Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD: "It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred."

Sometimes when we sin, we are not the ones who suffer the most. It is our family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers who are harmed most grievously. When we sin, we rarely think about how our actions will affect others. Instead we are so focused on our selfish desires that we ignore the possible ramifications of our decisions. We don’t think about how our faults might hurt others. How our action or inaction might change a person’s life forever... and for the worse. We think only of ourselves and therein is the problem. Before we say or do anything we should take the time to consider others and how our actions might affect them going forward. Will harm come to another person because of what we do or fail to do? If so, then we must make a different choice... one that leads to the greatest good, even if it means our own suffering.

Have our selfish thoughts, words, or words harmed others? How can we make amends for our actions or inaction? Are we willing to choose the path of mortification and suffering so that others might be spared?

O Lord, we have sinned and harmed others in doing so. Help us to be a grace to others and not a stumbling block.

Amen.

Fourth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

But the king asked the Cushite, "Is young Absalom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you with evil intent be as that young man!" The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!"

It isn’t easy loving our enemies. The temptation is to wish them evil, especially if they have done evil to us and caused suffering in our own lives. However, if we want to be followers of Christ and do God’s Will, then we must put aside our feelings of revenge and instead pray for our enemies. When those who have done us wrong suffer or even die, we should be the first in line not to gloat, but to comfort and forgive. Jesus showed us how to give our lives for the good of even those who persecute us and we would do well to remember his example when we are tempted to strike back against those who have done us wrong.

Who are the people in our lives whom we have the most difficulty loving? How can we put aside our grievances and treat them with love and mercy? Are we willing to put aside our feelings and comfort our enemies during their own times of trial and suffering?

O Lord, give us the grace to love even our enemies.

Amen.

Fourth Monday of Ordinary Time

"Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, please, and lop off his head." But the king replied: "What business is it of mine or of yours, sons of Zeruiah, that he curses? Suppose the LORD has told him to curse David; who then will dare to say, 'Why are you doing this?'"

We don’t always know why someone says or does something to us. We might make assumptions and fill-in-the-blanks, but these are based off of guesswork and could be completely wrong. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding that led to the problem, perhaps we said or did something that hurt the other person. Or maybe we are just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Only God knows. Our initial instincts when someone treats us poorly are to want to strike back at them just as David’s servant wanted to do. However, this is not the response we should have if we want to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Instead, like David, we should turn the other cheek and make no assumptions about the other person’s actions. Then, perhaps we can converse with the person mistreating us and find out what the heart of the problem is and address it.

Are there people in our lives who mistreat us? How can we not only tolerate them, but also seek to reconcile with them, too? Are there people whom we have hurt and need to seek forgiveness from?

O Lord, help us to be reconciled with you and all your children.

Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided.

Each of us has their own set of anxieties in life. Some of us have anxieties in regards to our families and friends, others in regard to our jobs and finances, and all of us in the conflict between the heavenly and worldly things in our lives. Some of us are unmarried and have worries about our vocations. Others are married and have worries about spouses, children, and grandchildren. No lifestyle is free of difficulties, fears, and doubts, but if we trust in God, live our lives in accordance with His Will, then we shall have nothing to be afraid of. As long as we know, love, and serve God and His children with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths, then we shall overcome all obstacles and be pleasing to the Lord.

What are the anxieties we are facing in our lives? How can we place these worries at the feet of Christ and allow him to help us carry them? What can we do to ensure our lives are founded on heavenly and not worldly things?

O Lord, make us pleasing to you, always and in every way.

Amen.

Third Saturday of Ordinary Time

David grew very angry with that man and said to him: "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this merits death! He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity." Then Nathan said to David: "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.'

Often, when we sin, we are blinded to what we are doing. We don’t necessarily realize how bad our sins are. It takes an outside influence, a person, an event, or something along those lines to rip away our blinders and show us how bad our lives have become. More times than not, we notice the sins and imperfections in others more readily than we do our own. We point out how unfair another person is or shake our heads at their wickedness, but fail to see our own failings, which can be just as unfair and wrong-headed. This is why it is so important for us to remember we are sinners and as such it is not our place to judge others. In addition, our failures should remind us that we ought to be looking out for the good of others, not to take advantage of them or criticize them unjustly.

