Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Thirtieth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.”

Whatever we might suffer in this life is as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us in the afterlife. We might suffer greatly in this life from physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual trials and tribulations, but if we believe in the promises God has made us through Jesus Christ, then none of them are more than an a minor annoyance. This is because all our earthly fears, doubts, worries, anxieties, obstacles, difficulties, etc. that we suffer in this life are impermanent and passing away. They are as fleeting as lightning. They come and go, but the glory and love of God is forever. Sometimes this promise of future good is hard to keep in mind, especially when we are in the midst of a crisis, but it is something we need to hold onto... like a candle in the darkness, lighting your way forward one step at a time.

Are we willing to accept the sufferings that come along with doing God’s Will? How can we put our trials into perspective with what God has done for us? What can we do to help God release us from our slavery to sin so that we can be truly free?

O Lord, our sufferings are as nothing when we consider the good you have done us.

Amen.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Thirtieth Monday of Ordinary Time

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

As Christians, our relationship with God is more than just Creator and created, but Father and child. As long as we accept our dependence upon God and join our sufferings with Christ, then we are co-heirs to His Kingdom. By living Christ-like lives, we cast off the spirit of slavery to sin and receive the spirit of adoption by our Heavenly Father, who knows, loves, and protects us as His Own Beloved Son. However, being co-heirs with Christ doesn’t mean we won’t be faced with trials and sufferings. Instead, it means embracing our troubles out of love for God and a desire to do everything we can to make our Father proud of us. It means being willing to sacrifice ourselves to do God’s Will so that we might be glorified through glorifying Him.

Do we take seriously our relationship with our Heavenly Father? What do we do to prove our faith in, hope in, and love of God? How can we live out our calling to be co-heirs to the Kingdom?

O Lord, you are our Father and our hope.

Amen.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Love stands at the center of all the commandments from the Old to the New Testament. This single virtue gives life to our faith and expression to our hope. It also reminds us of how interdependent we all are on God and each other. Love finds its fulfillment in others. Sure we can and should love ourselves (after all God loves us!), but we can’t experience the fullness of what it means to love without feeling affection for someone else. Our love of God comes from our hearts, souls, and minds and because God is infinite we must love Him with everything we are. Our love of neighbors, on the other hand, mirrors our love of self and comes second to our love of God and flows out from this love. The greatest thing about this virtue is the more we give love to God and others, the more we receive for ourselves.

Do we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds? Do we love others as we love ourselves? How can we grow in love and live out these commandments more perfectly?

O Lord, help us to love you and others with everything we are and ever will be.

Amen.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Just as the Heavens are constantly declaring the glory of God, so we on earth should be doing the same. We can do this in many different ways… through prayers, acts of charity and mercy, and mortification and sacrifice. We can proclaim God’s handiwork through our own good works. There is much we can do to glorify God in our daily lives. We just have to be open imitating the angels and saints in heaven and making God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace known to all whom we meet each day.

How can we better declare the glory of God to others? What can we do to make God’s Glory manifest in the world? Are we doing what we can to spread the Good News to all the earth?

O Lord, make use good and faithful messengers of your glory.

Amen.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Twenty-Ninth Friday of Ordinary Time

The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

How true these words are for many of us! We know what is right. We believe it. We want to do good and avoid evil. And yet, we fall into sin time and time again. We have our faults and imperfections and temptations that lead us astray. We run away from the good because it challenges us to change ourselves and run toward the evil that is easy. How often do we intend to do some good and then talk ourselves out of it? We make excuses for ourselves and come up with all manner of escape clauses for what we know is good. Yes, we know right from wrong, but between knowing and doing is a vast chasm that can only be crossed by faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior, and total dependence upon God. And it is up to us to translate our interior desires for holiness and righteousness into exterior acts of charity and mercy and holiness.

How can we conform ourselves to what we know is right and good? What can we do to resist the temptations to sin? How can we put the law of our minds and hearts in charge of our thoughts, words, and works?

