Second Wednesday of Lent

Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

Not all of our good deeds will be repaid with good. Sometimes those we help will be indifferent to what we have done for them or take it for granted. Other times, the people we help will complain about what we’ve done or how we’ve helped them. Still others will repay our kindnesses with evil and persecution. However, we shouldn’t let the apathetic or negative responses keep us from doing what is right. It is easy to treat others well when they do the same to us... much harder when they dismiss or despise our help. But just as Jesus loved and forgave even those who persecuted and mocked him on the cross, so too are we called to love and forgive those who repay our good deeds with evil.

Are we able to put aside the responses others have to our good works and simply do what is good because it is right and just? Are we willing to turn the other cheek to and do good for those who are our adversaries? Do we pray for those who repay us with evil?

O Lord, turn away your wrath from those who transgress against us.

Amen.

Second Tuesday of Lent

Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

We all need to learn to wash clean our hearts, to put away our misdeeds, and learn to do good. We can’t do that if we are unrepentant or allow ourselves to be distracted by the world around us and all the pleasures it offers us. If we want to set things right with the Lord, then we have to know, love, and serve God and His children with all that we are. We have to put justice, penance, and charity ahead of our own desires and passions. We have to seek out God’s forgiveness with contrite hearts and strive to obey Him in all things. Only then can our sins be washed away and our souls be prepared for the heavenly feast.

How can we lead spiritually clean lives? What misdeeds and sins do we need to put away? How can we put right our wrongs?

O Lord, wash us clean.

Amen.

Second Monday of Lent

Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments! We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.

All of us rebel against and depart from God’s commandments from time to time. We allow temptations to lead us astray and into sins both venial and grave. We make excuses for our actions and try to convince ourselves we are not to blame. However, no one forces us to sin. It is our choice and when we make the wrong choice we must make amends with God and those whom we’ve sinned against. We do this through seeking out the sacrament of Reconciliation, making a good confession, and doing penance. If we do all these things, then God in His Divine Mercy will forgive us and we shall have another chance to live holy lives conformed to the commandments and laws of our Heavenly Father.

What sins do we have the most trouble resisting? Do we ask God for His help against these weaknesses? How can we reflect God’s Mercy in our own lives when others sin against us?

O Lord, be merciful to us who have sinned against you and seek your forgiveness.

Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us, who will condemn? Christ Jesus it is who died-or, rather, was raised-who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

With God as our guardian, we have nothing to fear. No person, no trial, no obstacle can overcome us with God at our side. God will do everything in His power to save us from the fires of Hell and lead us to eternal life with Him. If we know, love, and serve God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths, then He shall remain with us throughout our lives. And when we do fall into temptation and sin, if we return to Him with contrite hearts and willing to do penance, then He shall acquit us and free us from our sins. Moreover, Jesus’ compassionate voice will speak on our behalf before the throne of God if we follow his teachings.

Do we realize God is always with us? How can we bring Him to the forefront of our minds at all times, especially when faced with temptations and trials? In what ways can we imitate God’s protection and compassion when dealing with others?

O Lord, with you at our side, we have nothing to fear.

Amen.

First Saturday of Lent

Today you are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice. And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised.

Every Christian has entered into an agreement with God through our baptism. We have promised to worship Him and Him alone, to walk in His ways, obey his commandments, and listen to His inspirations. In return, God promises to hold a special place for us as His people. He will guide us through life, raise us from the dead, and grant us eternal life with Him in Heaven. All we have to do is live out our baptismal promises, doing His Will in all things by our own choice.

Are we living up to our agreement with God? Have we been harkening to His voice and following His commandments? Do we realize how blessed we are to be His people?

O Lord, help us to live up to our calling to be a sacred people dedicated to you.

Amen.

First Friday of Lent

If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.  None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.  Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD.  Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?

Our lives are full of choices, both good and bad. Sometimes we choose sin over virtue. Sometimes we allow opportunities for good to pass us by without seizing them. Sometimes we do the wrong thing for selfish reasons. However, God is willing to forgive us if we are willing to turn away from our sins and make amends. If we seek Him out through the sacrament of confession, He will be more than willing to forget our past offenses and wash away our iniquities. But we must stay on the narrow path to heaven if we wish to have eternal life because just as he will forget our sins when we seek forgiveness, so too, He will forget our virtues if we fall into mortal sin. This is why it is so important to be ever on our guard against all temptation and choose good over evil.

What temptations and sins do we need to turn away from? How can we guard against them? Do we make regular use of the sacrament of confession?

O Lord, help us to turn away from our sins.

Amen.

