Saturday, March 31, 2018

Holy Saturday

We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Being a Christian means dying to ourselves in order to live for God. It means uprooting our vices and indifference so we can be wholeheartedly God’s people. It means being willing to sacrifice everything we have in order to love God without distraction. It means casting off our slavery to sin, seeking absolution for the wrongs we have done, and dying with Christ. If we do all these things, then we shall be raised from the death of sin, we shall share in the Resurrection of Christ, and death shall lose its power over us.

In what ways do we need to die to sin and selfishness? What sins do we need to seek absolution for? How can we more faithfully live for God in Christ Jesus?

O Lord, we choose to die to ourselves so we will live for you.

Amen.

Friday, March 30, 2018

Good Friday

In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Jesus understands what it means to be tempted and to suffer and through these experiences he learned to resist evil and be obedient. His model is one we are all called to follow. Just like Jesus, we are asked to offer prayers and supplications to the one who can save us from death. We are asked to be reverent in our relationship with God and be willing to make our lives into sacrifices to God and for others. We might not be perfect like Jesus, but we are called to be the best versions of ourselves. This means being willing to better ourselves in body, mind, and spirit so we can carry out God’s Will more perfectly. It means knowing, love, and serving God and others as Jesus did in his life. It means embodying God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace by willingly carrying our crosses and entrusting our spirits to God, who know how best to transform us into his beloved sons and daughters.

Do we offer prayers and supplications to God with reverence and trust? How can we learn to be even more obedient to God in our lives? What can we do to become more and more like Jesus Christ?

O Lord, give us the grace of obedience and save us from death.

Amen.

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Holy Thursday

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

“Do this in remembrance of me.” These words are repeated for both the Body and Blood of Christ and are a commandment we keep as dearly as the ten commandments of Moses and the golden commandments to love God and neighbor. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is foreshadowed by the Lord’s Supper. Through the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we fully participate in the Passion and Death of Christ. We make present Jesus’ sacrifice for us through the sacrifice on the altar. We proclaim the death of the Lord each time we partake in the Blessed Sacrament, but we also anticipate the Resurrection and the Second Coming in the same act. Jesus died for our sins and through his death we have been granted the saving grace we need to heal our souls.

Do we keep holy the Sabbath day? In what ways can we prepare ourselves to fully participate in the Lord’s Supper each week? How can we make the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross more meaningful to us so we might receive it more respectfully and worthily?

O Lord, we celebrate your sacrifice on the cross with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Amen.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Wednesday of Holy Week

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

God provides us with everything we need to grow and prosper in faith, hope, and love. If we pray for them, He will give us the right words to speak to others in counsel or comfort. If we pray for it, He will open our ears so we might hear His voice and follow His commandments, teachings, and inspirations. If we pray for it, He will give us the grace and strength to resist temptation, indifference, and distraction and never turn our backs on Him. If we pray for it, He will give us the patience, mildness, and mercy to give our backs to those who beat us and forgive those who mock or persecute us. He is always there for us, standing by our side and ready to offer us all we need to succeed as His good and faithful servants.

Do we give thanks to God for all He has given us? Do we ask for His help in all our trials in this life? How can we be more open to His aid and guidance?

O Lord, grant us the gifts and graces we need to grow in faith, hope, and love.

Amen.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Tuesday of Holy Week

Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Sometimes in life we feel like we aren’t making any progress. We feel like we are treading water or worse sinking. We wonder if we have toiled in vain, for nothing, spending our time, talents, and treasures on things that aren’t bearing fruit. However, God doesn’t judge us on the outcome of our endeavors. He judges us by the intentions and reasons behind our thoughts, words, and works. We might not experience worldly success in any of our endeavors and yet still be successful in the eyes of the Lord because we did the right thing or made God the center of our lives. We are all called to be lights to the nations and if we do God’s Will to the best of our abilities, then we shall succeed in the greatest task before us... being good and faithful servants to our Heavenly Father.

Are all our thoughts, words, and works grounded in our love of God? How can we make Him the source, center, and summit of our whole lives? What can we do to remain faithful and trusting in God even when our dreams, plans, and actions don’t come to fruition as we imagined?

O Lord, our recompense is with you and not in worldly success.