O Lord, free us from the law of sin so we can do the good we want and avoid the evil we do not want.

Amen.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Twenty-Ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sin can be alluring in many ways, but it leaves a bad aftertaste. It leaves us weakened, empty, and ashamed. It disfigures us, marring our bodies, minds, and hearts. It hobbles and binds us, restricting our ability to do good and avoid evil. It turns us into slaves of our lesser passions and selfish instincts. Ultimately, sin leads to death. However, God offers us the gift of sanctification, which strengths, fulfills, and encourages us. It restores the image of God that is within each of us and marks us as co-heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. The saving graces He provides us through the sacraments, free us from our slavery to sin and offer us the chance to turn our lives over to God. We are given the choice to take up the yoke of our faith and carry it without complaint. And if we do this with hope and love, then we shall be given the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer.

What sins do we find ourselves drawn to the most? How can we learn to resist the temptations to those sins and become obedient servants to God? Are we willing to accept the cross that leads to eternal life?

O Lord, we are your slaves. Do with us as you will.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Twenty-Ninth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.

Every day we are tempted to obey our desires over what we know is right. Some days we have the willpower to resist. Other days we fall into temptation and sin. Thankfully, although we fall, we are also given a way to rise up again. Through the life, death, passion, and resurrection of Jesus, we were all given a chance at eternal life and use our bodies as weapons for righteousness. We have only to choose to obey God’s Will above our own and allow Him to lead us where we need to be. We might not follow in Jesus’ footsteps perfectly, but as long as we are contrite for our sins and genuinely wish to amend our lives, then God will find us and lead us back to the right path.

What desires do we obey before God? How can we put God before these wants? What can we do to sharpen our consciences and transform ourselves into weapons of righteousness?

O Lord, we present our bodies to you. Do with them what you will.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Twenty-Ninth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

If by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.

One person can make a huge difference in this world. We can lead others to destruction or salvation. We all have the ability to influence others for good or evil. It is up to us to make the choices that lead to grace and goodness. We do this best when we imitate Christ in our thoughts, words, and works. Our lives should overflow with righteousness and good works. We should make God present in the world by being God-bearers in all we do.

Do we appreciate how much God has done for us through His Beloved Son, Jesus? How can we imitate Christ in our daily lives? What can we do to make a difference in the world for the better?

O Lord, help us to lead others to your Way, Truth, and Life.

Amen.

Monday, October 23, 2017

Twenty-Ninth Monday of Ordinary Time

Abraham did not doubt God's promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what God had promised he was also able to do. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness. But it was not for him alone that it was written that it was credited to him; it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification.

We should never doubt God’s promises, nor His Love for us. He will give us everything we need and empower us by faith so we can do good and avoid evil. Every day, He offers us the materials to build up our confidence in Him and make ourselves into temples of righteousness. God handed His Beloved Son over to death for our transgressions not to condemn us, but to raise us from the death of sin to the eternal life of justification through Christ. We might not always understand what God is asking of us, nor how we might accomplish His Will, but our Heavenly Father will never abandon us. And hopefully, we shall not abandon Him, but rather give glory to Him and trust He will provide all we need.

Do we truly believe in what God has promised us through baptism, namely salvation? How can we use what God has given us to build up our confidence in Him? In what ways can we give thanks to God for the justification He has offered us through the life, passion, death, and resurrection of His Son?

O Lord, empower us by faith.

Amen.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

We have both worldly and heavenly responsibilities in our lives. We have responsibilities to our families, our friends, our neighborhoods, our states, our country, and our world. These include doing things we might not want to do, but ought to do out of respect for others. It also consists of repaying others for the goods they’ve done for us. Similarly, we have a responsibility to repay to God what belongs to Him, namely our faith and good works. Through baptism God has placed an indelible mark upon our souls that reinforces the Image of God that is imprinted in all our souls at the moment of creation. It reminds us all that we belong to God. We are His and to Him we must return to be judged and hopefully to be called His good and faithful servants.

