Thirtieth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

The Lord has done marvels for us. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

God constantly offers us restoration. He provides for us a path to renewal and rejuvenation as His children. He gives us a way to shore up the foundations of our faith and rebuild areas of our spiritual lives that have fallen into disrepair. He wants our spiritual fortunes restored. He wants the roots of our lives watered and the branches of our lives to be fruitful. He wants us to sow no matter the difficulties so we can reap rejoicing. He wants us to prosper and the only way we can do that is to make Him the Source, Center, and Summit of our daily lives.

What marvels has God done for us? Do we thank Him for these graces and blessings? How can we learn to sow in tears so we can reap rejoicing?

O Lord, restore us.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Our help is in the name of the Lord. We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare; Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

We are often beset by the wickedness and snares of the Devil and the world. We are bombarded with temptations and assailed by evil. We are undermined by imperfections and apathy. We are weakened and chained by worries, doubts, and fears. However, God is always here to help us. He will rescue us from the fowler’s snare. He will protect us from temptations and evil. He will make firm our foundations by building up our faith, hope, and love. He will strengthen us and free us from all anxieties. He is our great Lord and Helper and we would do well to call on His Holy Name whenever we are in need or suffering.

Do we call on the Lord? Are we willing to allow God to break our chains and lead lives free from sin? How can we help to break the snares that others are trapped in?

O Lord, rescue us from the wickedness and snares of the Evil One.

Amen.

Twenty-Second Wednesday in Ordinary Time

I trust in the mercy of God for ever. I, like a green olive tree in the house of God, Trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

God planted us upon this earth to bear good fruit. He has nourished us with the Light of faith and the waters of His Love and Mercy. He has cultivated us with Hope and pruned us with the virtues of prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude. He has weeded evil out of our hearts and protects us from the worms of temptation. We flourish under His care and grow in holiness and grace with each passing season. It is because of Him that we have good things and produce good works. And we should be thankful He has planted us in the fertile soil of His Divine Image, which gives us all we need to become fruitful Christians.

Do we trust in the Light of God’s Truth? Do we allow ourselves to be saturated with the waters of God’s Love and Mercy? What can we do to ensure we bear good and abundant fruits?

O Lord, we trust in your mercy.

Amen.

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

We are all in need of some discipline. There are areas of our lives where we all need some extra work. There are imperfections and sins in each of us that require some correction. So. it should come as no surprise when we are disciplined in some way. God doesn’t do this to hurt us, but rather to help us overcome our weaknesses and build up our faith, hope, and love. These moments of trial may be painful, but if we use them as opportunities to grow in holiness, then they will ultimately lead to joy and the peaceful fruits of righteousness.

What areas in our lives do we need more discipline? How can we learn to appreciate the trials that come our way and use them as stepping stones toward holier lives? What can we do to help others to overcome their weaknesses?

O Lord, we accept your discipline and hope to grow from it.

Amen.

Fourteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord. Hear, O LORD, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

When we are suffering, God is listening. He is watching over us even in our times of trials. He will not abandon us, but He will not always answer us in the way we seek. He may indeed save us from our trials and tribulations, but if He chooses not to do so, we have no reason to be angry with Him. He is just and merciful, but He also will not hand us life on a silver platter. He will not solve all of our problems. He wants us to learn and grow in our own unique ways. He wants us to discover our unique callings and not force them on us. He hears our outcries, but we should remember that He might not answer us at the time or in the way we expect. Instead, He will help us in ways that will offer us a chance to grow in faith, hope, and love. Let us pray we take these opportunities and accept their challenges so one day Our Heavenly Father might say, “Well done, my good and faithful servants.”

How do we suffer? Do we complain and get angry and get even? Or do we offer everything up to God and accept the sacrifices asked of us without hesitation or moaning?

O Lord, attend to my outcries how you deem best.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop

See how the Lord blesses those who fear him. Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored.

In life, we must choose whom we are going to disappoint. We cannot find favor with everyone. We cannot please one and all. We either love God and do everything in our power to glory, honor, and praise Him or we love the world and go our own way. The roads to salvation and destruction may occasionally cross from time to time, but they ultimately diverge. And we must make a decision as to which path to follow. The wide and easy way to sin and death or the narrow and difficult trail to holiness and resurrection. We cannot walk the line between good and evil. We either seek to be good or we are evil. Yes, we might falter and fail, we are sinners after all. But if we have chosen God over the world, then we will ask for forgiveness with contrite hearts, do penance, and continue to strive toward holiness.

Do we fear disappointing God? Are we willing to walk His ways even if it means suffering and sacrifice? How can we grow in God’s blessings, good fruits, and favor?

O Lord, guide us along your ways.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body's growth and builds itself up in love.

Our lives should be spent growing into Christ. We are not perfect like him, but we should strive to be the best versions of ourselves. We might not be the good and faithful servants we are called to be, but we should make every effort to become so. Jesus Christ is our head and our goal. He inspires us through the Holy Spirit and leads us closer to his Heavenly Father so we might become worthy members of His Body. He unites us through love, mercy, and grace and supports us in our hope to become holy. He helps us to fulfill our purpose and build ourselves up. Without Christ in our lives, we have no purpose or function. Our bodies, minds, and hearts wither from abuse, disuse, and indifference. But with Christ, we can become what we were meant to be... the children of God and heirs to His Kingdom.

