Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name; announce his salvation, day after day.

Part of being Christian is announcing God’s salvation, day after day. We do this through our thoughts by constantly trying to keep them on what is right and good. We do this with our words by disciplining our tongues so they speak the Good News and the truth in ways that bring people closer to God. We do this through our works by offering them all up to God as sacrifices. Our entire lives should proclaim the goodness of the Lord by reflecting the life of Christ in all things. We should be welcoming gates through which others can glimpse the promises of God and be attracted to the Christian faith.

How can we align our thoughts, words, and works with the Lord’s? What can we do to proclaim the Good News wherever we go? Are our lives attracting people to God or pushing them away?

O Lord, we shall announce your salvation, day after day.

Amen.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored.

Fear of the Lord is something many misunderstand. There are many types of fear. Fear for our lives, our health, our finances. Fear for ourselves, for others, for loved ones. Fear of the Lord is a fear of disappointing Him. It is a fear of not living up to the standards Jesus has set for us through his life and works. It is a fear of losing our way and falling into temptation and sin. Thankfully, God has given us everything we need to be successful as Christians and walk in His ways. He blesses and favors us in our thoughts, words, and works so we can be fruitful in our services to Him and His children.

Do we have a healthy fear of the Lord? How can we be more faithful to Him and walk in His ways? What can we do with all the graces, blessings, and favors God has given us?

O Lord, we fear disappointing you and ask for your help so we might walk in your ways always and forevermore.

Amen.

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

We have much to be glad and rejoice about in our lives. As such, our thoughts, words, and works should sing to the Lord and bless His name. After all, it is because of God that we have the time, talents, and treasures present in our lives. We would be nothing and have nothing, if it wasn’t for the generosity of our Heavenly Father, who gave us not only His Beloved Son as a sacrifice for our sins, but His Holy Spirit as a guide to holiness.

Are we glad for all we have? Do we rejoice in God’s Goodness and Graces? How can we make our lives sing God’s praises?

O Lord, we bless your name and sing with joy to you.

Amen.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare. Had not the LORD been with us—when men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive, When their fury was inflamed against us.

Our souls can be ensnared by many things in this world. They can be ensnared by sin, fears, doubts, anxieties, imperfections, financial worries, health scares, the loss of loved ones, persecutions, and many other trials. However, God will always rescue us from these difficulties if we are willing to accept His help. Even when things seem the worst, He can bring about our triumph. There is no challenge He can’t help us overcome. This doesn’t mean we won’t suffer, like Jesus suffered, but it does mean we will always have the graces we need to overcome every obstacle in our lives.

What things in the world are trying to ensnare us? How can we avoid or overcome these things? What can we do to learn to suffer patiently and trust in God’s ultimate triumph?

O Lord, rescue us from the snares of our enemies.

Amen.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are around him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

Sometimes God comes into our lives like a storm. He thunders and lightnings. and lets us know He is powerful, but He can also come in gentle and unseen ways. In whatever form He comes, He arrives to do one thing... to love us. He is just and good and wants what is best for us, even if we don't know what that is. Sometimes he comes as a storm to shake us and rouse us from a spiritual sleep. Other times He comes as a whisper of inspiration that guides us to a better life. No matter what, we should rejoice in His coming and in His staying with us always and everywhere we go.

Do our lives seem to be stormy lately? If so, then what might God be trying to show us through the lightning? Are we as equally open to the gentle whispers He sends us through the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, we are glad and rejoice at your coming into our lives.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.

During this Christmas season, we should be more willing than ever to commend our spirits into the hands of our Lord and God. After all, He gave Himself to us through His Beloved Son, Jesus. He asked us, through Mary and Joseph, to take care of His Word Made Flesh. How wondrous is the Incarnation! Our rock of refuge transformed into a child in a manger. Our stronghold a babe in swaddling clothes. Our leader and our guide come into the world as a little one. This is why we trust in God's Goodness and Compassion... because He became one of us in all things, except for sin and so He knows our frailty and weaknesses and is willing to show us how to overcome them.

Do we commend our spirits to God on a daily basis? What can we do to prepare ourselves for God's coming into our lives? How can we let God lead and guide us along the way of salvation?

O Lord, we commend our spirits to you.

Amen.

Christmas

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

Joy to the world! The Lord has come! Sing praise to our Wonderful God and Glorious king! He has come down from Heaven to join with us as a babe and a man. He has shared his deep love for us as he has shared in our humanity. He comes to us in the Eucharistic Feast and in gives us food and drink that nourishes our souls and grows our faith, hope, and love.

How are we expressing our joy at Christ’s birth? What can we do to prepare ourselves for his Second Coming? Are we thankful for the gifts he has given us throughout our lives from conception to now?

O Lord, we sing your praise with joyful and expectant hearts.

Amen.

Fourth Monday of Advent

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, "My kindness is established forever"; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

God has been very good to us. He has given us life. He has made us in His Divine Image. He has provided us with free will so we can truly love Him and others as He loves us. He has poured out His blessings and favors upon us. He has been a faithful Father to us. He has been a loving brother and teacher. He has been a guiding Spirit. He has shown us His Kindness. We cannot imagine how much God has done for us throughout our lives from the moment of our conception to the moment of our death and beyond. All we can do is accept His gifts and use them to the best of our abilities for the good of all whom we meet.

Do we thank God for all He has done for us? How can we reflect God’s Goodness in our own lives? What can we do to be better children of our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, we sing of your goodness.

Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

When Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.'"

The only sacrifice and offering God desires from us is for us to echo the words of Mary and say, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done unto me according to thy Will.” All the almsgiving, mortifications, and prayers mean nothing if we do not do them in accordance and in respect of God’s Will. If someone needs help, but we say to them come back later I’m praying, then are we doing God’s Will? If we mortify ourselves in some way during Fridays or Lent out of obligation and not love of God, then how can we expect to grow in faith? If we give alms to the poor or needy, but do so only out of our surplus or to absolve ourselves from doing more, then are we truly being charitable? We can do all the right things, for all the wrong reasons. However, if we make our entire lives into sacrifices and are willing to give everything to God, then His Spirit will work through us and we will become not only a worthy offering, but a fruitful vine full of good works.