Are we meeting both our worldly and heavenly responsibilities? How can we repay God for all the goods He has done for us? What can we do to deepen and ingrain the Divine Image of God within us so that we are more perfect signs of God’s Goodness?

O Lord, help us to meet our responsibilities to you first and then to the world around us.

Amen.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Twenty-Eighth Saturday of Ordinary Time

It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations.

Righteousness comes from faith and is a gift given to us by God. This is why it is so important for us to pray from the gift of righteousness. We can’t do good and avoid evil without God’s Grace. We need His help in our every decision in life so we can discern what is wrong and right. When we live our lives by faith, our consciences are divinely inspired through the Holy Spirit and we are better able to follow God’s Commandments both old and new. In addition, placing faith at the center of our lives gives us a firm foundation to build off of as we construct our lives in accordance with the Way, Truth, and Life that Jesus taught us.

How can we grow in our faith? In what ways can we align our lives with the commandments of God the Father, the teachings of God the Son, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit? How can we inform and exercise our consciences so that we grow in grace?

O Lord, grant us faith and righteousness.

Amen.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Twenty-Eighth Friday of Ordinary Time

Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. A worker's wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.  So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.

Believing in God’s Plan for us and following His Will lead to righteousness. Each time we choose to believe, we are credited and given the graces we need to fulfill our calling and perform our good works. Our faith leads to good works because it provides us with the perfect models of what it means to align our lives with God’s Providence. Both Jesus and Mary show us how to be righteous in our thoughts, words, and works. They are embodiments of love, mercy, and grace, ever-flowing with acts of charity and forgiveness. By conforming our lives to theirs, we grow in wisdom and the favor of God, becoming blessed in His eyes. By putting on Christ and imitating Mary, our iniquities are forgiven and our sins forgotten by our Heavenly Father, who sees them alive within us when we embrace our vocation to love Him with all our minds, hearts, and strengths and our neighbors as He loves them.

Do we believe in God’s Plan for us? How can we do a better job of following the vocation God has prepared for us? What can we do to conform our lives to God’s righteousness?

O Lord, we believe in your Divine Providence.

Amen.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, through the forbearance of God to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

Jesus is our bridge from earth to heaven. It is through him that we are all redeemed from our sins and given a chance to live with God in heaven. Christ is righteousness made manifest and if we want to live holy and good lives, then we must do everything in our power to imitate him in thought, word, and work. His Truth gives us a guide to being authentic people. His Life gives us a blueprint on how to live our lives. His Way gives us a roadmap to heaven. We are justified by the saving graces Jesus purchased for us through his Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It is through our witness to our faith and our sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ that we participate in the righteousness, love, and mercy that flows from Jesus’ wounds.

Do we recognize ourselves as sinner? Do we come before God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and seek to make amends for our failings by imitating Jesus? In what ways can we follow in Christ’s footsteps and manifest righteousness?

O Lord, you are the source of all righteousness.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

Sometimes we can forget the saints lived regular lives, just like us. They had friends and enemies and weren’t saints from the start, but rather became saints by how they dealt with their trials in this life and treated others. They experienced abandonment, betrayal, and harm. They also received support and help. The way they got through the ups and downs of their lives is the same way we do. They put their trust in the Lord and allowed Him to lend them strength. They proclaimed the Gospels through thoughts, words, and works so all could hear and witness the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ through them. It was not easy and required many sacrifices, but in the end they understood it was only by walking in the footsteps of Jesus that they could arrive at the Promised Land.

Who are our friends and enemies? Do we treat them as Jesus would? Do we trust God to give us the strength we need to overcome all our trials?