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

We all are shepherds in some way. We might have children of our own to lead and guide through their lives. We might have jobs that require us to tend to others through service. There might be some other duty we are bound to which gives us responsibilities and duties towards others. No matter what position of power we are in, we should make sure to do not lord it over others, but rather lead by good and loving example. In this way, we can imitate Jesus, who was a good and faithful servant of all in spite of being the most powerful man to ever walk the earth.

How can we be better shepherds? Who are the people who are in our care? What can we do to guide them to better, holier, and love-filled lives?

O Lord, inspire your shepherds to lead your flock closer to you in all things.

Amen.

First Wednesday of Lent

Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day's walk announcing, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed," when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

Although we might not meet a Jonah in our lives, that doesn’t mean we aren’t all being warned by God to change our ways. We might have certain sins and imperfections we fall into again and again. These spiritual weaknesses need to be addressed with the same contrition, hope, and determination as the people of Nineveh. We might not put on sackcloth, sit in ashes, or fast on nothing, but we do need to turn away from our evil ways and make amends with God. If we do make things right with Him, then we shall be saved from destruction and death. God will take pity on us and give us another chance to prove we love Him more than our sins and failings.

What do we need to repent for and fast from? How can we amend our lives? What actions can we take to put God first and foremost in our lives?

O Lord, we repent for all our sins and imperfections.

Amen.

First Tuesday of Lent

Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

The Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us, not just to hear himself speak, but to have us listen and change our hearts. When we hear the scriptures read at mass or read them ourselves, our hearts, minds, and souls should be open to what God is telling us through the Good News. He pours out love, mercy, and grace through the words of Scripture, especially through those of Jesus and if we allow Him... he will fill us up with good things. The Word of God will make us fertile ground and help us to bear good fruits. He will give us the sustenance we need to thrive in spirit and truth. And if we allow the Word of God to take root in our hearts, then we shall achieve all the things He has planned for us.

Are we listening for God’s Word in our lives? How can we take more time to listen to the Good News and the teachings of Christ? In what ways can we bring the Word of God into the lives of others?

O Lord, grant us the grace to achieve the end for which you sent us.

Amen.

First Monday of Lent

You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Loving our neighbor as ourselves is one of the keys to being good and faithful servants of God and followers of Christ. This calling means not only loving our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers when they are easy to love, but also when they are difficult to love. It means not condemning others for their faults, but also not condoning their actions when they are evil. It means casting aside all hatred and instead showing compassion… even to those who show none for us. It means turning the other cheek and holding no grudges. It means loving without hesitation or reservation… with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths for the simple reason that each of our neighbors was created in the image and likeness of God.

Who are the people in our lives we have the most difficulty loving as ourselves? How can we grow in love for these people and others? How can we put aside our own selfish responses to those who mistreat us and simply love them in spite of our feelings?

O Lord, help us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Amen.

First Sunday of Lent

This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

The Noah’s ark prefigured the sacrament of baptism, which saves all Christians, who accept its cleansing and live out its spirit with a clean conscience. Jesus offered all of us this blessing and grace through his life and death. He died for us so that we might live. He took our sins upon his sinless self in order to give us hope in a new life. He accepted the abuses of his passion and death so we might be freed from the chains of sin. He has built for us a bridge to heaven through his cross. He has gone to heaven before us to prepare a place for us... if we are willing to allow him to do so and live our lives in accordance with God’s Will.

How often do we thank God for the saving grace of our baptism? How can we live out our baptismal promises more faithfully? In what ways can our lives embody the sacrament of baptism and its graces?

O Lord, grant us the grace of a clear conscience and a baptismal life.

Amen.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

If you hold back your foot on the sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; If you call the sabbath a delight, and the LORD's holy day honorable; If you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice. Then you shall delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Making holy the sabbath day can be difficult for us, especially in a world that tries to demand our attention every moment of our waking lives. We are constantly tempted to watch TV, play games, and do everything but make time for God. And yet, the sabbath day is meant to be a day of rest, a day to spend with God in prayer, reflection, and meditation. We cannot do any of those if we are constantly distracted by other things. We need to show God He comes first every week and the only way to do that is to hold back from our own pursuits on Sundays and to delight in the time we spend with God not only at Mass but in prayer as well. If we honor God by keeping holy His day, then He shall give us every opportunity to flourish during the rest of the week in what is best for us. He will nourish us with grace and consolations and lead us to peaceful and fruitful lives.

Are we keeping holy the sabbath? How can we make more time for prayer to, meditation on, and contemplation of God? What are worldly things we can cut out of our Sunday routines?

O Lord, help us to pursue you always and especially on the sabbath.

Amen.