Are we willing to do God’s Will no matter what it might cost us in the world? How can we transform ourselves into living sacrifices for the glory of God and the good of others? What can we do to ensure we are doing the right things for the right reasons?

O Lord, we come to do your will.

Amen.

Third Saturday of Advent

My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. "My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory."

Our hearts and minds should exult in the Lord, our Savior. We should find solace in our God. We should be uplifted by the knowledge that God is with us and will never abandon us. We should give glory, honor, and praise to our Heavenly Father for He is good and loving and protective. He will not let any harm come to our souls if we allow Him to guard us from wickedness. He will defeat our enemies, especially sin and death, and bring us joyful triumph and eternal life. We should exalt Him for all He has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us. He is our Savior and in Him we should trust, always and in every way.

Do our hearts and minds exult in the Lord? Do we give Him the glory, honor, and praise He deserves? How can we become more perfect in our thanksgiving to Him?

O Lord, we rejoice in you and the victories you bring us in this life.

Amen.

Third Friday of Advent

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.

We have much to be thankful for as the children of God. We could ask for no better Father than our God. He gave us our lives. He gives us His constant love. He will give us salvation and eternal life, if we accept His guidance and graces. This is why we should exult in God and sing to Him a new song. We should praise Him for everything He has done for us and shout for gladness for all His kindnesses. Our hearts should have but one response to God for all He has done for us... to glorify and love Him.

What are the things in our lives we should be grateful for? What can we do to give thanks to God for what He has given us? How can we nurture glad and thankful hearts in ourselves and others?

O Lord, we shout for gladness for all that you’ve done for us.

Amen.

Third Thursday of Advent

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory. The LORD's are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

All of creation is God’s and we would do well to remember that. Nothing we have is our own. Everything is a gift from God. Our lives, our food, our drink, our clothing, our homes, our goods... all of them come from our Heavenly Father, who knows what is best for His children. All the good fruits we produce in thought, word, or work find their source, center, and summit in God. He established everything in the universe for our own good and the good of all His children and this is why we should let Him enter into our hearts and minds. He is the Lord of our lives and the King of our spirits. He is the life-giving water that sustains us in the dryness of the world. He is the warming light that nourishes our souls. In Him, we find both Creator and Savior and a King of Kings.

Do we remember that nothing good comes from us alone, but from our participation in God’s Will? Do we give thanks to God for all He has done for us? Are we willing to let Him into our lives when the rest of the world tells us to shut Him out and be “self-sufficient”?

O Lord, enter into our hearts and be glorified.

Amen.

Third Wednesday of Advent

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.

God is our rock of refuge. He will always provide us shelter from the storms of our lives and give us rest when we are wary. The stronghold of His Love and Grace gives us safety from the moment of our conception to the moment of death and beyond. He is a Fortress against the wickedness and snares of the Devil and if we trust in Him, then nothing can overcome us. He is our rescuer from sin and death. He is our Savior and our mouths should be filled with praise for Him. Our hearts should sing His glory. For He will never abandon us to the wicked.

Do we take refuge in God when our lives are difficult and stormy? Do we give thanks to God for all the graces He gives us and the spiritual shelter He provides us? What can we do to repay His Infinite Kindness?

O Lord, you are our rock and we praise and glorify you for the refuge you constantly provide us in our lives.

Amen.

Third Tuesday of Advent

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.

Just as God does everything that He can to help the poor and afflicted, so to, we must do the same. When we see someone in need, even someone who might be repulsed by, we must do everything we can to help them within reason. We should strive to rescue those who call out to us, to help those in need, to have pity on the lowly and the poor. This is the type of justice God is calling all of us to make a reality in our own lives and in the lives of others. We might not be able to save everyone, Jesus couldn't do that, but we can do our best to be good and faithful servants.

Are we open to helping the poor and afflicted? What gifts and talents do we have that we can share with those in need? How can we be more just in our dealings with others?

O Lord, let your justice flourish through us, especially in our dealings with the poor and the afflicted.

Amen.

Third Monday of Advent

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

We all are called to be just in our dealings with God and others. If we want to be part of the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father, then we must treat others with dignity and respect. We have to govern ourselves with discipline so our every thought, word, and work will build up the Kingdom of God and not tear it down. When others see us, they should know we are Christians by our faith, our hope, and our love. They should say, "there is a just people" and we should respond, "come join us."

What can we do to govern ourselves with justice? How can we help justice flourish in our own time? How can we bring peace into our lives and the lives of those around us?

O Lord, plant your justice in our minds and hearts so they might yield the fruits of peace.

Amen.

Third Sunday of Advent

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

There is a lot to be joyful about in our lives. No matter what trials we might be undergoing, we should have no anxiety at all because as Christians we know God is with us and will never abandon us. As long as we are prayerful and willing to ask for God’s help, then He will grant His Grace to us. Perhaps not in the time and place we would choose, but at the time and place that will do the most good for our souls. If we trust God in this way, then we shall have His peace within our hearts and minds, knowing our requests will be fulfilled to our betterment. So, let us give thanks to our God, who is our Heavenly Father, Loving Brother, and Protective Spirit.

How can we cultivate a joyful spirit, even in times of trial and distress? How can we imitate God’s Kindness to all whom we meet? What can we do to prepare our hearts and minds for God’s Peace?

O Lord, guard our hearts and minds.

Amen.

Second Saturday of Advent

 Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. O shepherd of Israel, hearken, From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. Rouse your power.

Sometimes we can become lost in the world and need God’s help to find our way back to Him. We need His Light to show us the way. We need to see His Face in family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers so we might be reminded He is always with us. We need His guidance and protection to lead us where we are called to go. We need Him to shine forth and rouse His Divine Power to save us from the temptations of the world and even from ourselves. All these things should lead us to turn to God in our lives and help others do the same.