Amen.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Monday of Holy Week

Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Jesus is the perfect servant of the Heavenly Father and gives us a model we can all follow along the way to paradise. He shows us how to be pleasing to God and live Spirit-filled lives. He shows us how to bring justice to the world through our thoughts, words, and works. He shows us how to proclaim the Good News in humble and gentle ways that draw people to God. He shows us how to be a people of the New Covenant and a light to all. He shows us how to be loving and merciful and free others from the chains of sin, indifference, and distraction.

Are we servants of God or ourselves? How can we be more faithful to God and allow Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit? What can we do to bring justice, love, mercy, and grace to those whom are in need of them?

O Lord, we desire to be good and faithful servants.

Amen.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Palm Sunday

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Adam and Eve gave into the temptation of pride and sought to become like gods. This original sin caused their downfall and it is the same temptation we constantly face in our lives. There are many times when the Devil tries to convince us that we know best and can determine what is good and evil on our own. However, this isn’t something we should be grasping for. It is arrogant to think we know what’s best for us. No. God knows what’s best and if we want to belong to Him, then we have to be willing to let go and let God lead us where we need to be. We have to be willing to become slaves to Christ and humble ourselves just as He did. We must choose to be obedient, even to the point of death on a cross. It might not be the same cross Jesus bore, but each of us needs to die to something in our lives so we can do God’s Will more perfectly.

How can we resist the temptation to make ourselves into gods? What can we do to let go and let God lead us? Are we willing to be humble and obedient even if it requires a great deal of sacrifice from us?

O Lord, we want to empty ourselves of selfishness so you might fill us with your love, mercy, and grace.

Amen.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Fifth Saturday of Lent

I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Thus the nations shall know that it is I, the LORD, who make Israel holy, when my sanctuary shall be set up among them forever.

God’s sanctuary is within all of us. He wants to dwell within our hearts and as long as we keep them clean from sin... He is with us. However, if we do fall into sin, then we need to take the time and effort to cleanse ourselves and rededicate our whole being to doing God’s Will. We do this through the sacrament of reconciliation. In a way, each time we are reconciled with God, we re-proclaim our relationship as members of the Body of Christ. When we make a good act of contrition and do penance, then we are freed from our sins and given a new opportunity to make ourselves into worthy dwelling places of the Lord.

What are we doing to keep ourselves clean of the stains of sin and indifference? How can we make our hearts into pristine temples to the Lord? Are we making the best effort we can to seek God’s Forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation?

O Lord, dwell within us and help us keep ourselves clean of sin.

Amen.

Friday, March 23, 2018

Fifth Friday of Lent

"Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him." But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!

God is our mighty champion. He wants to defend us from evil and protect us from sin. He wants to lift us up when we fall, to lend His strength to us when we need it, and lead us to victory over the wickedness of the world. He wants to grant us His grace and forgiveness. He loves us all and He will not let our enemies overpower us if we trust and depend upon Him. However, He will not force His aid and protection upon us. He wants us to choose it freely and willingly by testing us and probing our minds and hearts. If we choose Him as the center of our lives, then He will rescue us from the power of the wicked and champion us through the valley of darkness to the light of paradise.

Do we seek out God’s help in our lives? Do we depend upon Him and trust He will see us through all our difficulties? How can we make Him the center of our lives in thought, word, and work?

O Lord, rescue us from the power of the wicked.

Amen.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Fifth Thursday of Lent

“I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession; and I will be their God.” God also said to Abraham: “On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”

We are all part of a covenant with the Heavenly Father. He is our God and we called to be His good and faithful servants. Some of us might rebel against this through sin and indifference, but it is true nonetheless. God wants to be ours and wants us to be His. Wholly. Completely. He wants us to live out His commandments, follow His teachings, and enact His inspirations. He gives us everything and all He wants in return is our faith, hope, and love. It isn’t always easy to live in accordance with the New Covenant, but it is the only way we will be saved from the fires of Hell and enter fully into eternal life with God in Heaven.

Are we living out our covenantal calling to be good and faithful servants to God and all His children? Do we make clear that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is at the heart of our lives? What can we do to live out the New Covenant more faithfully?

O Lord, help us to keep your covenant, now and forever.

Amen.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Fifth Wednesday of Lent

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up."