Friday after Ash Wednesday

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

Our lives as Christians should be filled with acts of charity and mercy. Our fasting shouldn’t only be giving up something, but also giving something in alms to those in need. We might have limited time, money, and resources, but there is always something, even something small, that we can do for the good of others and the glory of God. We just have to keep our eyes and ears open for those opportunities where we can bring relief to those who are in need. Whether it is releasing people from unjust bonds, setting free the oppressed, sharing our bounty with those in need, or simply helping someone with a simple chore, we become a light to those whom we help and perhaps the fire within us will spark hope in the hearts of others and lead them to light the world on fire with us.

What can we do to help those in need? How can we bring hope into the lives of others? In what ways can we become a light for all the world?

O Lord, here I am!

Amen.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.

The choice before us is clear: life with God or death with sin. We can either give our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths to God or to the world. There is no middle ground... no sitting on the fence. If we are lukewarm in our faith, give into our temptations, or allow ourselves to be lead astray, then we have chosen the world and will have to face the consequences. If, however, we obey the commandments of the Lord and follow the teachings of His Good News, we will be blessed by Him. We shall go forth, grow in the faith, and live in peace and prosperity. Perhaps not as the world sees success, but rather a spiritual success that leads us to know, love, a serve God and others more perfectly and fruitfully.

Are we choosing life or death? How can we live more faithfully the Good News? How can we love God, walk in His ways, and keep His commandments, statutes, and decrees?

O Lord, we choose life and prosperity with you.

Amen.

Ash Wednesday

We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

As Christians, we are all on a mission to proclaim the Gospels. We are ambassadors of God’s Good Will and called to represent Him for all those we meet each day. Our every thought, word, and work either reflects God’s glory or mars it. We can hardly be good envoys of the Good News if we are not living it out to the best of our abilities. This is why it is so important to be reconciled with God and seek to amend our lives. It is only by doing so that we can embody the loving and merciful righteousness of our Lord and King.

How are we proclaiming the Gospel? What can we do to make ourselves into more perfect ambassadors of God’s Goodness to all? How can we become a representative of God’s Righteousness?

O Lord, reconcile us with you and help us to become good and faithful ambassadors of your Good News.

Amen.

Sixth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.

When temptations come, it can be difficult to resist them, especially ones we are addicted to. However, God does not send us temptations. They are of our own making. Our own misguided desires lead us into temptation and if we are not strong enough to resist... we fall into sin, and may even cut ourselves off from God through mortal sin. Thankfully, God gives us the love, mercy, and grace we need to persevere against our temptation. All we need to do is remember to call on Him in our trials and use our moments of temptation as jumping off points for prayer. If we succeed in resisting our temptations, then we shall grow in our faith and be crowned with lives of holiness.

What are the temptations we are facing? How can we persevere against these temptations? Do we pray to God for the strength we need to resist our own weaknesses?

O Lord, help us to persevere against all temptations.

Amen.

Sixth Monday of Ordinary Time

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it.

It’s hard to be joyful while we are suffering, but that is exactly what each of us are called to do as Christians. We are all called to cultivate a spirit of perseverance that will suffer every trial with calm, humility, and love. If we are able to accept the trials and tribulations that come from choosing right over wrong, then we can perfect our suffering and make it into a holy sacrifice to God for all. In addition to being joyful in all things, we are also called to live wisely and well, doing all things for God and His children. It’s not always easy to know what to do in our lives, but as long as we pray to God for His guidance He will give us every opportunity to choose the right path.

Do we suffer joyfully or let our sufferings anger us or wear us down? How can we cultivate the virtue of perseverance in the face of suffering? Do we seek God’s wisdom whenever we are faced with a decision in our lives?

O Lord, grant us a spirit of joy and the virtues of perseverance and wisdom.

Amen.

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

The imitation of Christ is the core of what it means to be a Christian. We are all called to do everything for the glory of God and for the good of all souls. We have a vocation to love God and our neighbors. We are asked to give no one any offense and to seek to please everyone in every way as long as it is right and good. We are called to seek the benefit of the many over our own benefit. We are tasked with leading others to salvation by being reflections of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace. As imitators of Christ, we are meant to be exemplars of holiness to everyone whom we meet no matter who they might be. This isn’t always easy, but we do not live up to the name of Christians if we do not try to be a blessing to all.

How can we be better imitators of Christ? What can we do to live more holy, graceful, and loving lives? Do we seek the benefit of others even when it means sacrificing our own interests?

O Lord, help us to be a more perfect imitators of you in all things.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

After taking counsel, the king made two calves of gold and said to the people: "You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough. Here is your God, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt." And he put one in Bethel, the other in Dan. This led to sin, because the people frequented those calves in Bethel and in Dan.