Are we allowing God to be our spiritual shepherd? How can we be more faithful followers of Christ? How can we reflect the face of God to all whom we meet each day?

O Lord, let us see your face and be saved.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life. Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.

If we follow the Lord, the light of life will be in us and guide us along the narrow path to Heaven. Of course, following God isn’t always easy. We are constantly counseled by the wicked to give into our temptations and walk the way of sinners. We are told by the world we should turn our backs on God and make our own way. However, we must resist these evil inclinations and instead focus on living upright lives, delighting in the laws of the Lord, and mediating upon them with humble hearts.

What can we do to open our eyes to the light of life? How can we resist the counsel of the wicked? Do we set aside time each day to meditate on God’s Divine Law?

O Lord, grant us the light of life.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness. I will extol you, O my God and King, and I will bless your name forever and ever. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.

We are truly blessed to have a loving and compassionate God. He is infinitely patient with us through our periods of sin, doubt, indifference, and selfishness. He is constantly helping us to overcome our weaknesses and to strengthen us in faith, hope, and love. He kindly extends His hand to us offering graces, blessings, and salvation to all whom will accept Him into their hearts. He is good to us all, even when we feel most abandoned and lost. Though we do not always see Him in our lives, He is always with us, waiting for us to open our eyes again and see Him next to us through thick and thin.

Do we recognize how blessed we are to have such a good God on our side? What can we do to express our thankfulness for His Graces, Love, and Mercy? How can we become more like Him, good and compassionate to all whom we meet each day?

O Lord, we extol you and bless your name forever.

Amen.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

You are the highest honor of our race. Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the LORD God, the creator of heaven and earth. 

Mary is blessed among all women and beloved by God. She was kept from sin through the Immaculate Conception and has the highest honor of our race as the Mother of God. Her trust in and faithfulness to Her Heavenly Father are virtues we all should seek to imitate. We also should mirror her openness to God's Will in her life. Like her, we should constantly be saying, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." So, too, she was the perfect disciple of her Beloved Son, Jesus, following his teachings even before he spoke them aloud. The Word of God dwelt in her and though she didn't always understand its meaning, she always treasured each revelation in her heart. Last but not least, she was a constant co-worker with the Holy Spirit, open to His fruitfulness, guidance, and inspirations. This is what sets Mary apart. She made her will one with the Holy Trinity and let her God guide her every thought, word, and work. May we do our best to imitate her in this regard.

Do we honor Mary as we should? Do we seek her help and intercession in our times of need? What can we do to build a closer relationship with her?

O Lord, thank you for giving us such a blessed Heavenly Mother.

Amen.

Second Tuesday of Advent

The Lord our God comes with power. Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name; announce his salvation, day after day.

Our God is powerful and He will do everything He can to save us. He will move mountains to move our hearts closer to Him. He will fill in valleys to raise our spirits. He will send angels to protect and guide us. He has already sent His Beloved Son to live, suffer, and die for us so we might grow in faith, hope, and love. He will bless us with every grace and give us every chance to choose Him over the world. Day after day, He offers us salvation. And if we will treat others as He treats us, then one day we shall stand before Him and He will say to us, "Well done, my good and faithful servants." And we will sing His praises for the rest of time.

Do we sing to the Lord and bless His Holy Name? Do we trust in His power? What can we do to become a good and faithful servant worthy of the salvation He offers to us each day?

O Lord, we sing to you and bless your name.

Amen.

Second Monday of Advent

Our God will come to save us! I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD --for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.

Our God has come to save us. He came in the form of a little baby named Jesus Christ. He came into this world in a lowly manger. He came to a mother, who gave herself completely to God’s Will when she said, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” He came to an adoptive father who did not question God’s Will when told to flee to Egypt. He came to be lost and then found in the temple. He came to be a minister of the truth, showing others the way to live their lives. He came to cure the sick, feed the hungry, cast out demons. He came to give hope to the hopeless and free the imprisoned. He came to save us from sin and death. He came to die for us from the moment he cried out as a babe to the moment he offered up his spirit on the cross. He came to rise for us and show us a new path to Heaven and eternal life. He came to give us the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate and Guide. He came to mend our relationship with our Heavenly Father and transform us into worthy co-heirs to the Kingdom of God.

How often do we thank God for coming into our lives and saving us? Are we even aware of His coming? How can we become more aware of His Presence with us and His saving graces?

O Lord, come to save us.

Amen.

Second Sunday of Advent

And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

We all should pray for an increase in our ability to love. In addition, we need to pray for the knowledge and the perception to love wisely and well and to choose right over wrong. We need knowledge to understand what to think, say, and do to help others. We need the perception to recognize when and where we are needed. We need knowledge, perception, and love in order to follow the commandments and live holy and pure lives. When we have these three things, then we shall be fruitful in our faith and bear righteousness into the world. By doing this, we plant the seeds of love wherever we go, giving glory and praise to God and growing the faith of others.

Do we pray for love, knowledge and perception? How can we come to see what is truly of value in this world so that we might become pure and blameless? What can we do to increase in love and righteousness so that we can bear good fruits?

O Lord, increase our ability to love through knowledge and perception of your Divine Will.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blesses Virgin Mary, it is only right that we sing to the Lord a new song and proclaim the marvelous deeds God has done for us. These are words that echo those Mary spoke to Elizabeth in the Magnificat where she proclaims the greatness of the Lord, rejoices in the Savior, and recognizes the great things God has done for her. In a similar way, we are also called to follow in Mary’s footsteps by proclaiming God’s greatness, rejoicing in His saving grace, and giving thanks for all He has done for us. If we do these things and live our lives in accordance with the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church, then we shall be a part of God’s victory and share in His Triumph over sin and death.

