Third Sunday of Easter

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast.

In moments of crisis, we can be tempted to despair of or run away from our problems. We flee from suffering and disappointment just as the disciples did. We become blind to God’s presence in our lives and believe He has abandoned us. However, God will never abandon us. He is always with us, ready to open the Scriptures and reveal the wondrous graces of the Eucharistic Feast. He offers us comfort, wisdom, and love in order to give us everything we need to follow in Jesus Christ’s footsteps and travel the narrow path to Paradise. By remembering these things we will discover the Way to God to be able to point our feet in the right direction.

What can we do to gain the courage we need to stand with God during times of trial? Are we open to receiving the truths of the Scriptures and the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist? Are we willing to let God lead us where we need to be and not necessarily where I want to be?

O Lord, place our feet on the path to salvation.

Amen.

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

We can’t do everything. This is something we need to remember when we are trying to do God’s Will. Although it is good to do as much as we can, we also have to realize the limitations we have on our time, talents, and treasures. Some of us may be best suited to preaching, evangelizing, and proclaiming the Good News through words. Others may be better at serving others through acts of charity and mercy, ministering to the sick, the needy, and the imprisoned, and expressing the Gospels through good deeds. No matter which of these callings is for us, we need to be devoted to the tasks before us and live lives worthy of our vocation.

Are we being called to minister to others through word, deed, or both? How do our lives proclaim the Good News? How do we manifest the Word of God through our actions?

O Lord, lead us to the ministries that will fulfill your Divine Plan.

Amen.

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Suffering. We spend a lot of time avoiding it and yet there are some types of suffering we should gladly endure. We should be willing to suffer in order to know, love, and serve God and His children. We should be willing to suffer in order to do what is right and to resist temptation and sin. We should be willing to suffer in order to proclaim the Good News and give witness to our faith. We should be willing to suffer in order to defend life. We should be willing to suffer for the sake of being Christians. Yes, there is pain in suffering, but when we are wounded in the pursuit of God’s Will there is also joy.

Are we willing to suffer for God? What about suffering for our family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers? How can we learn to rejoice in the suffering that comes with doing what is right?

O Lord, we rejoice that you have found us worthy to suffer for the sake of your name.

Amen.

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

God is our master. Of that there should be no doubt. If the choice is between God and anything or anyone else, we must choose God. It is to Him that we owe our existence and it is to Him that we should give our obedience. Sometimes doing God’s Will means suffering for and dying to something. We might suffer for proclaiming the faith as the disciples did, doing good works, and giving witness to the Word of God. We might be called to die to our worldly possessions, our bodily passions, and our selfish inclinations. We might even be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice... laying down our lives for our family, friends, and neighbors. Thankfully, we do not have to do all these things alone. God has given us His Holy Spirit to enlighten, guide, and protect us so that we choose to obey Him above all.

Do we obey God to the best of our ability? If not, then how can we become better witnesses to the faith? What can we do to allow the Holy Spirit to think, speak, and work through us?

O Lord, we promise to obey you above all else.

Amen.

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.”

We will be opposed in this life. Whether it is opposition to the way we live, our personal convictions, or the creed we profess as Christians, there will always be those who will stand against us. Some might do so out of ignorance. Others out of malice or jealousy. No matter the reason, we must be willing to suffer their slings and arrows of our enemies and bear the standard of our Christian responsibilities and duties. We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated into silence or inaction. Instead, as the opposition in our lives grows, so must our faith in God’s Divine Plan, our hope in His Justice and Mercy, and our love of God and neighbor. Our rightful place is to go to where the people are and proclaim everything about the Good News of Christ’s life, passion, death, and resurrection.

Who are the people standing in the way of our faith? How can we come to love them enough to overcome their ignorance, malice, and jealousy? What are we doing to proclaim the Word of God right now?

O Lord, open the doors of our hearts that we might give witness to you.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.