O Lord, give me the strength to proclaim your Good News through my every thought, word, and work.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

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

We should not be ashamed of our faith. Our faith asks us to make many sacrifices that worldly people don’t understand. It asks us to put our passions in check and reign in our desires. It asks us to be counter-cultural in our choice of virtues over vices. It asks us to do good, even to our enemies. It asks us to remain pure in a world with so many opportunities to be impure. It asks us to place our trust in God and not ourselves or anyone or anything else. It asks us to praise and worship God and turn our backs on all those things we are tempted to idolize. It asks us to choose a life of service and love of God and His children over a life of self-interest. It asks us to be righteous in a world that preaches an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Most of all, it asks us to live by faith, hope, and love, rather than pride, envy, and wrath.

Are we doing all we can to answer God’s call to righteousness? How can we live out our faith more authentically? What can we do to become fonts of faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, we ask you to help us to grow in righteousness.

Amen.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Twenty-Eighth Monday of Ordinary Time

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an Apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the Gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are all called to be slaves of Christ. It is only by turning our lives over completely to God the Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirit that we can experience true freedom. Giving our total obedience to the Holy Trinity and trusting in God’s Divine Providence is something we all must do if we want to live out the Gospel message and give witness to the Christ-like life. Just as Jesus was obedient to the point of death on a cross, so too must we be obedient even to the point of being persecuted for our faith. We might not die as the Son of God did, but we might experience many smaller deaths... to selfishness, to opportunities for worldly advancement, to our relationships with those who might lead us away from God, to earthly riches and success. However, these deaths when united with Christ’s Passion and Death can bring about great good in our lives and lead us to eternal life with our loving God.

Are we willing to become slaves of Christ? How can we live our lives in total obedience and trust in God? Are we willing to die in great and small ways in order to live forever with the Holy Trinity in Heaven?

O Lord, we place our obedience and trust in you, our Divine Master.

Amen.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.'

We are all invited to the banquets of communion and eternal life. Both the sacrament and the afterlife are intrinsically tied to each other. The Holy Feast of the Blessed Sacrament prefigures the Heavenly Banquet of Life in Paradise. God wants all of us to come, whether good or bad, and to celebrate with His Son. All He asks is that we accept the invitation and prepare ourselves to attend. There are many temptations in this world that can keep us from accepting God’s call to join Him. We can become busy in worldly pursuits or enamored with mortal sins. He also requires that we prepare ourselves for the banquets of communion and eternal life by leading holy lives doing good and avoiding evil. He wants us to put our best foot forward in this life and come to the feast clothed in virtue.

How do we accept God’s invitation to the Eucharistic Feast? How are we preparing ourselves for the Heavenly Banquet? What can we do to avoid the temptations of the world that might lead us to declining God’s call or not preparing ourselves for these feasts?

O Lord, we accept your invitation and shall cloth ourselves in holiness.

Amen.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Twenty-Seventh Saturday of Ordinary Time

For near is the day of the LORD in the valley of decision. Sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness. The LORD roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem raises his voice; The heavens and the earth quake, but the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the children of Israel.

It is important for us to live our lives as if the day of the Lord is near. We never know when our time on this earth will end. Some live long lives, others short ones. There are no guarantees we will have a tomorrow to make amends for our sins or to do the good we are called to do. However, if we take refuge in the Lord each and every day, through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, through acts of charity and mercy, and through the resistance of temptation, then we shall be able to stand against evil and choose good above all.

Do we live our lives as if we might die or Christ might return at any moment? How can we live in anticipation of the second coming? In what ways do we seek refuge in God?

O Lord, help us make the right decisions. The ones that will lead us closer to you.

Amen.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Twenty-Seventh Friday of Ordinary Time

Gird yourselves and weep, O priests! wail, O ministers of the altar! Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! The house of your God is deprived of offering and libation. Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, Into the house of the LORD, your God, and cry to the LORD!