Do we sing God’s praises? In what ways can we rejoice in God, our Savior? How can we express the depths of our thanksgiving for all God has done for us?

O Lord, we praise and thank you for all the marvelous deeds you have done for us.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

The Lord is my light and my salvation. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?

With the Lord as our light and our salvation, we have nothing to fear. He illuminates our lives, leading us out of darkness and sin. He guides our way like a lighthouse, protecting us from the hazards that can sometimes beset us. He is our refuge, too, providing each of us with a safe haven within His Sacred Heart. When we are wary, He gives us rest. When we are needy, He sustains us. When we are lost, He finds us and leads us back home to Him. This is why we should place our complete trust in Him. He will never abandon us. He will always do everything within His Power to bring us to the Promised Land and life everlasting.

Are our eyes open to the light of Christ? Are we willing to leave the temptations of the darkness and follow where God is calling us? How can we rid ourselves of the fears that keep us from seeking the light?

O Lord, you are our light and our salvation.

Amen.

First Thursday of Advent

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

The Lord is our refuge. He is there for us always. In good times and in bad times, in sickness and in health, He is with us. His Mercy and Grace protect us and guide us from the moment we are conceived to the moment of our rebirth in the afterlife. His Goodness leads to our good. If we trust in Him above all else, then we will not be disappointed. Instead, we will be blessed with life everlasting.

Have we given thanks to God for all He has done for us? Do we seek shelter in Him when we are in need or sorrow? Do we trust in Him more than ourselves or others?

O Lord, we give thanks for all the blessings you have given us.

Amen.

First Wednesday of Advent

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

The house of the Lord can reside in our hearts as well as the Church. Our hearts, which may be unworthy mangers, can be made worthy to receive Jesus through the sacrament of reconciliation. We can clean out all our old ways and give Christ a place to lay his head when he comes to us in the sacrament of communion. By making our hearts into his home, we open ourselves to all the graces God has prepared for us. He grants us his protection. He gives us repose and inner peace. He leads us to the life-giving waters of love and mercy. He refreshes our souls through His Divine Presence. He makes us into living temples, shining His Light upon the world around us and leading others to rest in Him.

Are we willing to clean out all those things that prevent God from living within us? How can we cleanse ourselves, like Joseph and Mary cleansed and made ready the manger before Christ's birth? What can we do to prepare ourselves to be dwelling places of our Savior and our God?

O Lord, dwell within us and make us holy.

Amen.

First Tuesday of Advent

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

Justice will flourish around us if we live the Christ-like life. When we treat others with dignity and love, they are more likely to respond in kind. Even if they don't respond to our kindness, we will have done the right thing and be at peace with ourselves. We also need to govern our own hearts, minds, and bodies with justice, fostering every virtue and uprooting ever vice. In this way, we can grow in faith, hope, and love. This is why it is so important for us to pray for God' Justice and Mercy in our own lives and to trust that God will endow us with both so we can live holy and fruitful lives forever and ever.

Are our lives governed by God's Justice? How can we promote and nurture the virtue of justice in our own lives and the lives of others? What acts of justice is God calling us to perform for Him and His children?

O Lord, may your justice flourish in us and bring us peace forever.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD." And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.

When we go to mass or to any gathering of the faithful, we should go rejoicing. We should put aside all our worldly doubts, fears, and anxieties and focus on being with God. Often, we are beset by distractions in our lives and may be tempted to give them our attention, but we should offer all these up to God and use them as stepping stones to mediation and contemplation of God. This transforms what could lead us astray into something that leads us closer to God. So, when we step through the doors of our church, let us leave behind the world and all its empty worries and instead dedicate ourselves to a deeper participation in the mass and all our church's gatherings.

How can we prepare ourselves to go to church? What can we do to transform our worldly worries into spiritual opportunities for deepening our faith? How can we participate more fully in the mass and in the various spiritual gatherings at our church?

O Lord, let us go rejoicing to your house.

Amen.

First Sunday of Advent

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

Jesus came into the world through the Incarnation as a little child. He came to proclaim the Good News, save souls, and prepare the world for his next coming. As this Christmas season begins, we would do well to keep in mind both the First and the Second Coming. The first because through it we were freed from sin and saved from death. The second because it promises everlasting life and the unfathomable experience of being in God’s Divine Presence forever. In both cases, God will increase us, strengthen our hearts, and make us holy. The Incarnation was the beginning of our Christian faith, the Second Coming will be its pinnacle. We can only hope the way we spend our lives will lead us to Hosanna in the Highest and a life full of spiritual blessings and saving graces.

In what ways are we preparing ourselves for the coming of Christmas? How can we also prepare ourselves for the Second Coming? How can we help others to prepare for and anticipate these spiritual events?

O Lord, strengthen our hearts and make them holy.

Amen.

Fourth Anniversary!

Another year has passed and we have reached the four years mark! When I started this blog, I had about six years worth of material stocked up... so we are two-third of the way done. According to my stats' button, this site has almost 16,000 visits. Thank you to everyone who has visited! I hope you all are getting something out of these reflections.

I look forward to reflecting on the daily Psalms (since we've read all the daily gospels and 1st readings over the course of the past four years) and Sunday's second readings with you in the coming year.*

Lastly, I hope you will continue to walk with me on this journey and explore the wonderful readings the Catholic Church.

*For those who don't know, each year's Sunday readings focus on a particular gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John is used for special occasions, such as the Easter season. This way Catholics who do the daily readings read a good amount of the Old Testament and most of the New Testament every three years!

Thirty-Fourth Saturday in Ordinary Time

They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.

If we are true to our faith, the name of God will be written on our foreheads. Our lips will proclaim the Word of God. Our hands will do the work of God. Our feet will follow the path God has set before us. Our minds will meditate on and contemplate God. Our hearts will be at one with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our lives will be fruitful and abundant with good works. God's Light will dwell within us and make us into shining beacons of faith and hope and love. And the Lord will reign within us and through us to the rest of the world.

