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.