What can we do to see more clearly our own sins? In what ways can we treat others more mercifully? How can we train ourselves to avoid sin and do what is right even when we are tempted to use a situation for our own selfish gain?

O Lord, free us from our blindness to our own sins.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you, on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious. For a bishop as God's steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents.

Paul’s description of presbyters is one that we all should take to heart. He describes the qualities that Titus should look for in those whom he appoints as presbyters, but also, he describes the qualities that we all should strive for in our lives. We should be blameless. We should be chaste, in marriage or in single life. We should raise children, our own or others, in the faith to the best of our abilities. We should rid ourselves of all arrogance, irritability, intemperance, aggressiveness, and greed. And instead, we should be welcoming, lovers of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled. We should hold fast to the commandments of our Heavenly Father, to the teachings of Jesus, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. We should proclaim the Good News to all whom we meet each day. We should be true and faithful servants to God so that we can exhort others to better lives and refute those who would lead us astray.

How can we become better servants of God? How can we live out our vocations in alignment with God’s Will? How can we rid ourselves of all the things that keep us from being holy people?

O Lord, grant us your grace so that we might set right what remains to be done.

Amen.

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

"Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name." So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Although we might not be blinded by God or experience locutions or visions, we are all called to a deeper conversion. Sometimes that conversion involves our attitude toward God. Other times it involved our attitude toward others. Both involve the need for us to know, love, and serve more perfectly. For Paul, his conversion required him to turn his life upside-down from where he was. His calling asked him to give up his previous life completely and become a follower of Christ instead of a persecutor of Christ’s followers. He had to be reconciled with God, but also with the community of believers as well. This is why his conversion required not only God’s intervention, but also the intercession of Ananias. Ananias represented the entire Church in this moment and although he hesitated in going to Paul, he ultimately listened to the Lord, went forth, and welcomed Paul into the Body of Christ. Sometimes we are like Paul before the conversion, doing what we believe is right, but then discover that we were wrong and have to repent and realign our lives. Other times we are like Ananias and we know God’s Will, but hesitate at what is being asked of us. In both cases, we need to be more deeply converted and trust that God’s Divine Plan will lead to a greater good for us and all His children.

Are there thoughts, words, or works in our lives that are not in alignment with God’s Will? Are we willing to allow God to more deeply convert our hearts even if it means turning our lives upside-down? What do we need to do in order to reconcile ourselves with God and all His children?

O Lord, convert our hearts so that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.  And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies.

God is always with us and wants to build an everlasting house for us in His Heavenly Kingdom. He will give us all the love, mercy, and grace we need to overcome our enemies and fulfill His Divine Will. If we allow Him to think, speak, and work through us, we will magnify the Lord and become living instruments of His grace. He wants to fix a place for us in heaven and so He offers us all we need to become holy people, living saints, who place their faith, hope, and love in Him. If we place ourselves under His protection, then He will shield us from our foes and give us an inner peace that cannot be touched. Ultimately, when we are true and faithful to God, He will give us rest from all our enemies and a chance to be united forever to Him in Paradise.

Do we give thanks for God’s Presence in our lives? How can we keep ourselves aware of the fact that God is always with us? How can we become living vessels of His Way, Truth, and Life?

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

Amen.

Third Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. He then distributed among all the people, to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel, a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes.

As Christians, our lives are full of sacrifices and blessings. We are all asked to offer our thoughts, words, and works to God for his praise and glory. We are all asked to be blessings to those whom we meet each day. We are all asked to share our time, talents, and treasures with those in need of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace. Together, we partake of one, unifying meal made of the Body and Blood of Christ. Through this feast we are united into one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church. Sacrifice and blessing go hand-in-hand in our faith. Jesus died on the cross to bless us and we should be willing to die to ourselves in order to be a blessing for others.

What offerings do we have to give to the Lord? How can we become a blessing to others? In what ways can we unite with others in our faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, we offer you everything.

Amen.

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

David grew steadily more powerful, for the LORD of hosts was with him.

