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.

First Wednesday of Lent

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 

It can be difficult to have a steadfast spirit in the world. We are constantly tempted by sins, bombarded by distractions, and struggling with our weaknesses. It can be very spiritually draining to fight off these things over and over again, especially our bad habits. Evil thoughts can weigh our hearts down and lead us astray. However, the beautiful thing about being Christians is the knowledge that God wants to forgive us and will do everything He can to save us. He will grant us mercy and graces to help us overcome every spiritual obstacle. Through the sacraments, He renews our spiritual reserves and makes it possible for us to avoid sins, ignore distractions, and conquer our weaknesses. He will not spurn us if we come to Him.

What sins, distractions, and weaknesses do we need to overcome? How can we do so with the help of the sacraments? What can we do to help others to conquer their obstacles to holiness?

O Lord, create a clean heart within us and renew our spirits.

Amen.

Sixteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; if each of you deals justly with his neighbor; if you no longer oppress the resident alien, the orphan, and the widow; if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place, or follow strange gods to your own harm, will I remain with you in this place, in the land I gave your fathers long ago and forever.

We all need to reform our lives in some way. We all have weaknesses we need to strengthen, failings we need to fix, and bad habits we need to break. We have temptations we need to resist, false idols we need to destroy, and sins we need to atone for. We also have opportunities for good we need to take advantage of when they present themselves. Only when we do all these things can we hope to make our hearts a worthy place for the Lord.

In what ways do we need to reform our lives? What can we do to strengthen ourselves in faith, hope, and love? How can we place God more firmly into the center of our lives?

O Lord, help us to reform our ways and our deeds.

Amen.

Fifteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!

When we are face with trials, the metals of our souls are tested. Are our hearts strong like steel or rusted out by sin? Our faith needs to be firm if we want to be able to stand against the Devil and all his minions. Our hope has to be anchored in the harbor of our trust in the Lord if we want to withstand the storms of temptation that attack us. Our love must be hard as a diamond, unbreakable, even under the heat of our persecutors and pressures of the world. If there is any weakness in our spiritual lives, we must do everything we can to buttress ourselves against our failings and imperfections. We do this best through prayer, mortification, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist. Our enemies cannot harm our spirits if we place our whole trust in God. So let us be firm in our faith by placing the foundations of our lives on the solid rock that is our Lord and God.

Are our faith lives built upon the solid foundation of trust in God's Love, Mercy, and Grace? What can we do to rid ourselves of our weaknesses in body, mind, and spirit so we might become bastions of faith for the Lord? How can we learn to be more trusting of God's Divine Plan over our own?

O Lord, give us the strength to stand firm in our faith.

Amen.

Fourteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.

We disappoint God in many ways, through our failures to do good and our sins against Him and others. We turn our backs on Him in wickedness, indifference, and weakness. We fail Him when we let our fears, doubts, passions, and selfishness keep us from doing His Will. Thankfully, God is loving and forgiving. He is willing to look past our faults and give us many opportunities to confess our sins, do penance, choose what is right, and sin no more. He has pity on us and puts aside His righteous anger. As our Heavenly Father, he does not wish us to perish and so He opens His arms to us and says, "Come to me." It is up to us to accept this invitation and become faithful children.

In what ways are we disappointing God? How can we rid ourselves of those things that keep us from doing God's Will? What can we do to give thanks to God for His Divine Mercy?

O Lord, look past our faults and failings and help us to grow in grace and love.

Amen.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

No one is immune to suffering and weakness, especially the followers of Christ. As God tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” This revelation can be difficult to accept when we are going through trials and tribulations, mockery and persecution, and all manner of hardships. However, it is true. God’s Grace is always sufficient. He gives us exactly what we need to overcome our difficulties... perhaps not always in a physical way, but always in a spiritual one. At the same time, our weaknesses do indeed perfect our power, our gifts, and our talents because they remind us to be humble and depend upon God. Without our weaknesses, we would believe ourselves sufficient and turn away from God. And so, although we might not understand why a particular trouble should befall us, we should be able to understand our trials are not meant to break us, but to perfect us in faith, hope, and love.

What trials are we facing today? Have we called upon God’s Help in overcoming them? Are we willing to suffer them until the end of our days if doing so would be for the greatest service to God and others?

O Lord, your grace is truly sufficient for all of us.

Amen.

Eleventh Saturday in Ordinary Time

Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD, the people would not listen to their warnings. Then the Spirit of God possessed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest.
He took his stand above the people and said to them: "God says, 'Why are you transgressing the LORD's commands, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you.'

There are many ways in which we might transgress against God. We might let worldly distractions keep us from doing good. We might allow temptations to lead us into evil. We might become indifferent to the needs of others or lukewarm in our faith. Thankfully, God gives us every opportunity to make amends for our failings and sins. He sends us warnings through our own consciences, through the counsel of others, and in many other ways. He does not want us to abandon Him, but He will not force us to know, love, and serve Him and His children. It is up to us to choose to humble ourselves, ask for forgiveness, and do our penance.

In what ways do we transgress against God? How can we overcome these weaknesses and lean upon the strength of God? How can we amend our lives to become better Christians?

O Lord, convert my heart so that I might prosper.

Amen.

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything. He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’

In many ways we are blind and our blindness causes us to stumble into temptation, to fall into sin, and to overlook opportunities to do good. We might mean well, we might want to do good, we might hope for something better, but do not come to terms with our weaknesses. Perhaps we enjoy our little blind spots, our earthly pleasures, and don’t want to give them up. We think they are harmless, but no sin is harmless. Whether mortal or venial, they all wound ourselves and our relationship with God and His children. However, God does not leave us alone in our blindness. He is always with us, giving us life, breath, and everything good. He even gives us insights into ourselves through our consciences, showing us our weaknesses not because He wants to shame us, but because He loves us and wants us to do better. He wants us to be the best versions of ourselves. We cannot do that if we are worldly and love our sins more than Him. When we sin we are shadows of ourselves, we are empty, unfulfilled, but when we are holy, following the commandments, teachings, and inspirations of God... we truly live, moving in the Spirit, and thriving as good and faithful servants.

