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.

Fifth Tuesday of Easter

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 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.

God asks all of us to be His friends. Think about that for a moment. Our Creator, our Redeemer, our Advocate wants to be our friend. He wants to know, love, and serve us as friends do. He wants us to be with Him as much as He is with us. He constantly builds our relationship up through grace and compassion. He does small and great things for us and our good just as a good friend would. It is only right and good that we respond in kind to Him and do what He calls us to do... to love Him and all His children as He loves us.

Are we living up to our calling to be friends of our Lord? How do we make God known to others? What can we do to become better prophets of the Word?

O Lord, make us into good and faithful friends to you and all your children.

Amen.

Monday After Epiphany

I will give you all the nations for an inheritance. The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.”

God has given us all a great inheritance. He has provided us life for a reason. He has not given us the gifts and goods we have to squander them on worldly things. He wants us to use them to proclaim His Good News in great and small ways. Not all of us are called to be prophets, priests, or kings, but we all have duties that reflect these roles. We are asked to speak the Truth like the Prophet of Prophets. We are called to make our lives into sacrifices like the Priest of Priests. We are called to know, love, and serve God and others like the King of Kings. We can't do these things if we prefer the lies of the world, allow our possessions to possess us, avoid suffering at all costs, or choose to be selfish. No, the only way to be found worthy of our spiritual inheritance is to accept it and then live our lives in accordance with God's Will.

Are we using our inheritance wisely and well? How can we become better stewards of God's gifts and blessings? How can we avoid the temptations and traps of the world?

O Lord, we are your children and accept your will.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

"Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear."

There are times in our lives when someone speaks the word of God to us. They might tell us to reform our ways, give us words of encouragement to continue on our path, or offer us advice that will help us grow in faith, hope, or love. It is important that we open our minds and hearts to these people, listen, and then do what God is calling us to do. There are other times when we are asked to speak the Word of God to others, to warn others against sin, to help lead them to a better life, to support them in their spiritual journeys. At these times, we are asked to be like the prophets of old and must be willing to act as such even if doing so means risking the mockery and anger of others.

Are we listening for the Word of God when others speak to us, especially those whom we know are good and faithful servants to the Lord? How might we become better prophets of the Good News to others? In what ways can we be more open to communicating with God and speaking his truth to others?

O Lord, give us ears to hear you and lips to speak you.

Amen.

Fourteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it and said, "See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" "Here I am," I said; "send me!"

Here I am, send me. These are the words all of us should have on our lips at all times. And, like Isaiah, we also need to be cleansed of our sins if we want to be able to succeed in our mission. We must be purged of all those fears, doubts, evils, and indifferences that keep us from being good and faithful servants to God. Yes, we can do good even as sinners, but we do a greater good if we can perform our works of charity and mercy while in a state of grace. Just as a bell rings out louder when it is unmuffled, so too our thoughts, words, and deeds ring truer and have greater effect when they are untarnished by our sins and imperfections. So, let us allow God to purge us of our sins through the sacrament of reconciliation so we might be better prophets of His Holy Word.

Do we take advantage of our opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation? Are we willing to allow God to send us where He needs us? What can we do to become better prophets of the Good News?

O Lord, purge us from our sins.

Amen.

Thirteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' Now hear the word of the LORD!"

Amos didn't set out to be a prophet. He was a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees before he received his calling. In a similar way, none of us daydreamed of being prophets when we grew up. However, as Christians, we are all called to be prophets, leading people deeper into the faith by thoughts, words, and deeds. We might not wake up each morning and receive a vision or hear the voice of God as the prophets of old did, but we all see the Truth and hear the voice of our conscience. We all know when others are in need of a good listener and a word of spiritual advice. Our prophesies might not be as profound as the prophets who came before us, but they can have a great effect on those who hear us and are willing to listen to what God is saying through us.

Are we answering our calling to be prophets of the Good News? Are we listening for the inspirations and guidance of the Holy Spirit? How can we manifest God's Divine Word to others?

O Lord, give us the words we need in order to bring your Divine Word to all those whom we meet each day.

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.

Second Saturday of Advent

How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Whose glory is equal to yours? You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses. You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Just like the prophet Elijah, we are called to be a light to the world and enkindle the fires of faith within others. We are asked to do wondrous deeds, both great and small, through acts of love and mercy. We are given the responsibility to proclaim the Good News to all whom we meet through our words and share our faith through our works. We are tasked with turning the hearts of others to God and to reestablish other people’s relationships with our Heavenly Father. We should be a blessing to others in everything we do.