Our opponent is the Devil. He is always on the lookout for our weaknesses and constantly tempting us to sin. This is why it's so important to be sober and vigilant and resist him. At the same time, we should understand that everyone in the world is undergoing the same trials and as such we should have compassion and patience toward our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. We need to imitate Jesus and be loving of all, even our enemies and pray that those around us do not fall prey to the Devil. We might indeed suffer for our faith and undergo many trials of our purity, hopefulness, and mercy, but we must make every effort to trust in God and allow Him to have dominion over us body, mind, and soul.

Are we resisting the Devil with all we have? How can we do a better job of allowing God's graces to support and sustain us through our trials? Are we allowing God to have dominion over us or are we seeking dominion over ourselves?

O Lord, make us sober, vigilant, and better able to resist temptations and imitate you.

Amen.

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

Paul writes these words to the Corinthians because some of them have started to doubt and deny the resurrection of the dead. They did not understand the need for a resurrected body. They preferred a purely spiritual afterlife to one that would mix perfect spirit and imperfect flesh. However, as Christians we do not see our bodies as evil. They were created good by God when He made Adam and Eve. Our corruption comes from original sin and the wounding of our ability to control our spiritual faculties, our intellect and our will. This injury opens us to temptation and inclines us to evil. But thankfully, this is not the end of the story. Jesus died not only to redeem us from death, but also grant us the saving grace that can heal the wounds of original and personal sin. He came into this world to sanctify the whole person, body and soul. It is not enough to control our lower passions, but give into our selfish intellectual or willful desires. We have to become like Christ in mind, body, and spirit or we shall discover that we are not wholly Christ’s disciples. This is why his resurrection and the revelation of his glorified body are so important. They remind us that we are called to tame both our body and our soul so that we might share in the glory of the resurrection.

What are we doing to sanctify our bodies’ senses and passions? How can we discipline our intellect and will so that they will be more Christ-like? Do we thank God each and every day for the saving graces He has granted us through the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Christ?

O Lord, through your resurrection you have saved us.

Amen.

Divine Mercy Sunday

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

Sometimes we can be afraid of what God is calling us to do. We try to hide ourselves away from the world or from God because we are anxious about the path that lies before us. The way ahead looks scary to us. We aren’t certain we can overcome all the obstacles in our way. Many times the destination is unknown or murky. We are faced with fears and doubts and choose to lock away our talents and treasures. Better to be safe than sorry. But if we want to be disciples of Christ, then we have to be open to him coming into our lives and sending us forth. We might not know how we will accomplish the mission he sends us on. However, if we allow his peace to be with us and trust that His Holy Spirit will always be by our side, then we have nothing to fear. We learn the important lesson that it is better to be saintly than sorry.

What are we afraid of? What is God asking us to do in our lives? How can we prepare ourselves to accept our calling with peace and joy?

O Lord, as your Heavenly Father sent you, so send us to where we are needed.

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.

Friday in the Octave of Easter

If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.

Jesus is the source of our salvation. His is the name implanted in our hearts. He is the stone upon which our faith is founded. All our good deeds find their source, center, and summit in him for He is good, like our Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit are good. It is through him that we are protected from temptation, healed of our sins, and become clean. And just as Peter proclaims him through word and deed, so should we give witness to our faith in him through all that we think, say, and do. He is our Master and Savior, we should live up to his Loving Way and be ever thankful for his Divine Mercy.

Do we say and do everything in the name of Jesus Christ? How can we imitate him in our own lives? In what ways do we thank him for his saving graces?

O Lord, you are our cornerstone, we will never reject you.

Amen.

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the times of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.

The call to repentance and conversion is a constant one in our lives. This is because Satan is relentless in his attacks against our spirits. The temptation to sin is a persistent challenge to us. We can only overcome the seductive song of sin by listening to God’s commandments, teachings, and inspirations. Our consciences must be attuned to hear the Word of God and not the babbling tongues of the world. We will not find refreshment or restoration in earthly things. Only heavenly ones can satisfy the longings of our hearts and lead us to eternal life.

Are we repentant for our sins? How can we be more deeply converted to the way of Christ? What can we do to realize the fulfillment of God’s Divine Plan for our lives?

O Lord, we repent of our sins and ask for you to grant us a deeper conversion.