In what ways are we growing into Jesus? Are there things in our lives that are blocking our growth? How can we become more faithfully united to the Body of Christ and the Will of God?

O Lord, bring about our growth as members of the Body of Christ and build us up in love.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Thursday in Ordinary Time

I want to learn only this from you: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law, or from faith in what you heard? Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so many things in vain?-- if indeed it was in vain. Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?

There is a vast difference between faith and works. We can have faith, but without works to back it up, we are like a clashing cymbal. We can have works, but without faith, we gain no spiritual growth. We need both in order to live as true Christians. Now, this may seem at odds with what Paul tells the Galatians, but we need to keep in mind Paul is talking about the works of the Mosaic law, not the works of Christian service. The Pharisees followed the obligations of the law, but lacked in understanding that the law was not the end of their relationship with God, but the means to it. Just because we fulfill our obligations to go to Mass, abstain from meat during Lent, help others, etc. doesn’t mean we have grown in faith. We can do seemingly good things without good intent. We might just be going through the motions, but without any emotional or spiritual investment. Faith needs to be at the heart of our works so we might grow in hope and love. This is how we must live as Christians if we want to embody the Holy Spirit and gain a place in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Is our faith the driving force behind our acts of hope and love? How can we grow spiritually through our works, great and small? How can we guard against becoming children of the flesh as opposed to children of the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, send us the faith we desire so we might work good deeds for you and all your children.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Tuesday in Ordinary Time

You heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions. But when he, who from my mother's womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.

We all have ways of life we need to be converted from. Some of us must be converted from pride, others from envy. Some from wrath, others from sloth. Some from lust, others from avarice. Some from gluttony, others from a combination of these sins. No matter what sins we've committed in our past, we have a chance at redemption. God's Mercy is greater than our sins and if we confess our failings, do penance, and strive to do good and avoid evil, then we shall be more deeply converted. Our hearts will be transformed from stone to flesh and we shall grow in grace, spreading God's Word through our thoughts, words, and works.

What ways do we need to be converted from? What sins do we need to purge ourselves of? How can we become more faithful followers and messengers of God's Divine Will?

O Lord, convert us from our former ways of sin so we might grow in holiness.

Amen.

Twenty-Fourth Saturday in Ordinary Time

What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be but a bare kernel of wheat, perhaps, or of some other kind. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible. It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious. It is sown weak; it is raised powerful. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one.

We all need to die to ourselves in order to live as Christians. We need to have a certain level of detachment from the world and all its anxieties, distractions, and temptations. We need to be able to put aside our evil inclinations, our bodily desires, and all those things that lead us away from God and keep us from putting on Christ. We are corruptible, dishonorable, and weak, but with Jesus we will be raised incorruptible, glorious, and powerful. Our bodies are sown naturally, but if we follow Christ, then we will be raised into spiritual bodies.

Are we dying to those things that keep us from living in Christ? How can we turn ourselves away from corruption, dishonor, and weakness and grow good, honorable, and strong? What can we do to nurture and nourish our spiritual bodies?

O Lord, transform our physical bodies into spiritual ones.

Amen.

Twenty-Second Wednesday in Ordinary Time

What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building.

Our faith was planted and watered by others, but in the end, it is God who causes it to grow. Our beliefs can’t be founded on others. We do not belong spiritually to a particular person no matter how much they have helped us in our faith. Our mothers, fathers, friends, priests, and others might have played an important role in our spiritual journey, but we do not belong to them. Instead, their examples should show us we belong to God. In this way, if they fail us in some way it doesn’t affect our relationship with God.

In what ways has our faith grown over the years? How can we make our hearts and minds more fertile ground for spiritual growth? How can we help to grow the faith of others?

O Lord, we are your field help us to grow in faith and yield abundant fruit.

Amen.

Sixth Saturday of Easter

A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately.

We should always be seeking to build up the understanding of others in whatever way we can. We can offer our thoughts, words, and works to help cultivate their faith. Sometimes those around us need a little bit of clarification about the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ and we must do our best to explain them more fully. When we see another growing in the faith, we should do everything in our power to encourage, empower, and engage them as Jesus did with his disciples. In this way, we build up the kingdom of God through supporting those who are digging deeper into the foundations of what it means to be Christians.

How can we nurture and cultivate the faith of others? What can we do to teach the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Jesus Christ? Who are the people in our lives we can help grow in the faith?

O Lord, give us the grace to help others to follow your Way.

Amen.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.

When we are faithful to our calling, we are at peace... even if we are suffering, persecuted, mocked, and facing difficulties. This is because when we are doing God’s Will, we know everything will turn out right in the end. We might have to overcome obstacles and struggle through trials, but God’s Grace sees us through to the other side. When we are building up the Church through our thoughts, words, and works, we are filled with the knowledge that we will be consoled... if not in this life, then in the next. Last but not least, when we walk in the fear of the Lord, we understand our every action should be done for God’s greater glory and to reflect His Goodness. If we have such an attitude, then we will strive to be holy because we do not want to disappoint our Heavenly Father.