The Lord of hosts is with us. And if we let Him fully into our lives, then He will make us more powerful, too. Perhaps not in worldly terms of fame, success, and fortune, but in the spiritual terms of faith, hope, and love. Just as David was the king of the Israelites, so are we called to be servant leaders for all whom we meet each day. We may not have a golden crown or temporal powers, but we do have crown of virtues and spiritual blessings. We may not have been anointed to kingship, but we are all anointed to discipleship and the best way to fulfill that calling is to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths and love our neighbors as Jesus loves them. If we do these things, then we shall be models of excellence for all whom we meet, leading them closer to God and the ultimate victory of eternal life with the Holy Trinity.

Are we aware of God’s presence in our lives? Are we welcoming and inviting to Him? How can we become better servant leaders?

O Lord, remain with us and give us your strength to overcome evil and power to do good.

Amen.

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away.

None of us really imagines our time running out, at least not when we are healthy and young. We see all these people in the world who die, but rarely do we think about how that might happen to us at any time. There are no guarantees we will live to see the end of this day or the beginning of the next. We may assume so and make plans, but we never truly know when our time on earth will come to an end. This is what we are reminded of in today’s reading and we would do well to heed its advice. Our time is running out and we should use it to the best of our abilities and for the greatest good. We often find reasons to waste time and that is what we are warned against. We should be spending our energies on heavenly and spiritual pursuits and not on worldly ones. Sure, there are times when we need to rest and relax, but we should keep a close eye on those times to make sure they are rejuvenating us and not draining us of time better spent doing good works.

Is our time spent on worldly or spiritual pursuits? How can we make heavenly things the focus of our lives? What can we do to avoid wasting time?

O Lord, help us to focus our time, talents, and treasures on fulfilling your will and not our own.

Amen.

Third Saturday of Ordinary Time

David seized his garments and rent them, and all the men who were with him did likewise. They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the soldiers of the LORD of the clans of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

Mourning, weeping, and fasting for those who have wronged us isn’t something we all immediately think of, but David does exactly this for Saul... the man who tried to kill him. It’s easy to imagine mourning those who are our family and friends, like Jonathan was to David, but quite a different story for those who have persecuted us. However, just like David, we are all called to have compassion on our enemies as well as our friends. Just because someone does evil to us, doesn’t give us the right to deny their dignity, ignore their sufferings, or take pleasure in their pains. If we do any of these things, then we fall short of living out the commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us.

Are we willing to make sacrifices in order to help those who have harmed us in some way? Can we forgive the past transgressions of others and do what is right even to our enemies? How can we live out the beatitude to mourn with others?

O Lord, help us to treat our enemies as Jesus would treat them.

Amen.

Second Friday of Ordinary Time

Saul then said to David: "You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm. Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me. For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day. And now, I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession."

It isn’t easy treating our enemies generously. It’s difficult to do good to those who have done evil to us. However, we are all asked to respect the dignity of others, no matter how much they might disrespect us. God asks all of us to do no harm to others. It isn’t our place to judge or punish, but rather to love unconditionally just as Jesus did. Only our Heavenly Father can judge the hearts of others and we disrespect Him when we try to take justice into our own hands. Instead of selfish retaliation, we are called to be generous to our enemies and let them go unharmed. Perhaps our example of kindness, will change our enemies’ hearts and make them realize the error of their ways, but even if it doesn’t then we can be secure in knowing that we turned the other cheek just as Jesus did and although the world might slap it... God will heal our temporary pain and replace it with eternal life in and with Him.

Who are the people we find it most difficult to love? Are we treating them generously and lovingly? How can we become more charitable to those who are unkind to us?

O Lord, grant us generous and merciful spirits.

Amen.

Second Thursday of Ordinary Time

"Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: "They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship." And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.

