Fourth Sunday of Advent

Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We were created to be apostles. We were made to bear God into the world. We were conceived to proclaim the Good News to all the nations. God has given Himself to us through the Scriptures, the Church, and the sacraments. He wants us to succeed as His servants and heirs to His Kingdom. And if we want to accomplish His Divine Plan, then we must be obedient to Him. We must follow His Commandments. We must live according to His Way, His Truth, and His Life. We must listen to the inspirations and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must choose to be with Him as much as He is with us. We must belong to Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Are we with God or against Him? Are we answering the call to apostleship? What can we do to belong more perfectly to Him in all things?

O Lord, help us to become better apostles of the Good News for all.

Amen.

Second Tuesday of Advent

Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

We are all called to be heralds of the Good News to the world around us. We do this through our thoughts, our words, and especially through our works. We give witness to God’s Goodness, Love, and Mercy through sharing our own faith with those we meet each day from friends and family to neighbors and strangers. We shouldn’t be afraid of what others might think of us for devoting our lives to God and His Church. After all, if we live according to the Gospels, then we shall receive the greatest reward... eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Besides being heralds, we are also tasked with being co-shepherds feeding God’s flock with good works, helping God gather others into lives of saintliness, carrying those who are injured by sin, and leading the young and old alike toward our Savior through acts of charity and mercy.

In what ways are we acting as heralds of the Good News? How can we do a better job of fulfilling our calling to proclaim the Word of God? How can we become better shepherds and lead others to faith in our Merciful Lord?

O Lord, give us what we need to be heralds of the faith and shepherds of your flock.

Amen.

Thirty-First Friday in Ordinary Time

In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God. For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ. Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another’s foundation, but as it is written: Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.

It might be difficult to believe, but there are many in this world that do not know Jesus Christ. They have no personal or communal relationship with Him. He exists outside their frame of reference. They might have heard about him, but they do not know him or what he truly stands for. So many children are not being taught what it means to be Christian. So many are told they do not need him in their lives. So many are denied him by parents who have neglected to bring him into their children’s lives. It can be saddening to think that the only exposure many have with Jesus is as a historical figure, who lived and died in Israel. What a loss for such people! We should look at this lack and be driven to do something about it... to proclaim the Gospels and show others what it means to be faithful, hopeful, and loving Christians. That way those around us will have a chance to see and understand our God, who is Good and worth knowing.

What does pertain to God in our lives? What have we done to accomplish His Will in our lives? How are we spreading the Good News and the knowledge of Christ to all those who are around us?

O Lord, spread your Word and accomplish your Will through us.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

We can learn a lot about how to live our lives from Scripture. We are shown time and again what it means to be a God-bearing person. We are given commandments to follow, teachings to live by, and guidance in leading holy lives. We are given corrections for our failures and trained in righteousness. If we live according to the Good News, we will be equipped for every good work. This is why it is so important to proclaim the Word of God through our every thought, word, and work. It not only builds up and reinforces our own holiness, but helps others to increase in faith, hope, and love. The life of Christian virtue is one we must live whether it is convenient or inconvenient so we can convince, reprimand, and encourage others in their own journeys toward God.

Do we take time each day to meditate on Scripture? How can we take what we learn from the Good News and put it into practice? What can we do to support others in their own faith journeys?

O Lord, help us to be persistent in living out the teachings of the Holy Scriptures you’ve provided us.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.

If we are friends to God, then we will make know the glorious splendor of His Kingdom. We will proclaim the Good News and strive to manifest His Love and Mercy in all our thoughts, words, and works. We will be just in all our ways and holy in our actions. We will not be afraid to stand for the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ. We will call upon Him in thanksgiving for all He has done for us and in petition for His help in our times of need. This is what we are all called to do as His beloved children and it should be our goal in life to meet the high standards God has set for us through the example of Jesus, our Lord, Savior, and Heavenly Brother.

How do we make God know in our lives? In what ways do we proclaim the Good News and manifest God’s Goodness to the world? Do we call upon Him with complete trust in His Will?

O Lord, help us to make you known to all the world.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous by faith will live.”

We should never be ashamed of our faith or proclaiming the Gospel. We should be overjoyed to bring the Good News into the world through our thoughts, words, and works. We should want to embody righteousness for all we meet, friends and enemies. We should not be afraid to be criticized by others for our beliefs, nor should we apologize for our choice in faith. If we want to be worthy of eternal life, then we must choose to live the Christ-like life. A life founded on the commandments of our Heavenly Father, formed around the teachings of Jesus, and crowned with the sanctifying inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

Are we ashamed by our faith? If not, then what do we do to proclaim it in thoughts, words, or works? How can we become more righteous by faith?