Maintaining our faith in the face of opposition or morals in the face of peer pressure can be difficult. The world persecutes those who place their trust in a higher power. Anyone who does not worship at the altar of selfishness and worldliness, is seen as strange and backward. However, our opposition to the ways of the world is exactly what gives us strength. We are signs of contradiction and as long as we place our trust in God, then we shall be saved and overcome all our trials. And even if we suffer greatly, we shall know in our heart of hearts that God is with us and will console us in the afterlife.

What forces in our lives are trying to sway us into giving into the wickedness? How can we better resist these temptations and influences? Are we willing to suffer in order to know, love, and serve God and His children with all we are and ever will be?

O Lord, we trust you will save us from all evil.

Amen.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Fifth Tuesday of Lent

Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents away from us." So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live." Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

The people ask Moses to pray for the Lord to take the serpents away from them, but God doesn’t take away the serpents. Instead, He tells Moses to erect a saraph for the people to look on after they are bitten. This is how it is with temptation and sin. We might want to avoid the temptation to begin with, but sometimes we are bitten and give into our sins. This is when we need God’s Forgiveness and He is more than willing to heal us if we look upon the sacrifice Jesus made for us, make a good confession, do penance, and strive to sin no more. God doesn’t take away our temptations, He gives us the grace to resist them in the first place and a remedy to heal us if we do fall.

How can we better resist the temptations in our lives? When we do fall do we turn to God and seek His Forgiveness? Do we thank God for all the healing grace He has given us through the cross of Christ?

O Lord, we look on you and ask to be healed.

Amen.

Monday, March 19, 2018

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations.

If we want to become the adopted children of God, then we must be righteous. Not in the way that strokes our pride or sees ourselves as holier and better than others because we go to Church or say our prayers, but in the sense of always seeking to do what is right even when it costs us to do so. It is our choice to follow God's Will as Abraham did that leads to the hope of spending eternity with God. Our salvation is a gift, one we cannot earn, and it depends on our faith and our pursuit of holy righteousness.

Are we acting righteously in regard to our relationship with God and all His children? Are we thinking, speaking, and acting like true descendants of Jesus Christ? How can we align our lives so that we are righteous and faithful servants?

O Lord, help us to follow the faith with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Amen.


Sunday, March 18, 2018

Fifth Sunday of Lent

In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

During his life, passion, and death, Jesus offered constant prayers and supplications to His Heavenly Father and learned obedience. In a similar way, all of us are called to make our lives into living prayers to God. Our every thought, word, and work should honor and glorify God. We are asked to learn obedience from our sufferings and become more perfect in our love of God and His children. In addition, we are asked to be a source of grace for others, just as Jesus is the source of eternal salvation. We are called to bring others closer to God through our actions and thereby imitate Jesus in every way possible.

Are our lives ones of constant prayer? Have we learned obedience from our sufferings? How can we become sources of God’s Grace for all whom we meet?

O Lord, make us perfect through prayer, obedience, and patient suffering.

Amen.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Fourth Saturday of Lent

But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge, searcher of mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!

If we are wise, trusting, and loving, then we shall entrust our causes to God. Only He has the strength to lift us up and see us through all things. Only He can grant us the graces and gifts we need to succeed at what is truly important in life. Only He offers to protect us from all evil. Only He provides us with true justice and mercy. Only He knows our minds and hearts. Only He has the right to judge others. All we are called to do is to know, love, and serve Him and all His children, including those whom we don’t like. Only we have the ability to let go and let God, and if we do, then we shall find all our burdens lifted and have nothing to fear.

What causes do we have in our lives? Have we entrusted those causes to God? Are we willing to let Him take those causes and do with them what He wills?

O Lord, we entrust everything to you.

Amen.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Fourth Friday of Lent

“With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, and they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls' reward.

In the end, we are either counted among the innocent or the wicked. We either revile and torture God and others in thought, words, and deeds, or we love and serve Him and His children with all our beings. We either put God to the test and try His patience or trust in Him completely. We either put God to death through lives of sin and indifference or we become living tabernacles where He can dwell forever and ever. We either rely on ourselves or we depend upon God and have faith that He will take care of us. We either a blinded by selfishness or we are aware of our God-given role in this life and embrace it wholeheartedly.