What are the deeds God is asking us to do? Are we fulfilling our responsibility to be prophets of the Good News? How can we become living blessings to all those whom we meet each day?

O Lord, grant us the fire of your Holy Spirit so we might set fire to the world.

Amen.

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

Stephen, a deacon, was called to service in a special way among the early Christians. However, he not only worked great wonders and signs, but also proclaimed the faith with wisdom and the Spirit even though he knew it might mean his death. In a similar way, we are all called to be prophetic servants of God’s Word and His Will. We might not have a specific vocation to the deaconate or be called to be martyrs, but we are all asked to know, love, and serve God and His children in our own unique ways and be willing to suffer and die in order to fulfill our mission to evangelize the world. Our service and deaths might not be as dramatic as Stephen’s, but that doesn’t mean they are any less important in the eyes of God. He sees our good deeds and sacrifices with the eyes of a loving Father, compassionate Brother, and supportive Advocate. He only cares that what we do is done with great love and mercy.

How are we being called to be a sign of God’s Goodness? In what ways can we proclaim the Good News to others? What vocation is God calling us to?

O Lord, makes us prophetic signs of your love and mercy.

Amen.

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”

In order to be Christians, we have to be fearless in the face of opposition from those who do not believe in the message of Jesus. We cannot allow others to discourage us from proclaiming the Good News, giving witness to our faith, or sharing our beliefs in the Holy Trinity. Just as it was impossible for Peter and John to not speak about what they saw and heard, so we must not be silent when it comes to preaching the gospels to others through our words and works. We are called to be prophets, making known the Truth that comes from the Word of God so that others will come to know His Way and live His Life.

Are we fearless in our faith? Do we obey the world rather than God? How do our lives proclaim the Good News to all whom we meet?

O Lord, may our tongues speak about you and your good works, forever and ever.

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.

God has given us his Divine Word through many people. The prophets gave it to us through the Old Testament. Jesus gave it to us by becoming the Word made Flesh and expressing it through his Good News. The Church gives it to us through its scriptures and traditions. Every day, God’s Word is with us. It is in the people we meet. Family, friends, and neighbors who think, speak, and act in accord with God’s Divine Plan. It is also within each of us and it is up to us to proclaim it with our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. It is up to us to bring about the good ends that God wants for us and others through making ourselves into living words of His Love, Mercy, and Grace.

Are we listening for God’s Word in our lives? How can we become prophets of the Good News to others? How can we cultivate the Word through everything we think, say, and do?

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

Amen.

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Just as John the Baptist was the messenger of the Lord and the preparer of His way into the world, so must we become heralds of God’s Will. Being His messenger means not only listening to the Good News, but proclaiming it through our every word and work. It means preparing ourselves in such a way to make our souls into living temples where God can dwell. It also requires us to perform acts of charity and mercy for others so that their hearts will be open to the coming of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do these things if we don’t refine our faith and let God purge us of our sins and imperfections. It is only through His Grace that we can increase in spiritual richness and attain our highest purpose.

Are we messengers of God or the world? How can we become better prophets of God’s Love and Divine Truth? What can we do to purify our souls?

O Lord, refine us and make us into faithful messengers of your Good News.

Amen.

Second Saturday of Advent

In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace. Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits; By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire. How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!

Just like Elijah, our words should be like a flaming furnace. They should warm the hearts of others. Thaw the ice of indifference. Enkindle the fires of love. Call out to the Holy Spirit: Come! They should shatter misconceptions, prejudices, hatreds, and all those chains that keep us from loving God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. They should be willing to warn others when they are in spiritual danger and rebuke those who would lead others astray. Every word should speak to the awesome power of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace and come from a heart that is thankful for all the wondrous deeds He has done through us.

Are we fulfilling our calling to be prophets of the Good News? Do we let the enkindling flames of the Holy Spirit spread from our words and works? Do we recognize God as the source, center, and summit of all our good deeds?

O Lord, may the fires of your love be spread through us and into the world.

Amen.

Seventeenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him."

Our words and works determine who we will be compared with in our lives. Jesus was compared with St. John the Baptist during his life and although we know Jesus is greater than him many of his contemporaries didn’t recognize this. In a similar way, we are all called to remind others of Jesus during our lives. Instead of being prophets of his first coming, as John was, we are the prophets of his second coming. Whenever we speak or act like Christ, we proclaim the Good News and the promise of Jesus’ return, a return we should be anticipating and preparing ourselves for. The greatest compliment anyone could give us during our lives on earth would be, “This man (or woman) is Jesus. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him (or her).”