The temptations and distractions in our lives can become idols that take the place of God in our hearts. This is why we must be vigilant against sin and be willing to walk away from those things that divert our attention from knowing, loving, and serving God and His children. This isn’t to say that leisure activities should be completely cut out of our lives, but that they should always come in second place and be done in moderation. If we ever have to choose between what is right and what is wrong, then we should always do what is right. But in the same vein, we should always choose what is right over what is enjoyable and fun. Sometimes being a follower of Christ requires us to give up something we like for the greater good of being charitable and merciful. If we discover that we have a difficult time giving up a certain activity, even a good one, in order to do what is right, then we must find a way to reign in that activity and exercise our self-control.

What temptations and distractions are leading us away from our responsibilities to God and others? How can we align our lives more perfectly with knowing, loving, and serving our Heavenly Father and all His children? In what ways can we prepare ourselves to always choose what is good and right over those things we find enjoyable and fun?

O Lord, cast out from our hearts all those sins and worldly things that keep us from being completely yours.

Amen.

Fifth Friday of Ordinary Time

Take ten pieces for yourself; the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon's grasp and will give you ten of the tribes. One tribe shall remain to him for the sake of David my servant, and of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

God always keeps his promises. Even when those whom he has made the promises turn away from Him. He knows we are not perfect, but He gives us every chance to live the lives He wants for us. He gives us the gifts, talents, and graces to do His Will in all things and at all times. If we fail to do as He asks, then He eventually will give our task to someone else, but He always leaves a part of His promise there for us to take and do good things with. Hopefully, we will not have to lose most everything like Solomon before we return to God, but if we do, then we should remember God remains with us even in the midst of our greatest failures. For our sake, He leaves us a chance to do better, to make amends for our sins, and keep at least a part of what He had planned for us.

What is God calling us to do? What is holding us back or distracting us from that vocation? How can we avoid the temptations that lead us astray and instead choose to follow God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths?

O Lord, remain with us and lead us out of our sins to a better life.

Amen.

Fifth Thursday of Ordinary Time

The LORD, therefore, became angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (for though the LORD had forbidden him this very act of following strange gods, Solomon had not obeyed him).

The Scriptures are full of examples of good people being lured into sin by others. Eve was lured into sin by the serpent, Adam by Eve, David by his lust for another’s wife, Solomon by his wives, and Judas by the Devil. All of them may have started with good intentions and doing good deeds, but eventually all of them fell into sin. In the same way, we all fall, too. We let the world lure us into wickedness or allow our selfishness to lead us into sin. No one is immune to temptation, but we all must do our best to resist it. A good life can be ruined by our inability to convert our hearts away from earthly things and to heavenly ones. The strange gods in our lives can be pride, envy, anger, greed, gluttony, lust, and wrath.

What sins are we constantly lured toward and into? How can we keep God in our hearts? What can we do to avoid all the worldly things that try to usurp God in our lives?

O Lord, give us the strength to never turn away from you again.

Amen.

Fifth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

"The report I heard in my country about your deeds and your wisdom is true," she told the king. "Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes, I have discovered that they were not telling me the half. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard. Blessed are your men, blessed these servants of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom. Blessed be the LORD, your God, whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel. In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice."

Wisdom and deeds can go a long way toward showing others what it means to be Christian. Just as Solomon showed the Queen of Sheba the goodness of the Lord, so we can be reflections of God’s Goodness to others. We do this best when we listen to our consciences, order our lives prudently, do good and avoid evil. When others see our spiritual prosperity, they will be attracted to our faith, hope, and charity. As the song says, they will know we are Christians by our love, which mirrors the love God has given us. By living wise and good lives, we become lights to the world and salt to the earth. We show our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers there is another way to live... a holy way that leads to heaven and eternal life with our Lord and God.

Do we listen to our consciences and do with is right? How do our thoughts, words, and works reflect the goodness of God? How can we align our lives more perfectly with God’s Will?

O Lord, bless us with your wisdom and goodness.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart.

Being faithful to God with our whole hearts isn’t easy. The world constantly tempts us to give a piece of our heart to earthly things. It might be a person, a place, a thing, an action, a hobby, or some other pursuit. Not that any of these things are bad in and of themselves, but if they aren’t loved in light of our relationship with God, then they can become a distraction from spiritual things. They can even lead to sin. Thankfully, God understands our difficulties and so he constantly pours out His Love and Mercy upon us, refreshing us and sustaining us so that we can continue on our journey to heaven. There is no father like our Father. No paradise like the Paradise of Heaven. There is nothing on this earth that can compare to the heavenly things that await us if we choose to know, love, and serve God to the best of our abilities... striving to do so with our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Do our hearts dwell on worldly or heavenly things? How can we become more faithful to God and the New Covenant He has created with us? Do we seek God’s help in leading holy lives?