Are we living fruitful lives? How can we grow in faith and become more Christ-like in all things? What can we do to bring the God's Light into the world around us?

O Lord, write your name upon our foreheads and our hearts.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

No one who is true to the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ will ever be put to shame. Even if we suffer for our faith, lose all our worldly goods, or lose our health, we will never be abandoned by God. If we confess Him with our mouths and believe in Him in our hearts, then we will be saved and prosper in the next life. God will justify and save us if we do His Will without complaint or hesitation. He will enrich us with virtues and grace whenever we call upon Him. He will lead us to eternal life if we know, love, and serve Him and all His children to the best of our abilities.

Do we confess God through our thoughts, words, and works? Do we trust God will not allow us to be put to shame? Do we call on the name of God whenever we are in need?

O Lord, we confess and believe in you and your saving graces.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Thursday in Ordinary Time

"Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."

Our entire lives should be one unending Alleluia, “Praise God!” For it was He who created the universe we live in, the sun that warms us, and the earth that holds us. He is the one who gave us our lives and freedom. He has provided everything to us we could grow in faith, hope, and love. He has been with us from the beginning. He is constantly with us. And He will always be with us as long as we allow Him to do so. He is the Just and Merciful Judge of all and will give each of us exactly what we deserve. This is why He deserves to be praised from the moment we wake to the moment we sleep... every day of our lives.

Do we praise God as we should? Do we thank Him for all the gifts He has given us? How can we praise Him through our every thought, word, and work?

O Lord, salvation, glory and might belong to you.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.

The end goal of our lives is to be judged as good and faithful servants to God and His children. Everything else in our lives needs to come secondary to our service of the Lord. It can be difficult to make God the center of our lives, especially when the world tempts us to turn our backs on Him. Fame, fortune, pleasure, and all sorts of earthly things try to worm their way into our hearts and lead us into sin. However, if we have a proper fear of the Lord, namely not wishing to disappoint Him, then we will be able to glorify God’s Name in all that we do. If our lives are just and true, then one day we will stand before God and He will welcome us into His Kingdom as His holy children.

Do we have a healthy fear of disappointing God? How can we keep our lives focused on being good and faithful servants? In what ways can we worship God and love our neighbors more perfectly?

O Lord, we fear failing you and pray for the grace to succeed in all that you ask us to do.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud, "Use your sickle and reap the harvest, for the time to reap has come, because the earth's harvest is fully ripe." So the one who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

In the end, there will be two harvests. One harvest for the good and fruitful. Another harvest from the evil and fruitless. One harvest will lead to joy and everlasting life. The other to suffering and destruction. We all face a stark choice in our lives. Will we be among the fruitful and the saved or the barren and the burned. Every thought, word, and work will weigh upon the scales of judgment for good and evil. If we want to be saved, then we must do everything in our power to bear good and abundant fruits and uproot the vices and indifference that strangle our good works before they can come to fruition.

What good fruits have we brought into this world? How can we magnify and multiply them? What can we do to be more fruitful in virtue, good deeds, and prayer?

O Lord, help us to bear good and abundant fruits.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Monday in Ordinary Time

I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

Though we might not write Jesus' name or our Heavenly Father's name or the name of the Holy Spirit upon our foreheads, it should be clear to all whom we meet that we are Christians. Our every thought should be guided by the commandments of our Father, the teachings of His Son, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. The words we speak to others should find their source in God. The works we do should proclaim we are followers of Christ and bear good fruits. Just as God is always with us, so we must always be with Him in spirit and truth. We should be beacons on a hill, leading all of God's children to the Promised Land and singing God's praises all the days of our lives.

Is it clear to others that we are Christians? How can we act more Christ-like in thought, word, and work? In what ways can we lead others to holier lives founded upon our relationships with the Holy Trinity?

O Lord, write your name upon our hearts and foreheads.

Amen.

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus is our King, but not in the way the world sees kings. He is a servant king, who puts the welfare of his people above his own. He is willing to sacrifice himself for our good in hopes that we might grow in faith, hope, and love. He has given us a faithful witness of what it means to be a good and faithful servant. It means a willingness to suffer and to forgive. It means loving our enemies as well as our family and friends. It means making ourselves into living sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. It means acting like kings and queens called to know, love, and serve God and all His children. It means becoming priestly people, keeping holy the Sabbath and partaking in the sacraments. It means being prophets of the Good News and bearing the Word of God to all whom we meet each day in whatever ways God calls us.

Are we allowing Jesus and his teachings to rule our lives? How can we let the Holy Spirit work through us and become more faithful servants to God and His children? In what ways can we transform ourselves into priests for our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, make us into faithful witnesses to you, just as Jesus was, is, and ever will be the perfect witness to your goodness and glory.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

But after the three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them. When they stood on their feet, great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, "Come up here." So they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies looked on.

Sometimes it may seem like our enemies have triumphed over us or that the wicked are rewarded for their misdeeds, but in the end, there is always a reckoning with God. Those who mock and persecute us will have to answer for their sins, just as we will have to answer for ours if we trespass against others. Those who do wrong and spurn good will be judged by God and go to their punishment, while those who do good and avoid evil will go to their reward. Those who lie about God, His Church, and His children will be silenced, while the good and faithful people will speak the Truth, follow the Way, and live the Life of Christ for all eternity. We can only hope to be such good witnesses to the Good News that one day God will say to us, “Come up here” and lift us up to heaven and eternal life.

How can we keep faith with God when it seems everything is going wrong? What can we do to ensure we are counted among the good and faithful servants of God? In what ways can we witness to the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ?

O Lord, lift us up and make us into a holy people.

Amen.

Thirty-Third Friday in Ordinary Time

"Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." I took the small scroll from the angel's hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then someone said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."