Do our words echo the words of Jesus? Do our works mirror the works of Jesus? How can we make ourselves living reminders of Christ, our Savior King?

O Lord, may your mighty powers work through us.

Amen.

The Third Monday of Lent

“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

We are all called to be prophets of the Good News and as such we should expect to be rejected by others who do not wish to hear what we have to say. However, we cannot let others keep us from spreading the Gospel. Just like Jesus, we cannot be afraid of speaking the truth. We might not be popular for it. We might even be persecuted. But it is the right thing to do no matter what. This is a difficult calling, especially in an age that preaches ambiguity over truth. Nevertheless, we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves by telling the truth and acting as Jesus would, even if it costs us our lives.

How can we be better prophets of God’s Love for His children? Are we willing to be rejected by family, friends and neighbors in order to proclaim the Good News? Are we brave enough to speak the truth even when others do not want to hear it?

O Lord, help us to be prophets of your sanctifying Gospel.

Amen.

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

I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord”

John the Baptist is yet another person who gives us an example of what it means to do God’s Will. He might not have been a disciple of Jesus, but he certainly lived a Christ-like life. He proclaimed the Word of God, acted with love and mercy toward others, and ultimately gave his life for what he believed in. He was a good and faithful servant, who prepared the way of the Lord into this world. Although we might not be called to live in a desert and fast as John did, we are called to be prophetic people, evangelizing the world and preparing the hearts of others to receive the Lord more fully. We cannot do that if we do not cultivate a spirit of detachment from the world, seek to rectify our faults, and commit ourselves to proclaiming Jesus’ gospel through our thoughts, words, and works.

How can we lead others to the Lord if we do not take the time to straighten out our own lives? What can we do to prepare the way of the Lord into our lives and the lives of those around us? Are we committed to becoming a faithful servant, no matter what the cost might be?

O Lord, help us to proclaim your gospel and make you present in the world through our loving words and works.

Amen.

Fourth Thursday of Advent

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

We are all called to be prophets and to prepare the way of the Lord and bring the good news of salvation to others. We do this by following the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, living lives in imitation of Jesus, and giving glory to the Father for the great things He has done for us. We also do this by speaking comforting words to those in need of them and acting with compassion for all God’s children. In a way, we are the first fingers of dawn, heralding the radiant love of God for our families, friends, and neighbors. And if we do God’s Will and become instruments of His shining graces, then we will be like lamps in the darkness of the world, bearing the light of the gospels wherever we go.

 Are we preparing ourselves to be prophets of the Good News? Are we lights of God’s love in the darkness of the world? How can we become better prophets to God’s children?

O Lord, give us the grace to be prophets of your word. Guide our feet onto the way of your peace.

Amen.

Second Thursday of Advent

Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.

In a way, we are all called to be John the Baptist in our lives. We are asked by God to become prophets of Jesus’ life, teachings, and sacrifice. This is not an easy task. Others will oppose us, but it is a necessary step along the way to our salvation. If our lives do not proclaim the coming of the Lord, then what good are they? We shall have nothing to show for our lives if we do not fast, pray, proclaim, and evangelize as John did, though a life of example to those around him. So let us be beacons on a hill, voices in the wilderness, giving glory to God and preparing the way of the Lord into the hearts of others.

Are we willing to be prophets of the gospel of Christ? What have we done to proclaim the kingdom of heaven in our lives and the lives of others? Have we prepared the way of God into our hearts and the hearts of others?

O Lord, make us into prophets of your love, mercy, and grace.

Amen.

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

Therefore, the wisdom of God said, “I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building.”

Jesus reminds his audience that their ancestors persecuted the prophets, believing what they were doing was the right thing. Just like their forefathers, the scholars and Pharisees think they know right from wrong. They see Jesus as a threat rather than as a savior and so they put all of their energies into interrogating and plotting against him. They have made themselves judges of good and evil just as Adam and Eve did and this is why Jesus tells them that they will be charged with the blood of all the prophets from Abel to Zechariah. They have condemned themselves by making themselves into judges, a right only God has. Just like the scholars and the Pharisees, we too are constantly tempted to make judgments against others. Of course, the judgments we make against others will also be made against us on the Day of Judgment. So let us not make ourselves into judges, but rather let us be like the prophets, proclaiming the gospel through our words and works.

Do we make judgments against others or persecute them for their faults? Do we do confront others’ sins in a spirit of love or do we do so in a judgmental manner? Are we willing to be sent out into the world like the prophets to proclaim the gospel?

O Lord, send us into the world as your prophets.

Amen.