Jealousy is a sin that creeps up on us, convincing us we are being denied what is rightfully ours by someone else’s success. It is an evil that preys upon our insecurities, fears, and anxieties just as the serpent played upon the insecurities and lack of confidence Eve had in God. It tries to convince us wrong is right and we are being robbed of what’s rightfully ours by someone else. It is a green-eyed monster who always sees the grass as being better on the other side of the fence. It wants to feed our anger and resentment of others and persuade us to take what isn’t ours. It wants us to deny the dignity of other people and lead us to sin against them in thought, word, and deed. Now, we are all tempted to jealousy from time to time, it isn’t the thought that counts, but rather whether we act on our envy. If we give into jealousy, then we sin. However, if we uproot the jealous thoughts and replace them with charitable ones, then we shall discover there is no reason to mourn the success of others. Instead, we should be happy for them and be at peace with them.

Are we jealous of someone? If so, then how can we rid ourselves of such thoughts and replace them with thoughts, words, and works of love? What can we do to celebrate the success of others?

O Lord, cast out the serpent of jealousy from our hearts so we might love more perfectly you and all of your children.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will leave your corpse and the corpses of the Philistine army for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God. All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle is the LORD's and he shall deliver you into our hands.

We might be terrified by the trials we must face in life and be tempted to retreat from them. However, if we seek to do good and trust in the Lord, then God will grant us victory. It might not be how we imagined things, but He will bring good out of our actions if we are willing to do His Will without fear or even in spite of it. When we confront our challenges, we should do so not armed with worldly thoughts, words, or works, but with confidence that God’s Grace will provide us all we need to succeed. If we do everything in the name of the Lord of hosts, then God will deliver us from all evil and give us triumph over every obstacle. God wants us to be armed with faith, hope, and love... and if we put on Christ in such a way, then we shall win the battles we need to and have spiritual triumphs over sin and death.

How can we conquer our fear of difficulties? What can we do to become more trusting and confident in the Lord? Are we willing to let God arm us as He wishes and at the time of His choosing?

O Lord, arm us with your grace and armor us with your love.

Amen.

Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time

The LORD said to Samuel: "How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons."

We all suffer setbacks in our lives. We all have plans that just don’t work out. We all know what it is like to have to start over from scratch. When faced with all these things we are often tempted to grieve or give up, but God reminds us that just because things don’t end up how we envisioned them, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t set out again and try to do things right the next time. Failure isn’t something we should fear. No. Not trying is what we should fear. Rarely does anything we do go off without a hitch or a hiccup or an outright disaster. But what matters is trying to do good and avoid evil. God doesn’t want us to grieve our failures, but to learn from them, to fill ourselves up with His grace, and then go back out into the world. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be on our way and not hiding. We might feel sad for ourselves and not want to risk being hurt again, but the only way to do God’s Will is to risk suffering and accept the sword that will pierce our hearts. Spiritual success doesn’t mean we would be called upon to make great sacrifices... in truth it may mean making even greater ones than we ever imagined.

How can we overcome our failures? What can we do to combat the discouraging emotions we suffer after a setback? How can we learn from our mistakes and go back out into the world and try again?

O Lord, fill us with your grace after our failures and send up back into the world.

Amen.

Second Monday of Ordinary Time

"Does the LORD so delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to the command of the LORD? Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission than the fat of rams. For a sin like divination is rebellion, and presumption is the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he, too, has rejected you as ruler."

Sometimes it is difficult to obey God’s commandments. Our will comes into conflict with His Will when we are tempted by something. We come up with all sorts of excuses to sin or turn our backs on an opportunity to do good. Just like Saul, our excuses do not forgive us for our failures. Our good intentions do not forgive us for doing wrong. God delights in obedience to His commandments. He wants obedience from us even more than fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. He wants submission to His Will more than any sacrifice. We should not presume to know what is best for us, but rather trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will lead us to lives of holiness and fidelity.

What are the commandments or good works we find most to do? How can we learn to obey God’s Will even when we have excuses not to obey? Are we willing to submit ourselves to God and let Him lead us where we need to be?

O Lord, give us the grace we need to be obedient to you and accept you as the ruler of our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Amen.