We are all called to live lives of repentance. None of us is perfect. We all sin in one way or another. Some of us are prideful, others envious. Some wrathful, others lustful. Some greedy, others slothful or gluttonous. And because of our failings, we are asked to make amends for our sins through the sacrament of reconciliation. We gird ourselves with contrition. We weep for mercy. We wail before the altar, “Please forgive us, O Lord.” We might not spend nights in sackcloth like our ancestors, but we should spend nights asking for God’s Mercy on us. We should fast and assemble with other people, seeking absolution as both individuals and as a community of believers. Then, and only then, can we be cleansed of our sins and become truly holy people.

What sins do we struggle with most? Do we pray to God to help us overcome our sins and do our best to avoid them? How do we prepare ourselves to make a good confession so that we can be reconciled with God?

O Lord, we cry out for your forgiveness and mercy.

Amen.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Twenty-Seventh Thursday of Ordinary Time

Then they who fear the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened attentively; And a record book was written before him of those who fear the LORD and trust in his name. And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my own special possession, on the day I take action. And I will have compassion on them, as a man has compassion on his son who serves him.

Fear of the Lord is not about being afraid of God’s wrath, but rather is about not wanting to disappoint God because we love Him and He loves us. If we fear the Lord properly, then we do good and avoid evil not for the rewards or because of the threat of punishment, but rather out of respect for God’s Will and love for our Creator. Additionally, if our fear is founded on love, then we don’t become jealous of those worldly people who do well or despair when we undergo some suffering. Instead, we trust in God’s Mercy and Justice. We understand failure and suffering in this life can be redemptive and lead to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

Is our fear of the Lord founded on love and respect rather than dread of punishment? Are we willing to suffer in this life so that we might prosper in the next? Do we trust in God’s Mercy and Justice?

O Lord, we love you, make us yours.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Twenty-Seventh Wednesday of Ordinary Time

"Have you reason to be angry over the plant?" "I have reason to be angry," Jonah answered, "angry enough to die." Then the LORD said, "You are concerned over the plant which cost you no labor and which you did not raise; it came up in one night and in one night it perished. And should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?

Our own sufferings can sometimes cause us to lose sight of the big picture. We see something good taken away from us... a loved one, our health, our job, etc. and we get angry at God. We ask Him, “How could you do this to me?” Or we complain that we’ve done everything He’s asked and we’re still no better off or even worse off. We think God is a miracle dispenser and wonder why He’s not giving us what we want after we’ve “paid” him in fasting, almsgiving, or prayers. However, God isn’t some magical vending machine dispensing good things to us after we pay Him in some way. Rather, He gives freely and in accord with our needs and His Divine Plan. He does everything for a reason, but not necessarily in the ways we want. What He gives us isn’t ours. The graces, gifts, and goods of our lives are on loan to us and when they are taken away we shouldn’t complain. Instead, we should thank God for the time we had with what He gave us and express our trust that He has taken away what we had for our betterment. With this type of approach, we can better let go and let God in all things.

Is there something we are angry with God about? How can we prepare ourselves better for those times when we are tempted to complain to God? How can we avoid being like Jonah and being concerned only for ourselves?

O Lord, help us to keep in mind the big picture.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Twenty-Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time

"Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish." When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.

Acts of repentance both cleanse and renew us spiritually. Through fasting, almsgiving, and praying we show God we are serious about changing our lives and making amends. By turning our back on our evil ways and denying temptations, we choose the better life over the easier one. When we sin, we either repent or harden our hearts. The former leads to forgiveness and everlasting life, while the latter leads to death and damnation. It might not be easy to turn from our evil ways, but it is necessary if we want to live and spend eternity with God in the Heavenly Kingdom. Thankfully, God is loving and merciful and more than willing to forgive us as many times as it takes for us to finally convert our hearts and do God’s Will always and in every way.

What do we need to repent for? How can we show God the sincerity of our repentance? Can we convert our hearts to what is right in the face of our temptations?

O Lord, help us to turn away from our evil ways and follow you.

Amen.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Twenty-Seventh Monday of Ordinary Time

"Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it; their wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the LORD. He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and went aboard to journey with them to Tarshish, away from the LORD.