Amen.

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.

When someone helps us, we ought to praise God for bringing that person into our lives. It isn’t an accident or coincidence that we meet helpful, loving, and merciful people in our lives. It is a God-instance. Every good we receive comes from God because He is the source of all good. No one can be good without Him. He inspires us to do what is right through the commandments of the Father, the teachings of the Son, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is why we too should jump up and praise Him when we are blessed in some way. Whether it is a great or small act of charity, a major or minor “miracle” in our lives, or a prayer answered, they all deserve an expression of our thanksgiving to God, our Good and Faithful Lord.

Do we praise God when others help us? Do we recognize Him as the source of all the good in our lives? How can we become living fonts of God’s Goodness?

O Lord, we praise you as the source of all goodness.

Amen.

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”

Repentance is a freeing act, not a punishment. True contrition releases us from the bonds of sin, transforms our minds and hearts, and leads us to holy and good lives. Whenever we repent, we renew our baptismal vows. We reject Satan, his works, and his vanities. We proclaim our belief in the Holy Trinity... God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We profess our faith in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We express our intention to live in accordance with the doctrines of Christ and his Church. We promise to avoid sin and to love God and neighbor with all our hearts. This we do with the help of the Holy Spirit, who is ever at our side and ready to give us every support in living out our baptismal promises and helping us to make amends whenever we fail to do so.

Are we truly repentant of our sins? How can we live out our baptismal promises more faithfully? Do we seek the aid, inspiration, and guidance of the Holy Spirit whenever we are faced with a choice between good and evil?

O Lord, we repent and turn our hearts to you.

Amen.

Monday in the Octave of Easter

Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.

We have all contributed to the death of Jesus in one way or another. No one, except Mary is blameless for Christ’s Passion and Death. We have all sinned in great and small ways and each of those failings have added to the burden of the cross. We know of Jesus’ mighty deeds, wonders, and signs through the scriptures and the traditions of the Church, and yet we still fall into temptation and sin. We might wonder how others could’ve put Jesus to death, but we do so ourselves when we choose what is wrong over what is right. However, like the children of Israel, we are given a chance to recognize our sins, confess them, and repent. When Jesus rose from the dead, he brought us the Holy Spirit and a new opportunity to do God’s Will over our own. It is up to us to accept this chance at a new life and then live it to the best of our abilities.

In what ways have we contributed to the death of Jesus? How can we make amends for our failings? What can we do to both celebrate and live out the promise of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead?

O Lord, raise us up from the death of sin into the new life of the risen Christ.

Amen.

Easter

Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

After being told by an angel that Jesus has risen, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary rush off to bear the good news of the resurrection to the other disciples. They were overjoyed with the idea that Jesus was alive, yet fearful, too. Why were they afraid? They were bearing a message that might not be readily accepted by the disciples. After all, who would believe such a miracle after the sufferings of the last three days? They feared the doubt the disciples might express. They feared the are-you-crazy looks they might receive from the others. Similarly, when something happens to us that changes our lives in a fundamental way, it can be both amazing and frightening at the same time. We cross a threshold, we die to our former selves and enter into a new life. Whether it be changing jobs, moving, welcoming a child into the world, deciding on a vocation... all these things bring with them conflicting emotions. However, what Jesus told both Marys holds true for us. As long as what we are doing is out of love of God and His children, then we do not need to be afraid. We should instead, go tell others what has happened and meet Christ where he is calling us to be.

Are we bearing the good news of Christ’s resurrection to the world around us? How can we overcome our fears and focus on the joy of doing God’s Will? Are we willing to meet God where He is calling us?

O Lord, we will follow you to where you are calling us.

Amen.

Holy Saturday

If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

To become better followers of Christ, we must do two things. We must die to sin and live for God. The former requires us to be able to resist temptation and sin no more. If we do sin, then we need to reconcile with God through the sacrament of confession. We need to bring ourselves before our Savior, seek his forgiveness with contrite hearts, and do penance for what we have done and failed to do. The second part of the equation requires us to know, love, and serve God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. To do this we need to imitate Christ in all things and become living sacrifices, pouring ourselves out in acts of charity and mercy just as Jesus did in his most holy life. Once we do both these things we will discover that our thoughts, words, and works bear good fruit and death loses its power over us, becoming instead a doorway to an abundant afterlife with God.