Proclaiming the word of God promises to be both a sweet and sour experience. It is sweet because it brings with it the hope of victory over sin and death, but it is sour because it also promises suffering. Just as Jesus’ life was sweet and sour, so ours will be, too. The sweetness comes from being good and faithful servants, filled with God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace. It is a sweetness that can only be achieved by doing God’s Will without reservation. However, doing what is right can require a great deal of sacrifice from us. We might have to die for what we believe it. Proclaiming the Good News doesn’t always win us friends. It can cause us to be misunderstood and hated. It can turn friends and family into enemies. It can lead to others betraying us, just as Jesus was betrayed. The task God gives to us can bring much sorrow to our lives, but if we trust in Him, then we will discover the sacrifices we are asked to make will be worth it in the end.

Are we willing to do what must be done to proclaim the Good News in our lives? Are we willing to suffer the sourness that can come from choosing to follow God? How can we grow in spiritual sweetness and become good and faithful people?

O Lord, let us eat of the same bread and drink of the same cup as you did in your life.

Amen.

Thanksgiving

I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have a lot to be thankful for each and every day of our lives. We ought to be thankful for God’s gift of life for us and our loved ones. We ought to be thankful for the faith and hope He has sustained in us. We ought to be thankful for the love He has shown us. We ought to be thankful for the knowledge He has passed onto us and the ways He has enriched us through the Scriptures and the traditions of the Church. We ought to be thankful for the graces and spiritual gifts He has given us. Most of all, we should be thankful for His Divine Mercy and the compassion He has shown us by sacrificing His Beloved Son for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of our souls.

What else should we be thankful for? How can we show our thanks to God and to others? What can we do to live in a constant spirit of thankfulness?

O Lord, we give thanks to you for all you have done, are doing, and will do for us.

Amen.

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back. The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."

The lion, calf, man, and eagle symbolize the noblest, strongest, wisest, and swiftest creatures created by God. They are covered with eyes and so are able to see all the good God does for His Creation. In response to what they witness, they give constant glory and praise to God. They call Him Holy and proclaim Him as their Lord God Almighty. In a similar way, we as Christians are called to be the noblest of people by following the commandments of God and living holy lives. We are called to be the strongest of people by bearing our crosses without complaint while resisting all evil. We are called to be the wisest of people by knowing the Truth and proclaiming it. We are called to be the swiftest of people by doing God’s Will without hesitation. These aren’t always easy to do, but thankfully God has given us the graces we need to proclaim day and night, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."

How can we be nobler, stronger, wiser, and swifter in our faith? Are our eyes ever open to the wonders, graces, and glory of our Lord and God? In what ways can we proclaim the Good News and praise God, who was, who is, and who is to come?

O Lord, you are holy. Grant us the grace to be holy, too.

Amen.

Thirty-Third Tuesday in Ordinary Time

For you say, 'I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,' and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.

There is the constant temptation to believe we can be self-sufficient in this world. However, riches and material wealth doesn't make us self-sufficient. Instead, they can be dangerous by tempting us to misuse our wealth for selfish reasons and to mistake our worldly successes as a sign God favors us. God favors not the rich or the poor, but those who do His Will. He favors those who purchase His grace through prayer, alms-giving, and mortification. He favors those who clothe themselves in virtues and good works. He favors those who seek to remedy their spiritual blindness by trusting, hoping, and loving Him and His children to the best of their abilities. Most of all, God favors those who are earnest in their desire for repentance and who show mercy to those who trespass against them.

How can we grow in grace through prayer, alms-giving, and mortification? What can we do to clothe ourselves in God's Goodness? How can we gain the spiritual insights we need to overcome our spiritual blindness?

O Lord, we know you love us and are earnest in our repentance.

Amen.

Thirty-Third Monday in Ordinary Time

I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first.

We can do everything right in our lives, but if we do them without love, then we will have much to answer for on the Day of Judgment. Just because we keep the commandments doesn't make us sinless. Just because we suffer for God or others and cannot tolerate the wicked doesn't mean we ourselves are pure of heart. We can do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. We can be tripped up by self-righteous pride. Our good words and works might be tainted by selfish interests and a lack of love. We can be faithful and hopeful, but without love our faith and hope are empty and meaningless. When we let our love of self or of worldly things overrule our love of God and neighbor, we fail to live up to our callings as Christians. It is only when we do what is right out of love that we gain any merit. Our hearts need to be in the right place so our thoughts, words, and works will be good, faithful, and fruitful.

Is love at the heart of our every action? How can we make love of God and others more central to all our decisions? How can we rid ourselves of all those selfish inclinations that interfere with what is right and good?

O Lord, we repent for our failure to love properly and pray that you will give us loving hearts.

Amen.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

Jesus’ sacrificed himself for the forgiveness of sin, once and for all. In a similar way, we also must be willing to sacrifice ourselves by forgiving those who trespass against us. It isn’t always easy to forgive someone who has done us wrong, but if we want to be true to our calling as Christians, then we must put aside our disappointments and dislikes and have mercy on everyone who has harmed us in one way or another. Jesus was willing to forgive those who mocked, tortured, and crucified him. We should be willing to do the same without hesitation. So, let us make our lives into a living sacrifices united with Christ’s poured out for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of souls.

Are we willing to forgive those who have trespassed against us? How can we learn to be more merciful towards those who have harmed us? How can we free ourselves from the chains that come from being unforgiving?

O Lord, free us from any grudges we might hold against those who have sinned against us and help us to forgive.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.

Hospitality and friendliness toward strangers are virtues we all should strive for in our lives. Jesus was kind and welcoming to all who came to him, even those whom others saw as unclean, evil, or beneath their notice. Jesus did not care who a person was, he only saw the image of God within others and sought to renew and magnify that image in each person by showing them love and compassion. He supported all who came to him to the best of his abilities. He cured the sick, the lame, the possessed. He forgave sins. He poured out his graces and powers to bring as many as he could to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If we want to be true imitators of Jesus, then we must do the same for all whom we meet in this life. Willing to help the needy, comfort the sick and sorrowing, protect the weak, and be faithful witnesses to all who come to us for aid.