O Lord, we will never be ashamed to proclaim the Gospel.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

The Lord has done marvels for us. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

Gladness should be a core trait for us all. We have much to be happy about. God formed us in His Divine Image and gave us free will. He created us and gave us all our gifts and talents. He has provided us with graces and blessings beyond what we deserve. He has protected us from the wickedness and snares of the Devil and all those who would lead us away from Him. He has done marvelous deeds for us in great and little ways. He has adopted us as a Father. He has loved us as a brother. He has been with us in Spirit and in Truth, showing us the Way and the Life that will lead to salvation and eternal life. Yes, we have many things to be glad and grateful for and we should proclaim this to all who will hear us.

What are we glad about? How can we be happier people, even in our moments of difficulty? What can we do to spread the Good News of God’s marvelous deeds to all the world?

O Lord, you have done marvels for us and we are glad.

Amen.

Twenty-Third Wednesday in Ordinary Time

The Lord is compassionate toward all his works. Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might.

In order to spread the Good News, we have to be willing to live and proclaim it. We cannot sit idly by and let salvation happen to us. Salvation comes to those who are willing to ask, seek, and knock for it. It comes to those who are willing to suffer and die for it. It comes to those who are willing to pray, give alms, and sacrifice for it. It comes to those who love God and show compassion to His children. Salvation comes to those who are active in their pursuit of God’s Will and willing to do whatever it takes to make His Will be done.

Do we talk to others about what God has done for us? How can we spread the Good News in our lives and the lives of those around us? How can we be compassionate toward others as God is compassionate toward us?

O Lord, we give you thanks by speaking of your glory and might to all who will listen.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations.

Our faith isn’t a passive one. It requires us to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News. It asks us to move out of our comfort zones and do what is right even though it might cost us greatly to do so. It calls us to be the best versions of ourselves by imitating Christ, even to the point of dying on a cross. It is through us that God manifests himself to most people. Our thoughts, words, and works reveal Him to others and we will be held accountable for how well or poorly we bear God into the world around us. So, let us lift high the cross and proclaim we are Christians by our love.

Do we make known the splendor of God’s Kingdom? What can we do to show others the glory of God? How can we help God’s Kingdom to endure through all generations?

O Lord, we are your friends and will make you known wherever we go and in whatever we do.

Amen.

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.

The water of salvation is meant to be shared. We cannot receive the sacraments or go to Mass and refuse to spread the Good News to the rest of the world. As Christians, we cannot turn our back on the world. Instead, we must bear the Light of Christ into it to the best of our ability and bring as many people into the wedding feast as we can gather. We cannot do that if we are locked away from the world. We should be confident and unafraid to do whatever Jesus tells us to do. We should be willing to empty ourselves of all those things that keep us from being filled with the Holy Spirit so we might become living fonts of God’s Grace. We should strive to pour out the good wine of salvation to all whom we meet and give it to all who are thirsty for salvation.

Are we confident and unafraid to bear the Good News into the world? Are we willing to empty ourselves of our own desires and wants so we can become better bearers of God’s Divine Grace and Mercy? What can we do to bear the light of Christ into the lives of those around us?

O Lord, you are the fountain of our strength and courage.

Amen.

Fifth Thursday of Easter

Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

We are all called to be prophets, proclaiming the Good News just as Jesus and his disciples did so long ago. It isn’t enough to just believe. We also have to act on our beliefs. We have to show our faith and hope through works of love. Our lives must pour forth marvelous works of charity and mercy. They must proclaim God through word and deed. Our entire lives should trumpet the glory of God and the promise of salvation through our Heavenly Father, who loves us more than we can possibly imagine.

In what ways do we proclaim God’s marvelous deeds? How do we announce His salvation? How do we tell of His glory?

O Lord, grant us the courage and grace to proclaim you and your marvelous deeds wherever we go.

Amen.

Third Friday of Easter

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

God is faithful and kind to us. In good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in sin and holiness, He will always love us. His love is unconditional. It does not weaken with time or out of anger. It endures all out of a deep love for His every child. He is our Heavenly Father and in Him we have the Promise of eternal life.

How can we become as faithful and kind as our Heavenly Father? In what ways can we go out into the world and tell the Good News? How can we strengthen our faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, help us to be kind as you are kind.

Amen.

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples!

Going out to all the world and telling the Good News can be a bit intimidating, but it isn’t impossible. We can go out to the world in all sorts of ways. Through the way we treat our family, our friends, our neighbors, and the strangers we meet each day. Perhaps the best way to proclaim the Good News is to simply embody it for others in our thoughts, words, and works. When we imitate Jesus Christ, we spread the faith, glorify God, and bring others closer to Him.

Are our lives giving glory to God? In what ways is God calling us to go out into the world and tell the Good News? How can we praise God to all whom we meet?

O Lord, help us to glorify you in all things.

Amen.

The Epiphany of the Lord

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 co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We are all coheirs in the promise of Christ Jesus. We are all members of the same body. The Three Wise Men came to the Christ child, led by a star and in hope of meeting the Messiah. They brought him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In the same way, we come to Christ, too, and give him our time, talents, and treasures. We know all our thoughts, words, and works find their source, center, and summit in God, who is our Father and our King. He has adopted us as His own children through the sacrifice of His Beloved Son and the love of the Holy Spirit.