Sometimes we are afraid of what God is asking us to do and we run away from our calling. We might do so out of fear or selfishness or any number of reasons, but in the end we flee. However, God doesn’t ask us to do anything without giving us every opportunity and grace we need to succeed. Often, when we run away, God gives us another chance to make things right. He asks us to take that leap of faith and trust we won’t drown. He will send us the help we need to arrive where we need to be in order to do what God wants to be done. We can try running away as much as we want, but in the end we will find our way back before our Lord and God... the only difference is whether we embrace our vocation to know, love, and serve Him and His children or if we flee from it in selfishness. Hopefully, in the end, we run to God and chose to do His Will.

Are we running away from God’s Will for us? How can we learn to trust in Him and make the leap of faith He is asking us to take? Are we willing to embrace our vocation to know, love, and serve God and His children?

O Lord, give us the grace to trust in you, now and forever.

Amen.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.  What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times."

We might see the murderous tenants and wonder how they could do what they did, but in some ways whenever we sin we throw Jesus out of the vineyards of our souls and when we commit a mortal sin we kill our relationship with Jesus. We might not beat him or nail him to the cross with our own hands, but we join his persecutors in crucifying him at least spiritually. This is why it is so important for us to avoid sin and to remember who we are ultimately answerable to in our lives. Nothing we do is hidden. There is no sin we can hide from God and He knows exactly when and why we throw Him out of our lives and add to his sufferings on the cross. And so, let us not be like the wretched men who crucified our Lord, but rather let us be like the good and faithful servants who give God the good fruits of our lives at the proper times. Then, and only then, can we become co-heirs with Christ and inherit the Heavenly Kingdom.

In what ways do we disrespect God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? How can we live more faithful lives to the Holy Trinity? What can we do to welcome Jesus into the vineyards of our souls and allow him to show us how to bear good fruits?

O Lord, we give you the produce of our lives. Do with them what you will.

Amen.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

"Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, For I have seen the captivity that the Eternal God has brought upon my sons and daughters. With joy I fostered them; but with mourning and lament I let them go. Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many: For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God. Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; For he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy."

No matter how much we’ve sinned against God, let Him down, or turned away from what is right and good… we are still loved by God. Even in the midst of our sinful outbursts, He is constantly offering us salvation. He tells us to “Fear not!” He will remember us in our times of need. He will offer us every chance to return to Him and become ten times better seekers of His Way, Truth, and Life. Our sinful despondence will be replaced with joyful acceptance. Our evil ways will be amended to become charitable and merciful, reflecting the loving essence of our Heavenly Father. We have only to seek Him wholeheartedly with a firm intention to become His faithful servants now and forever.

What exiles are we suffering from due to our sins? How can we allow God to lead us to better places spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically? Is there anything we can do to become better seekers of God’s Will?

O Lord, bring us back to your joy whenever and wherever we stray.

Amen.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Twenty-Sixth Friday of Ordinary Time

For we did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us, but each one of us went off after the devices of his own wicked heart, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God.

We are constantly tempted to follow our own devices, to serve other things or people, and to do evil in the sight of God. However, God didn’t give us life or put us on earth to ignore Him or His Words. He wants us to heed His voice through our consciences and to live our faith in accord with His Teachings in the Scriptures and the Traditions of the Church. He has given us not only the prophets to proclaim the Divine Word, but made the Word into Flesh so He could show us the Way, speak to us the Truth, and give us the Life He wants us to live. It is up to us to accept the messages He has sent us and to conform our lives to them so we might have good hearts and know, love, and serve God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. He wants us to do good in His sight and to bear abundant fruits.

How can we put God’s callings before our own devices? What can we do to serve God and avoid the temptation to idolize worldly things and people? How can we make our lives more spiritually fruitful?

O Lord, help us to do good in your sight.

Amen.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Twenty-Sixth Thursday of Ordinary Time

"Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep"–for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!" And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened." Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.