What are our spiritual blind spots? How can we address these areas of weakness and with the help of God overcome our temptations and sin no more? How can we become more faithful offspring in all we think, say, and do?

O Lord, in you we find our life, our purpose, and our being.

Amen.

Palm Sunday

“My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

How true Jesus’ words are of many of us. Our spirits may be willing to keep watch with Christ and do God’s Will, but our flesh is weak and we fall into indifference and sin. It is so easy for us to forget how much sorrow Jesus suffered for us and how much he sacrificed for our sins. We were not there at the agony in the garden, the trial of Jesus, his scourging, the carrying of the cross, the crucifixion, his slow death upon the cross, and his final breath. Because of this, we are more likely to focus our attention on the triumphs rather than the tribulations of our Lord and Savior. It is easier to celebrate Easter, then sacrifice for Lent. However, without the fasting, almsgiving, and prayer of Lent, we would not appreciate the glorious resurrection of Easter and the enkindling spirit of Pentecost.

Do we acknowledge the Passion and Death of Christ in our daily lives? How can we teach ourselves to remain with God, even in the midst of trials and sufferings? What can we do to make our spirit stronger than our flesh?

O Lord, wake us from our weaknesses and give us the strength to accept the cup of suffering you have prepared for us.

Amen.

Fourth Monday of Ordinary Time

Out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders. Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth. Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect.

We are all weak, but just like the prophets and apostles, if we place our trust in God, we can be made powerful. We can face our spiritual battles with confidence and turn back the temptations that assault us. We can withstand the mockery, persecution, and injuries that others cause us. We can even rise from the dead, knowing that God worked deeds great and small through us. We might not be seen as worth anything in the world. But if we keep the faith, then it will not be us who are unworthy of the world, but rather the world that is unworthy of us. For the heavenly things we will gain by leading Christ-like lives are far better than anything the world can offer us. They are worth more than fame, fortune, or any possession. The reward that waits for us is the Beatific Vision and a life everlasting with the God of Love.

What are our weaknesses? How can we let God transform them into strengths? How can we imitate the prophets, apostles, and more importantly Jesus in our everyday lives?

O Lord, forge our weakness into your strength.

Amen.

First Saturday of Ordinary Time

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

We all have weaknesses. We are all sinners. God knows we are not perfect and He does not expect us to be perfect. He knows what it is like to be human because he was made flesh through the Son. He knows our temptations, our worries, our insecurities, our misperceptions, and all the other things that can lead us to sin and imperfection. He knows what it’s like to be tested and so He is forgiving of our faults and constantly offering His Grace to us. He pours out His Divine Mercy on us so we might be made better Christians, more faithful servants, and more loving children. His Hand is always being offered to us. All we have to do is take it and let Him lift us up to stand among the saints.

What are our weaknesses? Do we pray to God to help us to overcome them? Are we just as forgiving and helpful to those who trespass against us as God is merciful toward us?

O Lord, we confidently approach your throne. Grant us your mercy and grace.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

No one who trusts in God will truly fail in life. We might suffer setbacks and be seen as failures in the eyes of the world, but God looks beyond the outcomes of our words and actions and to the effort and spirit within them. As long as we think, say, and do things for the right reasons, we shall not falter, nor grow weary, nor faint even if everything seems to be going against us. Every setback is an opportunity to show God what we are made of. Our faith and perseverance will be rewarded, if not in this life, then in the next, which lasts forever.

Do we face our failures with hopeful hearts? Are we unbowed by our setbacks? How can we turn our troubles into opportunities to show God our faith and perseverance?

O Lord, grant us wings to soar over all the obstacles in our way.

Amen.

Second Monday of Advent

Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

We all have weaknesses. Some of our weaknesses are in our bodies, others our minds, still others in our spirits. However, if we trust in God’s strength, then we shall have nothing to fear. Our weaknesses shall be fortified and we shall be able to overcome the trials before us. Perhaps not in the way we expected or planned, but in the way that is best for us. God will save us if we let Him. But we have to be open to His Will and accepting of His solutions. By doing so, we let Him into our hearts where He can do the most good for us. He can cure our blindness, physical, mental, and spiritual. He can heal our ears so that we can hear His guidance and inspiration. He can give us the confidence we need to take the leaps of faith that will lead us closer to Him and the voice we need to proclaim Him in word, prayer, and song.

What are our weaknesses? Do we pray to God for strength to overcome them? Do we thank Him for saving us from them when He does help us?

O Lord, you make us strong and fearless in our faith.

Amen.

The Third Thursday of Lent

When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Jesus’ love for us is stronger than any trials we will ever face in our lives. With him at our side nothing will conquer us. However, if we turn away from him and believe not in his strength, but in our own, then one day we will be scattered. In life, we shall face sufferings that reveal how weak we really are and if we do not accept Jesus into our hearts, then we shall experience true poverty. In death, we shall have everything we own stripped from us and distributed to others. How much easier will that day be for us if we have developed a spirit of holy detachment from all our possessions? We cannot take things with us, but we can take Christ with us wherever we go if we have made him the source, center, and summit of our lives. Then, as we stand before Paradise, Jesus will lift us up to our Heavenly Father as one of his faithful servants.

Do we admit our weaknesses and seek God’s strength? Are we possessed by our possessions or free of material attachments? Have we committed ourselves to gathering with Christ and having him as the heart of our lives?

O Lord, you are our strength.

Amen.