christ, then none of them are more than an a minor annoyance. This is because all our earthly fears, doubts, worries, anxieties, obstacles, difficulties, etc. that we suffer in this life are impermanent and passing away. They are as fleeting as lightning. They come and go, but the glory and love of God is forever. Sometimes this promise of future good is hard to keep in mind, especially when we are in the midst of a crisis, but it is something we need to hold onto... like a candle in the darkness, lighting your way forward one step at a time.

Are we willing to accept the sufferings that come along with doing God’s Will? How can we put our trials into perspective with what God has done for us? What can we do to help God release us from our slavery to sin so that we can be truly free?

O Lord, our sufferings are as nothing when we consider the good you have done us.

Amen.

Thirtieth Monday of Ordinary Time

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

As Christians, our relationship with God is more than just Creator and created, but Father and child. As long as we accept our dependence upon God and join our sufferings with Christ, then we are co-heirs to His Kingdom. By living Christ-like lives, we cast off the spirit of slavery to sin and receive the spirit of adoption by our Heavenly Father, who knows, loves, and protects us as His Own Beloved Son. However, being co-heirs with Christ doesn’t mean we won’t be faced with trials and sufferings. Instead, it means embracing our troubles out of love for God and a desire to do everything we can to make our Father proud of us. It means being willing to sacrifice ourselves to do God’s Will so that we might be glorified through glorifying Him.

Do we take seriously our relationship with our Heavenly Father? What do we do to prove our faith in, hope in, and love of God? How can we live out our calling to be co-heirs to the Kingdom?

O Lord, you are our Father and our hope.

Amen.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Love stands at the center of all the commandments from the Old to the New Testament. This single virtue gives life to our faith and expression to our hope. It also reminds us of how interdependent we all are on God and each other. Love finds its fulfillment in others. Sure we can and should love ourselves (after all God loves us!), but we can’t experience the fullness of what it means to love without feeling affection for someone else. Our love of God comes from our hearts, souls, and minds and because God is infinite we must love Him with everything we are. Our love of neighbors, on the other hand, mirrors our love of self and comes second to our love of God and flows out from this love. The greatest thing about this virtue is the more we give love to God and others, the more we receive for ourselves.

Do we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds? Do we love others as we love ourselves? How can we grow in love and live out these commandments more perfectly?

O Lord, help us to love you and others with everything we are and ever will be.

Amen.

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Just as the Heavens are constantly declaring the glory of God, so we on earth should be doing the same. We can do this in many different ways… through prayers, acts of charity and mercy, and mortification and sacrifice. We can proclaim God’s handiwork through our own good works. There is much we can do to glorify God in our daily lives. We just have to be open imitating the angels and saints in heaven and making God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace known to all whom we meet each day.

How can we better declare the glory of God to others? What can we do to make God’s Glory manifest in the world? Are we doing what we can to spread the Good News to all the earth?

O Lord, make use good and faithful messengers of your glory.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Friday of Ordinary Time

The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

How true these words are for many of us! We know what is right. We believe it. We want to do good and avoid evil. And yet, we fall into sin time and time again. We have our faults and imperfections and temptations that lead us astray. We run away from the good because it challenges us to change ourselves and run toward the evil that is easy. How often do we intend to do some good and then talk ourselves out of it? We make excuses for ourselves and come up with all manner of escape clauses for what we know is good. Yes, we know right from wrong, but between knowing and doing is a vast chasm that can only be crossed by faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior, and total dependence upon God. And it is up to us to translate our interior desires for holiness and righteousness into exterior acts of charity and mercy and holiness.

How can we conform ourselves to what we know is right and good? What can we do to resist the temptations to sin? How can we put the law of our minds and hearts in charge of our thoughts, words, and works?

O Lord, free us from the law of sin so we can do the good we want and avoid the evil we do not want.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sin can be alluring in many ways, but it leaves a bad aftertaste. It leaves us weakened, empty, and ashamed. It disfigures us, marring our bodies, minds, and hearts. It hobbles and binds us, restricting our ability to do good and avoid evil. It turns us into slaves of our lesser passions and selfish instincts. Ultimately, sin leads to death. However, God offers us the gift of sanctification, which strengths, fulfills, and encourages us. It restores the image of God that is within each of us and marks us as co-heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. The saving graces He provides us through the sacraments, free us from our slavery to sin and offer us the chance to turn our lives over to God. We are given the choice to take up the yoke of our faith and carry it without complaint. And if we do this with hope and love, then we shall be given the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer.

What sins do we find ourselves drawn to the most? How can we learn to resist the temptations to those sins and become obedient servants to God? Are we willing to accept the cross that leads to eternal life?

O Lord, we are your slaves. Do with us as you will.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.

Every day we are tempted to obey our desires over what we know is right. Some days we have the willpower to resist. Other days we fall into temptation and sin. Thankfully, although we fall, we are also given a way to rise up again. Through the life, death, passion, and resurrection of Jesus, we were all given a chance at eternal life and use our bodies as weapons for righteousness. We have only to choose to obey God’s Will above our own and allow Him to lead us where we need to be. We might not follow in Jesus’ footsteps perfectly, but as long as we are contrite for our sins and genuinely wish to amend our lives, then God will find us and lead us back to the right path.

What desires do we obey before God? How can we put God before these wants? What can we do to sharpen our consciences and transform ourselves into weapons of righteousness?

O Lord, we present our bodies to you. Do with them what you will.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

If by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.

One person can make a huge difference in this world. We can lead others to destruction or salvation. We all have the ability to influence others for good or evil. It is up to us to make the choices that lead to grace and goodness. We do this best when we imitate Christ in our thoughts, words, and works. Our lives should overflow with righteousness and good works. We should make God present in the world by being God-bearers in all we do.

Do we appreciate how much God has done for us through His Beloved Son, Jesus? How can we imitate Christ in our daily lives? What can we do to make a difference in the world for the better?

O Lord, help us to lead others to your Way, Truth, and Life.

Amen.