Have we died to our sins? Are we living for God? How can we become more Christ-like in everything we think, say, and do?

O Lord, we want to die to sin so that we might live for and with you forever.

Amen.

Good Friday

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.

Jesus came into this world to make amends between us and God. We could not do that ourselves because our sins are measured by the one offended and God is infinite. As such, no matter how small our sin, we give immeasurable offense to the person of God. This is why only Jesus can save us from the punishment that is rightfully ours to bear. This is because just as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are infinite, so too is Jesus and his sacrifice for us. Only Christ could take upon himself all our guilt and cleanse us of our sins. We would do well to remember the sufferings he endured for us and seek to imitate Jesus’ willingness to become a living sacrifice for others. To forgive those who trespass against us, to love our enemies as well as our friends, and to pour out our lives for the salvation of souls.

Do we meditate upon the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus? Are we willing to amend our lives so that we do not add to the sufferings of Christ? How can we imitate Jesus in the way we treat those who sin against us?

O Lord, we are sorry for crushing you with our sins and grateful for your forgiveness of our offenses.

Amen.

Holy Thursday

This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight. It is the Passover of the LORD. For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn of the land, both man and beast, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the LORD! But the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.

What sets us apart from worldly people is our disentanglement from people, places, and things in favor of a holy attachment to God. This detachment does not mean cold-hearted indifference to others, but rather a willingness to sacrifice everything we hold dear in order to do God’s Will. It is this sacrificial spirit that makes us true disciples of Christ. Just as he offered himself up for us, so we offer ourselves up for the glory of God, the reparation of sins, the conversion of sinners, and the salvation of souls. Our participation in the Eucharistic celebration at mass prepares us for the long road of holy surrender that we must all walk. Our reception of the Body and Blood of Christ marks us as the sons and daughters of God and co-heirs of the Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. When accepted with humble and contrite hearts, the Blessed Sacrament brings us life and protects us from death.

Are we detached from the world? Are we attached to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Do we mark ourselves as Christians through the passionate celebration and humble reception of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior?

O Lord, your Eucharistic feast is our sustenance and shield.

Amen.

Wednesday of Holy Week

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

Becoming a good and faithful servant to God and His children requires us to train our tongues to speak the truth, to inspire others, and to be charitable in our speech. To train our ears to listen to our consciences and the needs of others. To train our wills to be obedient to God, to avoid temptation, and to sin no more. To train our spirits to be humble, patient, and forgiving. All of these things require constant work on our part. They ask us to sacrifice our selfish desires and learn to put God and others before ourselves.

How can we train our tongues to speak with God’s love? How can we train our ears to listen with God’s Mercy? How can we train our wills and spirits to bear any burden for God?

O Lord, give us the graces we need to become good and faithful servants.

Amen.

Tuesday of Holy Week

Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God. For now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!

Sometimes we can feel frustrated with our lives. We can feel like nothing is going our way or that all our work is for nothing. We can feel exhausted with the effort to keep up with everything we are juggling. Family, friends, work, faith. All demanding our attention, our energy, our time. However, if we are good and faithful servants and place our trust in the Lord, then He will repay us for our toils. He will reward us for our sacrifices and console us in our sorrows. He will gather us to Himself and lift us up to heaven where we will be made glorious in the sight of the Lord.

What are we frustrated about? How can we turn our frustrations into moments of faith, hope, and love? How can we learn to trust that God will provide us with the graces we need to overcome every obstacle in our lives?

O Lord, our recompense is with you and no worldly thing.

Amen.

Monday of Holy Week

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

Being a servant of God doesn’t mean we have to cry out, or shout, or make a racket on the street. We can proclaim the Gospels just as well through quiet lives of faith, hope, and love. We can make known the Good News by being just in our actions, merciful to those in need of forgiveness, and compassionate to those who are suffering. We can give witness to and share our faith by living out our vocation to love God and His children with all our hearts, minds, and strengths. We can become true disciples of Christ by our good deeds, great and small. We can teach the Truth, show the Way, and live the Life by humbly following in Jesus’ footsteps. If we do all these things, then we shall do our part in establishing justice on earth.