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

Our bodies are not our own. This is something many of us have trouble accepting, especially in a world that encourages us to do whatever we want... whenever we want... however we want. However, if we believe God is with us... If we believe we are members of the One Body of Christ... If we believe we are temples of the Holy Spirit, then we can’t simply think of ourselves when it comes to our bodies. We must consider how our actions effect the dwelling place of the Lord that rests in our hearts. We must realize we should act as if we are living tabernacles of the Body of Christ... because we are. And as such, we must do everything in our power to lead holy lives because our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies are sacred ground meant to glorify God... always and in every way.

Are we willing to accept our bodies are not our own? How can we make our hearts into more perfect temples of the Holy Spirit? In what ways can our bodies glorify God?

O Lord, dwell within us like living temples.

Amen.

First Saturday of Ordinary Time

Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul's head; he also kissed him, saying: "The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage. You are to govern the LORD's people Israel, and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.

We are all anointed in the sacrament of baptism and again when we choose to undertake the act of confirmation. These anointings echo those of the kings of the Old Testament as well as the anointing of Jesus before his passion and death. They signify our renewal and also call us to service. Just as Saul and the Israelite kings were called to be servant leaders of Israel, so we are called to be servant leaders of our families, our communities, and our Church. We might fail in this responsibility like Saul and the other kings, but we are given every opportunity to succeed in the tasks God has prepared for us. He wants us to govern ourselves and become models for others. He wants us to save people from the grasp of sin. He wants us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and lead others to good and faithful lives.

Are we living out our baptismal calling to be living signs of God’s love for all whom we meet? Are we willing to become servant leaders, even if it means sacrifice and suffering on our part? How can we save others from the wickedness and snares of the Devil?

O Lord, make us into servant leaders, who protect others from the evils of the world.

Amen.

First Friday of Ordinary Time

All the elders of Israel came in a body to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, "Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example, appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us." Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them. He prayed to the LORD, however, who said in answer: "Grant the people's every request. It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king."

All of us have rejected God in one way or another. Some of us have rejected Him through sin. Others through being caught up in worldly distractions or laziness. However, no matter the reason, God will always be our King, waiting for us to allow Him to protect us from the wickedness and snares of the Devil and the world. He won’t force us to accept Him because He wants us to give our faith to Him freely and without reservation. He wants us to become His followers by our own choice. So let us remember that when we make sins or worldly things our kings, we will suffer greatly for it, but if we turn to God, then He will grant us what is good and lead us to the Promised Land and eternal life with Him.

In what ways are we rejecting God? How can we overcome our sins and inordinate attractions to worldly things? What can we do to place God firmly at the center of our lives?

O Lord, you are our one and only King. Rule over our hearts forever.

Amen.

First Thursday of Ordinary Time

"Why has the LORD permitted us to be defeated today by the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the LORD from Shiloh that it may go into battle among us and save us from the grasp of our enemies."

While God has promised to always be with us and has offered us a chance to be saved from sin and death, He has not guaranteed us worldly success. When we pray for earthly goods, we should not expect God to provide them to us unless they will lead us to do His Will and bring about a greater good. If we suffer defeat or suffer a setback in our lives in spite of our prayers this doesn’t mean God has abandoned us or does not love us. Rather it is because He wants to always be with us and loves us that He sometimes denies us the things we want in this life. It isn’t because He wants to disappoint us. No. He just wants what is best for us and sometimes we need to be humbled in this life so we don’t grow prideful and over confident in ourselves. God is not with us to solve all our problems with a wave of His hand. Nor is He here to simply give us what we want when we want it. He loves us too much to spoil us. Sometimes that might be hard for us to accept, especially when we think we deserve something. However, we need to remember the only thing we truly need is God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Do we treat God as if He is our personal genie or Santa Claus, rather than our Heavenly Father? How can we learn to accept that not all of our prayers will be answered and sometimes what we are praying for is the worst thing for us? Are we willing to let God provide us with what He wills and not what we will?

O Lord, let us always respect your will above our own.

Amen.