Are we hospitable and friendly even to those whom we do not know or like? How can transform our own hearts into the welcoming heart of Jesus? What can we do to magnify the Lord in ourselves and others?

O Lord, make us faithful in all we do for your brothers and sisters.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Friday in Ordinary Time

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist. Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense. Anyone who is so "progressive" as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son.

The world is full of good people, but it is also beset by deceivers, tempters, and evil-doers. As such, we must be on guard against these worldly people at all times. These wreckers of souls can be family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, bosses, or complete strangers. They lure good people into bad situations and tempt them to sin. They make false promises. They twist our good intentions. They persecute and mock us. They work toward the destruction of souls, theirs and others. Some know what they are doing and don’t care. Others might not realize that they’ve become stumbling blocks, bringing ruin upon God’s children. It is of the utmost importance that we do not allow these people to lead us astray and try our best to show them the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We cannot do this ourselves, but with the protection of the Father, the teachings of the Son, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit we can be beacons of goodness and light in the world and bring others to the safe harbor that can only be found in God.

Who are those who are trying to deceive us or others and lead us astray? How can we try to convert them without risking our souls? How can we protect others from their evil ways?

O Lord, give us the grace to never lose you or lead others astray.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Thursday in Ordinary Time

I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me.

Although God could force us to do what is right, He doesn't. He lets us make good and bad choices out of respect for our free will. This doesn't mean He fails to give us guidance. Far from it! He has given us a conscience to warn us against evil. He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us to live our faith with hope and love. He has poured out His saving graces upon us through His Beloved Son, Jesus. He has the full right in Christ to order us to do what is proper, but He wants us to do what is right out of love and not just obligation. We might not always understand why God asks certain things of us, but He always asks for what's best for all His children. It might involve some sacrifice on our part, but in the end what we give up will pale in comparison to the consolations we will receive in Heaven for being a good and faithful servant to God and His children.

How can we prepare ourselves to do what is right? In what ways can we learn to be more attentive to our consciences and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are we willing to give up our time, talents, and treasures to do God's Will?

O Lord, out of love we give ourselves to you and your Divine Will.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.

As Christians, we are called to be good citizens, obedient to all legitimate authorities. We must be open to every good enterprise and ready to do every sort of good work. Although we should stand up for what is right and strive to change bad laws, we should do so through peaceful means. Not slandering our opponents, but rather being considerate and gracious toward all. We should have pity on those who have been led astray by their worldly desires and pleasures and seek to show them the right way to live without forcing them into the faith. We do this best by allowing God to think, speak, and work through us to bring about the conversion of sinners.

Are we being good citizens? Are we showing compassion even to those whom we most disagree with? How can we show others what it means to be a good Christian neighbor?

O Lord, make us into peaceable, considerate, and gracious citizens.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin

For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

The grace of God has done many things for us. It has brought us to life through the love of God the Father. It has given us every aid to be holy through the teachings and examples of Jesus. It has provided us with spiritual support through the inspirations and protection of the Holy Spirit. It has saved us and trained us to reject godless ways and worldly desires. It has encouraged us to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in an age that encourages us to live immoderately, greedily, and faithlessly. It gives us every opportunity to be cleansed of our sins, reform our lives, and become a people eager to do what is right. There is no excuse for us if we fail to live up to our calling as Christians because God's Grace provides us all we need to be good and faithful servants to God and His children.

Do we welcome God's Grace into our lives or shut it out through sin and pride? How can we be more open to the graces He is trying to pour out into our lives? What can we do to become more grace-full people, eager to do God's Will in all things?

O Lord, save us and train us to reject the godless and worldly ways that seek to lead us astray.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God's chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth, in the hope of eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before time began, who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior, to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.

God doesn’t lie. Every word expressed in the Bible and through the Doctrines of the Church is Truth with a capital T. The words spoken by Christ should be the bedrock of our every thought, word, and work. They are meant to lead us along the Way of Jesus and to a eternal Life with the Holy Trinity in Heaven. The Scriptures and the Church should give us constant hope that one day we will overcome all the obstacles in the way of our faith and become good and faithful servants.

Do we accept the Bible as Truth? What about the doctrines of the Church? How can we allow ourselves to be more fully immersed in the Truth so that we can walk the Way and live the Life of Christ, too?

O Lord, help us to trust in you.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice once and for all. He held nothing back. He gave everything he could for us. He lived and worked for us to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He suffered and died for us to take away our sins and save us from the fires of Hell. He did all these things to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father through the inspirations and workings of the Holy Spirit. He died for love of us, pouring out his mercy. And in the same way, all of us are called to become living sacrifices for the glory of God and the good of others. We are asked to bring about the salvation of ourselves and others, striving to follow the narrow path to Heaven and lead as many people with us as possible.

In what ways do we give Jesus thanks for all he has done for us? How can we turn our lives into living sacrifices? What can we do to bring others closer to Christ, to our Father, and the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, take away our sins and bring us to salvation.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

Paul is grateful to the Philippians for all the help they have given to him. He rejoices in their charity, even though he doesn’t need it. He sees their generosity and kindness as profitable for their own souls. This is how we should react to other people’s kindness to us. We should be grateful for it, but strive to be self-sufficient and to live in humble circumstances. We should be the same person whether we live in abundance or in need. No matter our situation, we should place our trust in God and be willing to go where He needs us to go, do what He needs us to do, and carry the crosses we need to carry.

Do we thank others for the help they’ve given us? How can we learn to live in humble circumstances? What can we do to become self-sufficient in, through, with, and for Christ?

O Lord, give us the strength for everything.

Amen.

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

We are all called to be temples of God. We are all asked to be sacred spaces wherein God can dwell. We are given the grace to build our lives upon the foundations of the rock of Christ. Whenever we worthily receive the Word of God or the Blessed Sacrament, we are transformed into living temples to the glory of God for the good of all. We strive to keep ourselves holy and help others to do the same for we are all called to build up the Church and be united as One Body of Christ. Woe to us if we fail in our calling to be good and faithful servants or if we destroy the foundations of faith in others, but blessed are we if we strive to uphold the faith in ourselves and all of God’s children.