Do we bring justice to all whom we meet? Are we merciful and compassionate to those who are bruised and weakened by sin and circumstance? How do our lives proclaim the Word of God Made Flesh?

O Lord, we are your servants, uphold us and put your Spirit within us.

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.

Fifth Saturday of Lent

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

God wants to make a covenant of peace with all of us. This is not necessarily a covenant of outward calm, but rather inner peace. It is the tranquility that comes from being in harmony with the Will of God. When we align ourselves with God’s Divine Plan and live holy lives, then it doesn’t matter what problems we are facing. Trials and tribulations can swirl around us, but in our hearts will be a serenity untouched by doubts, worries, or temptations. When our inmost being is made into a sacred sanctuary to God, then He can dwell within us and make us into His people. He will rule over us, teach us, and guide us so that we might prosper and be at peace even in the midst of all our troubles.

Are we open to making the sacrifices we need to in order to enter into a covenant of peace with God? How can we make our hearts and minds into sanctuaries where God can live and make us holy? What can we do to align ourselves more perfectly with God’s Will?

O Lord, we ask you to make a covenant of peace with us.

Amen.

Fifth Friday of Lent

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

God is our champion. He will help us overcome every obstacle and rescue us from every trial through His Love, Mercy, and Grace. He is constantly watching over us and protecting us from evil. He will never abandon us. He may allow us to be tested and our hearts and minds probed, but He does so because of free will. He will not force us or others to sing His praises and as such evil creeps into the world through our sins and in turn we find ourselves persecuted by others and challenged by circumstances beyond our control. However, God is with us... always at our side to lift us up when we fall on hard times and rescue us from the power of the wicked.

Do we turn to God when we are faced with difficulties in our lives? Do we trust that God will protect us from our foes and save us from our trials? In what ways do we sing to God and praise Him for the good He has done for us?

O Lord, our mighty champion, rescue our poor lives.

Amen.

Fifth Thursday of Lent

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

Our relationship with God is covenantal. It is a solemn agreement to accept God as our Heavenly Father, Sibling Savior, and Holy Spirit and to know, love, and serve Him and His children with all our being. In return for this, God promises to love us as His sons and daughters and protect us from evil. He promises to teach us the truth, show us the way, and lead us to life everlasting. He promises to enkindle the fires of our hearts, to inspire us, and lead us to holiness. We are His children and He is our Heavenly Father. We are His brothers and sisters and He is our Sibling Savior. We are His spiritual spouses and He is our Holy Spirit. Together we can do all things. Together we can move mountains and give light to the whole world.

Have we accepted God as our Heavenly Father, Sibling Savior, and Spiritual Spouse? How can we keep God’s covenant ever in our hearts and minds? What can we do to show God that we want to be united to Him through the New Covenant?

O Lord, we shall keep your covenant throughout our lives.

Amen.

Fifth Wednesday of Lent

Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”

Standing up for what we believe in can be very difficult, especially when someone with authority over us pressures us to do something we don’t agree with. Sometimes we are asked to do things that go against our faith and morals in order to avoid a confrontation with others or receive some worldly gain. However, no matter who might tempt us to sin, what rewards they might offer to us for doing evil, or threats they might make against us if we do not do as they wish... we must stand for what is right. Perhaps the person tempting us needs to see our courage in order to change their ways as Nebuchadnezzar did after witnessing the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. No matter what happens, if we are willing to yield up our bodies, wealth, fame, success, etc. rather than to turn our backs on God, then He shall reward us a thousand fold for our sufferings. He doesn’t abandon those who refuse to abandon Him.

Are we willing to stand up for our faith, even in the face of those who have authority over us? What sacrifices is God asking of us? How can we become a sign of God’s Power and Glory even to those who would persecute us?

O Lord, we would rather yield our bodies than to serve or worship anyone, but you.