First Wednesday of Ordinary Time

So Eli said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

We are all being summoned by God in one way or another. Like Samuel, we might think someone or something else is calling us and go off in the wrong direction, but eventually God will give us the clarity we need to make a choice to either listen to Him or turn a deaf ear. One thing we need however is time away from the world. For Samuel this time was when he was asleep. For us it may be taking a few minutes out of each day to invite God into our lives and simply listen in our hearts. No matter the time or place we choose, it is important for us to set aside this time in a quiet and reflective place away from worldly distractions. After all, we cannot listen to God’s inspirations if we are focused on earthly things. So let us take Eli’s advice and when we are at rest in the Lord and feel Him calling us, we should say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Then God will reveal Himself to us and show us what we are being called to think, say, or do through the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of our consciences.

Are we listening for the Lord? How can we place ourselves in the right place and state of mind to listen to God’s inspirations? How can we come to rest more perfectly in the presence of our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, speak, for your servants are listening.

Amen.

First Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Eli said, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." She replied, "Think kindly of your maidservant," and left. She went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and no longer appeared downcast. Early the next morning they worshiped before the LORD, and then returned to their home in Ramah.

In her time of trial, Hannah turned to God and poured out her troubles to the Lord. She didn’t let her sorrow or misery dishearten her to the point where she gave up. Instead, she sought God’s intercession in her life, trusting that He could answer her prayers. Often we are faced with difficult times that try our souls and we would do well to remember Hannah’s response and make it our own. When we are suffering trials, we should turn to God, ask for His intercession, and trust that everything will be made right in the end. We might have to suffer greatly in this life, but we should believe with our whole hearts, souls, and minds that God will never abandon us. He will always answer our prayers for our betterment... though not necessarily in the way we envisioned. If we are confident God will come to our assistance, then we will be able to go in peace, no longer downcast, but secure in the knowledge that God will grant us what is best for us.

Do we turn to God and pour out our troubled to the Lord on a daily basis? Are we confident God will come to our aid if we ask Him? How can we be more trusting of God’s role as our Intercessor and Advocate?

O Lord, grant us what we need to be at peace in you.

Amen.

The Baptism of the Lord

For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

If we love God, then we will do everything within our power to keep His commandments. We will mortify our bodies, discipline our minds, and align our wills with His Will. We will do good and avoid evil, practice virtue and rid ourselves of vice. We will take up our crosses and bear them without complaint. We shall walk in the footsteps of Christ and show compassion even in the midst of our sufferings. We shall make ourselves into living sacrifices to the Lord without feeling burdened. We shall stand firm in our faith and be confident in our God. We shall trust that God will lead us to victory over death and sin and lead us triumphantly and joyfully into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Are we doing everything we can to keep God’s commandments? Are we willing to mortify ourselves in order to be more faithful to God’ Will? How can we let go and let God conquer our hearts?

O Lord, we surrender our hearts to you so that you might rule over us in all things.

Amen.

The Epiphany of the Lord

You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:  that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We are all coheirs to the Kingdom. We are all members of the same body. We are all copartners in Christ. We are all called to work with each other to give glory to God and build up the Church. We are all tasked with becoming stewards of the faith, doing God’s Will in all things. We are all given the opportunity to be good and faithful servants, who give witness to the faith by sharing ourselves with others. We all have a vocation to be priests, prophets, and servant leaders, leading people to the Way, the Truth, and the Life by word and example. There are many who are only exposed to Divine Truth through us and we have a responsibility to proclaim the Good New through our every thought, word, and work.

Are we good and faithful stewards of our faith? How can we become better coheirs of the Kingdom, members of the Church, and copartners with Christ? What can we do to fulfill our callings to build up the body of Christ?

O Lord, we want to be better stewards of your grace.

Amen.

Christmas Weekday

Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.

Jesus Christ needs to be in our thoughts, words, and works. We need to see the world through his eyes. We need to hear with his ears. We need to reach out with his hands. We need to contemplate with his mind. We need to love with his heart. The only way to possess him is to allow him to think, speak, and work through us. We are all called to be channels of his love, mercy, and grace. We are all asked to be fonts of his peace. Our lives should be founded upon Jesus and give testimony to him from the moment we arise in the morning to the moment we drift off to sleep at night. Just as the Word was made flesh through Christ, so we are asked to incarnate the Word through our own actions.

Do our lives give testimony to the Way, Truth, and Life of Jesus? How can our lives become more deeply rooted in the life of Christ? Are we willing to let God possess our lives so we might possess eternal life?