What areas of our lives are leading us to wickedness? How can we turn our backs on these evils and follow the light? What can we do to increase in virtue and innocence?

O Lord, lead us away from wickedness and into holiness.

Amen.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Fourth Thursday of Lent

Let your blazing wrath die down; relent in punishing your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, "I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage." So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

We are all sinners in one way or another. We all deserve God's Wrath for the evils we've done and the good we've failed to do. It is only by the saving grace of God's Divine Mercy that we have the opportunity to be spared condemnation. However, God doesn't just give us salvation without us work towards it. He wants us to be loving and merciful as He is loving and merciful. He wants us to be good and faithful as He is good and faithful. He wants us to be contrite and penitent as He is forgiving and just. He is willing to let His blazing wrath die down, if we are willing to come to Him in the sacrament of reconciliation and make amends for our sins and failings.

What are our sins? Are we genuinely contrite for the wrongs we've done and the goods we've failed to do? Are we making use of the sacrament of reconciliation as often as we should?

O Lord, we come to you with contrite hearts. Relent and grant us your mercy.

Amen.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Fourth Wednesday of Lent

But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.

God will never forget us. Although we might suffer trials and tribulations, afflictions of body, mind, and heart, He shall never abandon us. He is the perfect Father for us. He knows what we want and gives us exactly what we need. He knows what we can handle and gives us the grace to succeed. He knows what is best for us and He will do everything He can to lead us to our greatest potential as both human beings and Christians. He shall not forsake us, even though we might forsake Him for sins and distractions. He will always treat us with tenderness, even when we are heartless and pay Him little to no heed. He will always be waiting for us to return to Him, not to tell us "I told you so," but to welcome us back home and say, "let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found."

Do we trust God will always be there for us? How can we be there for those whom are in need around us? What can we do to become as tender and loving as God is to us?

O Lord, we will never forget you.

Amen.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Fourth Tuesday of Lent

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

When we sin, our souls can be like the Dead Sea, where very few creatures can live. Our failings, imperfections, and wickedness can cause our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies to be barren of good works. However, through the sacrament of reconciliation, we can be refreshed and renewed. Our vices are washed away and our virtues multiplied. We bear good fruits of all kinds and grow in faith, hope, and love. We are watered by the love, mercy, and grace God has given us through the life, passion, and resurrection of Jesus. We become spiritual food and medicine to those in need of it just as Christ did in his holy life.

How can we refresh and renew our souls? Do we make regular use of the sacrament of reconciliation and the graces it grants us? How can we become spiritual food and medicine to the souls of those we meet each day?

O Lord, help us to be refreshed in spirit and bear good fruits all the days of our lives.

Amen.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Fourth Monday of Lent

Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people.

God is preparing a new world for us after our lives in this one. This is why it is so important to remember that our time on earth is only a prologue to our eternity. It lays the groundwork for what comes in the next life. We either build up a strong foundation that allows us to build a bridge to Heaven or we fail to do so and find ourselves lost to Hell. These are the two destinations that await us after our lives on earth end. There is no middle, lukewarm path. We are either destroyed because of our selfishness and sin or we are renewed in the spirit of love and truth and unite with God forever. The choice is ours.

How are we preparing for the afterlife? Are we building a bridge to Heaven? What can we do to make better choices so we can be united with God for all eternity?

O Lord, let us be filled with joy and happiness with you forever and ever.

Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.

All that we had in the past, have now, and will have in the future is a gift from God. Our lives are a gift. Our families, friends, neighbors, and even the strangers we meet are a gift. Our time, talents, and treasures are a gift. Our consciences, virtues, and faith are a gift. There is nothing we think, say, or do that is good that hasn’t been given to us as a gift. God even has given Himself to us as a gift through Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh. He gave us His Body and Blood as a gift and the source of our Eucharistic feast. He offers us eternal life with Him as the ultimate gift. But as with all gifts, they have to be accepted. And that is where we come in... we have to say, “Yes” to all the gifts God is offering us. If we do this, then we will become gifts to the world, pouring out God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace wherever we go.

Do we thank God for the gifts He has given us? How can we put those gifts to good use? How can we become living gifts to God and all His children?