Do we act like coheirs to the promise of Christ? What are we doing to be co-partners in God's Divine Plan of salvation? What gifts do we have to give to the King of Kings and our fellow children of God?

O Lord, make us co-partners in spreading the Good News.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.

All of creation resounds with joy before the Lord. From the sky to the earth, from the sun to the moon, from the birds in the air to the fish in the sea... everything that was created echoes the goodness of God. He created everything from His Word from the rivers to the mountains and all the living creatures of this world. Most amazing of all, He created us in His Own Image. He granted us free will and the ability to choose the good over the evil. He created us to love Him and each other and spread the Good News throughout the world.

Do our thoughts, words, and works resound with joy before the Lord? Do they bring joy to others? Do they spread the Good News?

O Lord, let us shout with joy before you so all who dwell in the world will know and love you as we do.

Amen.

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

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

The world around us should see the saving power of God reflected in us. Our thoughts, words, and works should mirror those of Christ so when others see us they should know we are Christians by our love. There should be no doubt about our faith, hope, and love when a person sees us in action. Our deeds, although not always wondrous or great, should sing to the Lord, giving Him praise for all He has done for us. Our lives should win victory for him in great and small things by revealing God’s Goodness through our acts of charity and mercy. Just as Jesus proclaimed the Good News through his holy life, so we should do the same.

Do our lives reflect the saving power of God? Do they proclaim the Good News and sign of God’s Glory? How can our acts of charity and mercy win victory for God in the hearts of others?

O Lord, we see your saving power and pray to become instruments of it for all.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Wednesday in Ordinary Time

And when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong. For, until some people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and separated himself, because he was afraid of the circumcised. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not on the right road in line with the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas in front of all, "If you, though a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

When we see someone else doing something wrong, we have an obligation to correct them. This isn't always easy. Sometimes they are loved ones and we don't want to start a fight and cause strife in our homes and families. Sometimes they are strangers and we fear their reaction to our rebuke. However, wrong is wrong and right is right and we should not be afraid to speak the truth and correct others as long as we do it out of love and not a feeling of superiority... after all we are sinners, too. This is what Paul did when he rebuked Cephas and it is what we must be willing to do when we see others are not on right road.

Are there people in our lives whom we need to talk to in regards to wrongdoing? How can we bring up the subject without antagonizing them or nagging them? Are we willing to suffer in order to spread the Good News, even to those whom might not want to hear it?

O Lord, grant us the grace to speak your truth even when it might cost us dearly to do so.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. Son of man, he then said to me, feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them.

The Word of God can nourish and sustain us if we allow it into our hearts. There is a feast of virtue contained within the pages of the Bible. There is a banquet of goodness set before us in the teachings of Christ. We are all asked to partake in this meal through the Liturgies of the Word and the Eucharist. Both mind and body are fed at the celebration of the Mass and we would do well not to starve ourselves of their bountiful fruits. Through the reading of the Scriptures and the sharing of the Blessed Sacrament, we are given heavenly foods that are sweeter than any honey and more fulfilling than any food.

Do we read Scripture every day and allow God to nourish our souls through His Divine Word? Do we make every effort to receive the Body and Blood of Christ whenever we can? Are we willing to bear God’s Good News to all, even if it means being persecuted for it?

O Lord, give us the good food of your Divine Word.

Amen.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

"This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Our faith has been passed down from generation to generation for two thousand years. It was given to Jesus’ disciples and they passed it on to others... all the way to us. Now, it is our responsibility to pass on the faith to the next generations. Our children and their children. We would indeed do well to be attentive to our faith so we might shine with hope and bring warmth to others through our love. We are all given the great and humbling task of passing the flame of faith to others and it is up to us to do it with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

What are we doing to pass on the faith to others? Are we manifesting Jesus through our every thought, word, and work? How can we become better preachers of the Good News?

O Lord, make us into lamps shining in the darkness.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, 'What do you suppose that I am' I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet."

Just like John the Baptist, we are all called to proclaim a life of repentance to all of God’s children. We are asked to be prophets of the God News spreading God’s Word to all those whom we meet each day. No, we are not Jesus or John... and perhaps we are not worthy to unfasten the sandals of either man’s feet, but we have the same mission as both of them... the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls. It is a vocation all Christians have and we must do our best to prepare the way of our Lord and God... for He is coming again and when he does we want to be able to stand before him and say, “We did our best to bring you into the world and bring others into your Way, Truth, and Life.”

Are we fulfilling our calling to be prophets of God’s Good News? How can we spread the Word of God to the world around us? In what ways can we prepare the way of the Lord?

O Lord, we are not worthy to unfasten your sandals, but with your heavenly aid, we shall unfasten the hearts of others so your Love, Mercy, and Grace can enter into them more fully.

Amen.