Are we at peace with ourselves and our relationship with God? How can we build up the Church? Are we properly fearful of disappointing God?

O Lord, grow our faith.

Amen.

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.

Sixth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

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

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

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

O Lord, help us to persevere against all temptations.

Amen.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

We can’t continue to sin and have fellowship with God. We can’t be uncontrite and walk in the light. We need to admit we are sinners and amend our ways. Trying to hide them from God is like Adam and Eve hiding from Him in the Garden of Eden. God can see through the leaves and see the naked truth within us. Thankfully, He is a forgiving and merciful God and wants us to be cleansed of our sins and return to His side. So let us cast aside the darkness within us and choose to know, love, and serve God with all our hearts, minds, and strengths.

What darkness lives within us? How can we cast out the darkness and return completely to the light? How can we cultivate our fellowship with God and all His children?

O Lord, let us live in the light of your fellowship and mercy.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Thursday of Ordinary Time

In Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, Manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, Not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.

Here we have a description of the various traits of Wisdom and we would do well if we aligned our lives to manifest as many of these in our own lives. For God loves those who are wise. He wants us to be intelligent, holy, and unique in our faith. He wants us to be manifold by magnifying Him through our thoughts, words, and works. He wants us to be subtle in how we lead others to the truth. He wants us to be agile in our response to the needs of others and clear in our intentions. He wants us to remain unstained by sin and never baneful towards our enemies. He wants us to love the good. He wants us to be keen in mind and heart, unhampered by worries or doubts. He wants us to be beneficent and kindly. He wants us to be firm, secure, and tranquil in our hope. He wants us to believe He is All-Powerful, All-Seeing, and All-Present for us. This is a daunting task, but it is what we need to do if we want to be considered one of the wise and not one of the foolish.

Are we living up to our calling to be wise? How can we grow in our wisdom? Do we take time to gather the knowledge and understanding we need in order to form our consciences and become wise?

O Lord, make us into embodiments of your Wisdom.

Amen.

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

In a way, we are all like Paul in that we have been arrogant and sinned against God and others. Thankfully, God is merciful in spite of our failings and instead of condemning us, our Heavenly Father gives us every opportunity to turn our lives around. He might not knock us to the ground and show us visions as He did Paul, but God does nudge us every now and then in the right direction and whisper in our ears in hopes that we will listen. Our God treats us mercifully, strengthening us and pouring out His abundant graces so we might grow in faith and love. He wants us all to minister to Him and His children through thoughts, words, and works. He wants us to answer the call and accept our mission to be priests, prophets, and servant leaders for His people. And if we do this, then we like Paul will be considered a trustworthy servant and worthy of the Kingdom.

How can we overcome our arrogance and sins and turn our lives around? Are we willing to allow God to guide us to where we need to be and to what we need to be doing just as Paul did? What can we do to put ourselves into position to answer God’s call when it comes?

O Lord, we are grateful for the strength you’ve given us.

Amen.

Twelfth Monday of Ordinary Time

The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel, pitching his tent with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. He built an altar there to the LORD and invoked the LORD by name. Then Abram journeyed on by stages to the Negeb.

We should be building altars to God within our hearts just as Abram built altars in his own life. We should remember what God has done for us. We should remember to invoke God’s name in thanksgiving as well as supplication. And just like Abram, we shall continue our journey towards heaven in stages. The conversion of our hearts, minds, and souls usually happens in small steps along the narrow path, each step leading us closer to God and further along the way to holiness. Sometimes God may give us opportunities to grow in our faith and love by leaps and bounds, but other times we shall struggle inch-by-inch toward heaven with only hope keeping us going. However, as long as we keep our eyes on God and our thoughts, words, and works moving forward toward God, then we shall be given every grace we need to enter the Heavenly Kingdom through the narrow gate of Christ.

Have we made a spiritual altar within our hearts? In what ways do we give thanks to God for all He has done for us? How can we take the next step in our faith journey?

O Lord, may our hearts be an altar to you and our thoughts, words, and works a sacrifice of thanksgiving to you.

Amen.

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. 

If we want to have peace in our lives, even in the midst of trial and tribulation, then we need to place our trust and hope in God. It is from His Divine Love that we can draw our courage and strength. He gives the graces we need to be not afraid to do His Will. He is the root of our every consolation and virtue. He is the stream of living water which nourishes and sustains our spirits through good times and bad. He makes it possible for us to do what is right and bear good fruits even when we are suffering or being persecuted. With God’s Life within us, we grow in faith, hope, and love. He makes it possible for us to do His Will and do it wisely and well.

Do we truly trust in God or do we place our trust in ourselves? In what ways can we show to God that our hopes are in Him and not worldly things? How can we foster a spirit of trust within our faith lives?

O Lord, you are the root of all our faith and the seed of all our good works.

Amen.