We might not weep when the Word of God is read to us during mass or when we delve into the Bible at home, but the Scriptures should affect us in some way. They should inspire us to become better people. They should give us strength to carry our burdens. They should bring us happiness and joy. They should give us the light of hope in our hours of darkness. They should remind us of how much we are loved by God and how much He has to say to us every day… if only we would listen.

Are we listening to the Word of God? How can we be more faithful messengers of the Good News? What can we do to carry forth the love of God as expressed within the Scriptures?

O Lord, make us living fonts of your word.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king: "May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been eaten out by fire?" The king asked me, "What is it, then, that you wish?" I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king: "If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors' graves, to rebuild it."

God wants us to be happy. He wants to give us what we need to succeed in our spiritual lives. He is constantly asking us, “What is it, then that you wish?” Not for us to answer in worldly terms or to make selfish requests, but rather to prayerfully ask for the thoughts, words, and works that will help us to build up the temples within our souls. He wants us to discern with Him what are the most important aspects of our lives so we know where we wants us to go and what He wants us to do. We can’t do that if we are paralyzed with fears, doubts, and distractions. However, if we answer His call and pray for guidance, He will lead us where we need to be and inspire us to say and do what is in accord with His Will.

How can we overcome our fears and answer God’s call to follow Him? What is it that God wishes for us? What can we do to discern God’s Will in our lives?

O Lord, help us to wish for what is right and good.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Twenty-Sixth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

Our faith is one that embraces many cultures and races. We are open to welcoming anyone who is willing to profess our Creed and live according to the Word of God and the Traditions of the Church. Although many might accuse us of being unwelcoming or intolerant, this is not the case. We welcome all those who want to live the Christ-like life. We may not condone every lifestyle choice, but that doesn’t mean we condemn those who sin. Jesus didn’t condemn sinners, he loved them, cared for them, and did good things for them. All in the hope that they would see the truth of his words and sincerity of his actions and come to accept his Way, Truth, and Life. Similarly, we are called to greet sinners with open arms and hearts and be willing to treat them as Jesus did... with generosity and kindness.

Do we embrace the cultures and races around us? Do we love our neighbors even when they are living in sin? How can we learn to love those whom we do not agree with or find difficult to like?

O Lord, make us into one, united, welcoming people.

Amen.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

Old men and old women, each with staff in hand because of old age, shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the LORD of hosts?

Nothing is impossible for God. If He has plans for us and we accept them, then He will give us every grace we need to overcome the trials, sufferings, and obstacles in our way. If He wishes us to leave everything behind and follow Him, then we will have all we need awaiting us at our destination. If He needs us to say or do something for Him, then He will give us the words or the actions we need to accomplish His Will. If He asks us to leave behind what we know, then He will give us everything we need to embrace the unknown and thrive. We might not always understand why God is asking us to do something or how we are to accomplish it, but as long as we have child-like confidence in Him, then we shall always be given exactly what we need when we need it.

Are we open to the impossible? Are we willing to let God lead us to places, people, and works we have never dreamed of? How can we trust Him as we should?

O Lord, with you all things are possible.

Amen.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not, ' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?"

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Many times in our lives we say one thing and do another. Our Yeses and No’s mean maybes. Our promises are broken. Our actions fall short. We let distractions, doubts, and other things derail us from our intended path. We begin fully intending to do right, but end up doing wrong. Other times we complain or resist doing good, but rethink our objections and do God’s Will. We push aside our personal desires or plans and find a way to make things work. We go out to the vineyard because we know it’s what God is calling us to do. Of course, it would be even better for us if we did God’s Will without complaint from the very beginning and that is where we want to be as Christians. We want to follow through on the good and avoid the bad. We want our Yeses and No’s to mean something.

Are we more like the first son, denying God’s Will at first, but then doing what is right? Or are we more like the second son with good intentions, but no follow through? How can we make our lives into living Yeses to God’s Will?

O Lord, help us to do your will without hesitation or complaint.

Amen.