O Lord, we accept your gifts with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Amen.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Third Saturday of Lent

What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

If we are not careful our piety can disappear like the morning dew. If our faith is founded on pride or selfishness, we can do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. Our religious observations can be done not for the glory of God, but out of an empty self-righteousness. We can think we are pious and good, but in truth we are acting like self-righteous hypocrites, who believe they are better than everyone else. Our prayers can be self-serving and our actions can bear no good fruits. However, if our lives are founded on knowing, loving, and serving God with all our being, then we shall be truly faithful to our calling to be disciples of Christ in all things.

What is our faith life founded on? How can we resist the temptations to misuse our faith? How can we become good, faithful, and loving servants to God and all His children?

O Lord, we want only to know and love you more perfectly in all things.

Amen.

Friday, March 9, 2018

Third Friday of Lent

I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

God wants to be our eternal shade. He wants to be the place where all of us rest. He knows we are imperfect, but His Love can make us perfect. He knows we have sinned against Him, but He loves us still. He wants to take root in our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. He wants to grow within us, to bear good fruits through us, and to be a shelter for us for all time. He wants us to flourish and prosper and rest. He loves us freely, without restriction or hesitation and He wants us to love Him in the same way. He wants us to love others as He does. And if we do, then we shall rest with Him forever and ever.

How often do we take time to rest in God? Do we allow God to take root in our lives as we should? What can we do to grow in faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, you love us freely, help us to love you freely, too.

Amen.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Third Thursday of Lent

This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.

There are many ways we turn our backs on God. We give into temptations and sin. We let an opportunity to do good pass us by. We let the world distract us from what is really important. We let how others treat us harden our hearts and make us less charitable and merciful. We fail to know, love, and serve God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. However, if we open our ears and listen to God’s Voice through our consciences, then we shall come face-to-face with God and be His people. We shall walk in His Ways and prosper spiritually. If we obey Our Heavenly Father’s commandments, Jesus’s teachings, and the Holy Spirit’s inspirations, then we shall grow in faith, hope, and love. We shall be good and holy servants.

Do we set aside time each day to listen to God? How can we walk more perfectly in the way of Christ? How can we avoid turning our backs on God?

O Lord, we are listening.

Amen.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Third Wednesday of Lent

Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, 'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.' For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

God has given us commandments not to restrict us, but to free us from sin. He has given us statutes and decrees to bless us and lead us to eternal life. He has taught us His Way, Truth, and Life so we might grow in wisdom. He has given us His Divine and Natural Laws because we are made in His Image and He wants us to be as close to Him as possible. He wants us to be the best reflections of Him through lives of holiness, justice, and virtue.

How can we live out God’s Law more perfectly? What can we do to become living reflections of His Divine Image? How can we grow closer to God through our thoughts, words, and works of each day?

O Lord, grant us the wisdom to know your laws and put them into practice every day of our lives.

Amen.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Third Tuesday of Lent

But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, So let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy. Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord.

If we are leading the Christ-like life, then we are living sacrifices. We might not be dying on a physical cross, but we are dying to ourselves day after day. We give our faith to God without reservation, we offer prayers with contrite hearts and humble spirits, asking our Heavenly Father for forgiveness. We trust in God’s Mercy and so we are merciful. We follow God with our whole heart and so we lead others closer to Him. We fear letting the Lord down and so we raise ourselves up and do His Will without reservation or hesitation. We strive to do our best as Christians and hope God’s Kindness and Mercy will deliver us from all evil and our own weaknesses.

How can we cultivate contrite hearts and humble spirits? How can we make ourselves into living sacrifices? What do we need to do in order to follow God with our whole being?

O Lord, we sacrifice ourselves to you, deliver us by your wonders.

Amen.

Monday, March 5, 2018

Third Monday of Lent

"Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean." But Naaman went away angry, saying, "I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the LORD his God, and would move his hand over the spot, and thus cure the leprosy. Are not the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?" With this, he turned about in anger and left.