Amen.

Fifth Tuesday of Lent

“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents away from us.”

When things don’t go our way, we are tempted to complain. Why couldn’t God help me? Why didn’t He give me what I wanted when I wanted it? Why do I have to suffer this or that? However, these questions are poisonous to our hearts, minds, and souls. They turn us against God through unrealistic and unfair demands. God is not with us to cater to our every want and desire. He knows far better than us what will do us good and what will harm us. What we want and what we truly need can be complete opposites. Some of us require reminders of our place in the world. Our pride can blind us and God sends trials to us to open our eyes. Others suffer not because of something they’ve done wrong, but because God knows their response will be Christ-like and deepen their faith in ways that could not happen if their lives were all sunshine and happiness. God knows what each of us can beat. He never gives us more than we can handle. We might not like what He is asking of us, but it doesn’t mean His Divine Plan is unfair. His Will is just, loving, and merciful and will forge us into good and faithful servants if we will allow it to do so.

Have we ever felt disgusted with our lot in life and complained to God? How can we learn to embrace what we are going through, even the sufferings, and do God’s Will? What can we do to build up the virtue of fortitude in our faith even during times of trial?

O Lord, take away the poisonous complaints that find their way onto our lips and make us into a persevering people.

Amen.

Fifth Monday of Lent

“I am completely trapped,” Susanna groaned. “If I yield, it will be my death; if I refuse, I cannot escape your power. Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord.”

Although we might never find ourselves in such a situation as Susanna, we have all been placed into positions where we must choose between doing the right thing and suffering greatly or doing the wrong thing and suffering less (or even escaping “unscathed”). However, if we are true followers of Christ, then the choice is clear. We will choose suffering and death over the compromising of our conscience. No violence done to our persons could ever warrant giving into sin. We always have the ability to say no to evil. It may not be easy, it may cost us dearly, but in the end it is what Jesus would do if faced with the same decision. It is when our faith is most difficult to live by that we discover whether we truly believe or if we are merely acting. Hopefully, we shall discover sincerity in our proclamation of love of God and neighbor. But if we do fail, then we must make every effort to seek reconciliation, amend our lives, and sin no more.

How can we prepare ourselves to make the right choice? How can we resist the temptation to give into sin? Are we willing to suffer like Christ in order to do good and avoid evil?

O Lord, free us from the traps that seek to ensnare us in sin.

Amen.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

In Jewish tradition, the soul departed from the body after three days. No one expected Jesus to raise Lazarus at this point. He was in essence too far gone. Perhaps if Jesus arrived earlier he could have made a difference. We have a tendency to limit God. He can’t possibly help us with this or that difficulty. He wouldn’t be interested in our problems when there are so many more pressing matters in the world. However, we need to remember that God is always listening. If we trust in Him, then He will protect, guide, and strengthen us through ever trial. But most importantly, we must be open to doing whatever He asks us to do no matter how impossible it might seem. With God on our side all things are possible... even life after death.

Are we willing to trust God even when we feel like nothing can help us? Do we believe in God enough to be patient with the timeline of His Divine Plan rather than our own? How do we thank God for hearing our prayers and answering them in ways more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

O Lord, take away the stones that block our hearts from hearing your call to trust in you and your will.

Amen.

Fourth Saturday of Lent

Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: “Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will be spoken no more.” But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge, searcher of mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!

Once again the scripture passage deals with the persecution of those who follow God’s Will. However, it makes clear that vengeance upon our persecutors is God’s alone. We are not called to repay mistreatment with mistreatment, but rather with love. We are not called to judge and condemn others, but rather to be merciful. God knows the just punishment for all sins (those done by and to us). We need to entrust our cause to Him and let Him protect us and take righteous retribution on those who have harmed us in body, mind, or heart. God will provide us with the justice we seek. We do not need to take it into our own hands.

How can we resist the temptation to retaliate against those who have harmed us? What can we do to foster the habit of being merciful to those who persecute us? Are we willing to entrust our cause to God?

O Lord, give us the patience we need to trust in your protection.

Amen.