O Lord, give us eternal life in you.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.

Jesus Christ laid his life down for us and our salvation. In the same way, we are called to lay down our lives for others. Just as Jesus loved each of us enough to sacrifice himself upon the cross, so we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others. We might not have to suffer in the same way as Christ, but we are each called to take up our crosses, carry them with perseverance, and show compassion to all those whom we meet along the way. Loving others even in the midst of our trials is exactly what Jesus did for his mother and those women who wept for him. Even weakened, beaten, and condemned... Christ had love and mercy in his heart for those who suffered with him and ever for those who persecuted him. So let us love not only in word and speech, but also most importantly in deed and truth.

Are we willing to lay down our lives for God and His children? How do we respond when we see one of our brothers and sisters in Christ in need? What can we do to live out the Gospel call to love others in word and deed?

O Lord, we are willing to lay down our lives for you and your children.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. In this way, the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother.

As children of God, we are called to be saints, not sinners. We are asked to be righteous and not evil. We are asked to give up the easy and wide path of sin and choose the difficult and narrow one to holiness. We may fall and falter, but if we are children of God we recognize our faults and do something to rectify them. We confess our sins with humble and contrite hearts, do penance, and strive to avoid temptation and sin. If we find ourselves falling into the same sins again and again, then we need to change something about ourselves and the way we live so we can steer clear of our weaknesses and protect ourselves from our flaws. We should always put our best foot forward in resisting temptation and growing in righteousness so we might be worthy heirs to the Kingdom.

Are we righteous? How can we cultivate our sense of good and evil so we can act in accord with our Heavenly Father’s Will in all things? What can we do to avoid sin, especially those sins we are most tempted by?

O Lord, we want to belong to you... body, mind, and heart.

Amen.

Christmas Weekday

If you consider that God is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him. See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

If we want to be followers of Christ and true children of God, then we must act in righteousness. We might fail from time to time and fall into temptation and sin or do evil and let opportunities to do good slip by us, but when this happens we need to reconcile with God and make amends. As heirs to the Heavenly Kingdom, we are called to place our trust in God, hope in His Divine Providence, and keep ourselves pure for Him. Just as He knows, loves, and serves us, so must we know, love, and serve Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all God’s beloved children and we should act accordingly as holy and humble people, pouring out our Father’s Love, Mercy, and Grace to all whom we meet.

Do we act in righteousness toward God and our brothers and sisters in Christ? How can we become more loving, hopeful, and faithful children to our Heavenly Father? What can we do to make ourselves more and more like Him?

O Lord, make us like you... righteous, loving, and pure.

Amen.

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

As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

Through Baptism and Confirmation, we have been anointed as followers of the Holy Trinity... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because of these sacraments, we have been given the graces we need to do good and avoid evil. Our consciences have been formed by the teachings of the Gospel and the Church and trained by our good works and prudent choices. God has given us the tools we need to remain with Him by choosing right over wrong and growing in faith, hope, and love. And so, we should have confidence in God, knowing that He will remain with us if we let Him and that if we are faithful to Him we will not be put to shame.

Are we living out our baptismal and confirmation promises? What can we do to remain in God at all times? How can we more perfectly place our confidence in God?

O Lord, help us to remain with you forever.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

We are the adopted sons and daughters of God and we would do well to remember that. God so loved us He sent His Beloved Son to die for us all so we might be united to our Heavenly Father through the Body and Blood of Christ. He also sent the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate and Guide so we would know He loves us as His children. God does so many things for us. He gives us His Love, Mercy, and Grace to fill us with charity, to wash us of our sins, and to strengthen us for the way ahead. We should take comfort in the knowledge that we are so loved by God that He wants us to call Him, Abba, Father. Not only that, but He has also prepared a place for us in His Heavenly Kingdom and as long as we are willing to cast off the shackles of sins, we shall be given the grace to be co-heirs with Christ.

Do we act like the sons and daughters of God? How can we become more saintly people so we make our Heavenly Father proud of us? Do we call upon God as our Father when we are in need?

O Lord, Abba, Father, thank you for all you have given us.

Amen.