When we receive a response from God that doesn’t match our expectations, we can rebel against it. Like Naaman, we can be angry when our prayers are answered in an unexpected way. We might have grand visions of what our lives should be like going forward, but then our lives go in a different direction and we wonder, “Why me? Why this way?” However, part of being a child of God and a follower of Christ is trusting that no matter where God leads us we shall be better off. God knows our strengths and weaknesses better than we do and so He knows what we can handle and what we cannot. He knows if we are ready for certain successes. He knows when we need a setback to remind us we are not perfect. He knows what we need and gives it to us. He knows what we want and will withhold it if it isn’t good for us or if we aren’t ready to receive it. The key is to remember God has only our best interests at heart and as long as we trust in His Wisdom above our own, then we shall have peace even when our prayers and expectations are not meet in the way we wanted them to be.

What prayers and expectations do I currently have? Am I willing and ready to allow God to answer these hopes in His way? How can come to a more perfect trust in God?

O Lord, give us the grace to allow you to answer our prayers in your own way and time.

Amen.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Third Sunday of Lent

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

There are many people in our world that think our faith is foolishness. They will dismiss our faith as superstition or mock our faith as backwards. However, we should let their words slide off us because those who attack our faith do so out of ignorance. Like Christ, we should say, “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” This is because we know our faith is not superstition, nor backwards, nor any of the other words people use to demean our beliefs. Instead, it is wiser than human wisdom and stronger than human strength. If we trust in it, we have nothing to fear. If we allow its commandments and precepts to guide us, then we shall be at peace and be made worthy of eternal life.

How do we respond to those who mock or attack our faith? How can we respond more like Christ? How can we proclaim Christ crucified in our own daily lives?

O Lord, grant us your wisdom and strength.

Amen.

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Second Saturday of Lent

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

Thank goodness we have a God who is willing to forgive our sins and delights in clemency. To our great benefit, our Heavenly Father is loving and merciful. His compassion is unfathomable when we look at all the sins committed throughout all of human history. Imagine every instance of our pride, envy, wrath, greed, lust, gluttony, and sloth... and all our missed opportunities to do good and avoid evil. Jesus Christ sacrificed himself to wash away all these sins. To give us all a chance to know, love, and serve God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. Without the cross and the outpouring of blood and water, mercy and grace, we would be left with nothing but the burden of our sins, weighing us down. But thankfully, God’s Divine Mercy is deeper than our sins and as long as we seek His Forgiveness with contrite hearts and are willing to make amends, then He will show faithfulness to us and lead us to life everlasting.

Do we seek God’s Forgiveness as often as we should? Do we give thanks to God for all the mercy and grace He has shown us? In what ways can we should mercy to others who have sinned against us?

O Lord, have compassion on us.

Amen.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Second Friday of Lent

So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan. They noticed him from a distance, and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him. They said to one another: "Here comes that master dreamer! Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here; we could say that a wild beast devoured him. We shall then see what comes of his dreams."

Jealousy is a vice we must always be on guard against. It can worm its way into our hearts and eat away at us. It can devour our virtues and turn our minds, hearts, souls, and strengths against God and His children. When we see something good happen to someone else, we should rejoice, even if that person is an enemy or rival. We should not take their success as an affront, but rather praise God for His Goodness to all. We may feel like we’ve gotten the short end of the stick, but that is only the case if we allow jealousy into our hearts. If instead, we are content and at peace with whatever God gives us, then we shall see our own dreams come true. Perhaps not in the way we expected, but in the way that is best for us and our souls.

Are we jealous of anyone? How can we rid ourselves of this jealousy? What can we do to guard against jealous thoughts and the temptations they bring?

O Lord, give us hearts full of charity and mercy.

Amen.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Second Thursday of Lent

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.

It is easy to say we trust in God when things are going well, but it can be more difficult to trust in Him when life takes a turn for the worst. However, this is exactly the time when we need to place our trust in God. It is how we respond to the trials of our lives that determines where our heart truly lies. Does it rest in God, secure in the knowledge that He will take care of us? Or does it quake in fear and seek to end its difficulties through selfish and sinful actions? Hopefully, we choose to rest in God and allow His Love, Mercy, and Grace to sustain us through every challenge. If we do, then our lives will be rooted in God and no matter the dryness of our spiritual lives or the difficulties the world throws at us, we will show no distress and bear good fruits.

Do we trust God to deliver us from every evil? Are we willing to root our lives in the living waters of faith in God, hope in His Goodness, and love of the Holy Trinity? How can we become more dependent upon God as our Father, Teacher, and Inspirer?

O Lord, bless us who trust in you.

Amen.