O Lord, there is no God like you, the King of Love, Mercy, and Grace.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the LORD's glory had filled the temple of the LORD. Then Solomon said, "The LORD intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever."

Just as Solomon built a holy place for the Lord to dwell, so are we all called to create a sacred space in our hearts. We need to build our lives around our God so He can dwell within our thoughts, words, and works. We need to consecrate our lives to Him through daily sacrifices, mortifications, and offerings of good works. By doing so, we make room in our lives for God and become princely houses for our Lord. It isn’t always easy to open our hearts to God and clean out all those sins and imperfections that clutter up our inmost thoughts. However, if we want God to abide with us forever, then we must cleanse ourselves and do everything in our power to prepare a place for God to live within us.

What are we doing to prepare our hearts to be a resting place for God? How can we make our hearts into thrones for our Lord? What sacrifices, good works, and penances do we need to make in order to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord, especially in the sacrament of the Eucharist?

O Lord, help us to build hearts where you may abide forever.

Amen.

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

We are all called to preach the gospel through our thoughts, words, and works. Sometimes preaching the gospel comes naturally to us through acts of charity and mercy. Other times we may not want to proclaim the gospel, especially to those whom we dislike. We might not want to do the right thing for the person or persons who always hurt us... and yet, they are exactly the people we are called to preach the gospel to. It may not be easy to put aside our personal feelings, but that is why God gave us the example of Jesus showing compassion even for those who were persecuting him. If we follow his example, like Paul, then we will have a recompense... graces and consolations that will help us. If we still find it difficult, then we must remember we have been entrusted with the stewardship of the Word of God. We have an obligation to do what we don’t want to do because it is what God wants. But hopefully, we shall accept the sacrifice that comes with proclaiming the Good News... otherwise, woe to us!

Are we preaching the gospel with our whole hearts, minds, souls, and strengths? Do we do so even for those whom we find it most difficult to love? How can we become better preachers of the Good News in thought, word, and work?

O Lord, give us the grace to proclaim your gospel faithfully.

Amen.

Fourth Saturday of Ordinary Time

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right? I do as you requested.  I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like."

The gift of understanding isn’t something most of us would ask for if God offered to give us any one thing we prayed for. However, it should be first and foremost on our minds when we are praying for God’s intercession in our lives. We should ask Him for the grace to know right from wrong, to choose prudently, and to be good and faithful servants to God and His children. Many of our decisions each day would bear good fruit if we took the time to ask for understanding and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Our thoughts would be more blessed, our words holier, and our actions more pious and pure. And, like Solomon, we would find our lives spiritually richer because of our understanding of God, others, and even ourselves.

What areas of our lives are in need of understanding? How can we make it a habit to pray for this gift of the Holy Spirit? Are we willing to abide by the understanding God sends to us and not turn away from what we know is right?

O Lord, grant us wise and understanding hearts and minds.

Amen.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered he is able to help those who are being tested.

Jesus understands what we go through each day because he was incarnated and lived here on earth for over three decades. He has been tempted like us, but without sin. He has suffered like us, but without giving up hope in our Heavenly Father. He has been bullied, persecuted, and shunned like us, but without seeking revenge. He knows the trials and tribulations we face and he is willing to walk us through them all if we allow him. He become like us so he could give us a perfect model to follow... a way to faith and mercy and love. He wants to help us through every obstacle from the moment of our conception to the moment of death so we might one day join him forever in the heavenly feast.

Do we seek God’s help in our times of need? Are we as merciful and helpful to others as Jesus is to us? How can we be more open to God’s grace in our lives?

O Lord, help us through the tests of our lives.

Amen.

Fourth Thursday of Ordinary Time

When the time of David's death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: "I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf when he said, 'If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.'"

The words David speaks to Solomon are also the ones God speaks to us every day. He instructs us through the teachings of the Church and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit to keep His commandments and the spirit of the laws. If we do this, we will succeed in the important things of life and we will become worthy heirs to His Heavenly Kingdom. If we fail, we will be faced with many hardships and difficulties, but we will also have a chance to right our wrongs and return to God’s Graces through the sacrament of reconciliation. Hopefully we listen to God and follow Him faithfully so that one day we might join Him in Paradise and eat with Him at the Heavenly Banquet.

Are we courageous enough to be men and women in Christ? In what ways are we keeping the commandments? How can we remain faithful to the Lord with all our hearts and souls?

O Lord, grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith and follow your every commandment.

Amen.