Are we treating ourselves and others as temples of God? How can we build up our faith, hope, and love? What can we do to remain holy dwelling places for our Lord and God?

O Lord, build us into living temples to you.

Amen.

Thirty-First Thursday in Ordinary Time

But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Everything in this world is a loss, except those things that lead us closer to God. We might be surrounded by worldly treasures and pleasures, but all of them are empty when compared to the spiritual treasures and pleasures we can gain through a holy, loving, and faithful life. The supreme good of our lives is coming to know, love, and serve our Heavenly Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is this good that we should constantly strive for in this life so we might magnify the Lord and rejoice in our Savior just as his most faithful servants did in their lives.

How can we detach ourselves from worldly things and see them all as a loss? What can we do to live our lives in accord with the supreme good of knowing, loving, and serving God? Are we willing to sacrifice the world so we might gain heaven?

O Lord, you are the source of all spiritual gain. Grant us the supreme good of knowing, loving, and serving you.

Amen.

Thirty-First Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

God often asks us to do things we don’t understand or don’t want to do. This can tempt us to grumble against Him or question Him, but this shouldn’t be our response to His call. Rather, we should trust that what He is asking of us will lead to our good and the good of others. We should be willing to suffer, just as Jesus suffered, to bring about His Kingdom. We must wrestle with our pride and make ourselves humble children of God. The world surrounds us with thoughts, words, and works that will lead us astray if we let them. This is why it’s so important to resist these temptations and shine like lights in the world and hold onto the word of life. If we do this, then God will give us the graces we need to overcome all our obstacles, to run the race of faith to its finish, and to produce good fruits for Him and all His children.

How can we rid ourselves of grumbling and questioning in regards to following Christ? What can we do to shine like lights in the world and lead others closer to God? How can we resist the temptations of the world and become holier people?

O Lord, help us to shine like lights in the world.

Amen.

Thirty-First Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Just like Jesus, we are all called to empty ourselves. We must rid ourselves of all the thoughts that keep us from being holy in mind. We must rid ourselves of all the passions that keep us from being holy in body. We must rid ourselves of all the selfish inclinations that keep us from being holy in spirit. We must be willing to humble ourselves and become obedient to God no matter what our obedience might cost us. We must bend our knees, give glory to God, and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord with our every thought, word, and work. If we do all these things, then our Heavenly Father will exalt us and bless us and save us.

How can we empty ourselves and become slaves to our Lord and God? In what ways can we cultivate humble hearts and obedient minds? Are we willing to bend the knee and trust in God’s Divine Plan?

O Lord, we empty ourselves before you and hope you will fill us with your graces.

Amen.

Thirty-First Monday in Ordinary Time

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.

It can be very difficult to look out for other people's interests above our own. We are constantly tempted to think that our time, talents, and treasures are worth more than others. The sin of pride makes it hard to humble ourselves and regard others as more important than ourselves. However, if we want to be followers of Christ, then we have to be willing to sacrifice our own wants and needs for the glory of God and the good of others. We must be filled with love, compassion, and mercy. We must be of the same mind, love, and heart as Jesus. We must look out for others to the best of our ability even if it means giving up our time, our talents, and our treasures. In spite of what the world might think, we will never be impoverished by doing God's Will. Instead, we will be enriched by our Heavenly Father for all the good we did for Him and His children.

Are we willing to put God's Will and the good of others above our own? How can we learn to be humbler and more united to Christ in all we think, say, and do? How can we keep a better eye out for the interests and needs of others?

O Lord, we humble regard you and your children as more important than our own selfish desires.

Amen.

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.

Jesus is our high priest, our source of grace and love, our center of hope, and the summit of our faith. He showed us through his life, passion, death, and resurrection what it means to live out our vocation to know, love, and serve God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. He has given us an example of what it means to be holy, innocent, and undefiled. He has spoken the Truth to us so we might walk his Way and live his Life. Most importantly, he will not give up on us in this life. He will do everything in his power to lead us to the Promised Land of Heaven. He is our high priest and savoir and in him we can trust and hope and be brought to perfection.

Do we give thanks to God for giving us His Beloved Son as our High Priest? How can we become a more priestly people? How can we make ourselves into living sacrifices for the glory of God and the good of all?

O Lord, make intercession for us and save us.

Amen.

Thirtieth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two.

Paul rejoices at the prospect of life or death. He sees both paths as ways to fulfill his calling. In the same way, we are called to be detached enough from life to be not afraid of death. Death is just a doorway to Christ and a new life. We have nothing to fear from it. If God sees fit to take our lives today, then our response should be, "Amen. So be it!" If He lets us live for many years to come, then we should response, "Amen. So be it!" Both options should spark a fire of hope within us. Life should spark within us an eagerness to do fruitful labor and magnify Christ in thought, word, and work. Death should spark within us the joyful expectation of spending the rest of eternity with our Beloved God. There is no loss for us in death as long as we live the Christ-like life and strive to follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and the commandments of our Heavenly Father.

Do we rejoice in God no matter what He is asking of us? Are we bold in our faith, always seeking ways to magnify the Lord? How can we cultivate the attitude of detachment we need to be willing to live or die for our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, we shall rejoice in life or death as long as both lead us ever closer to you.

Amen.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.

Through baptism, we have been united to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We have been given the vocation to walk the Way, speak the Truth, and live the Life of Christ. We have been asked to be willing to mortify ourselves and suffer for the glory of God and the good of others. We have been given the love, mercy, and grace we need to free ourselves from sin and death. All these things lead us into a deeper union with God and if we are willing to crucify our old selves for God, then we shall be made worth of a life with Him in Heaven.

How can we grow in union with God? Are we truly willing to crucify ourselves in meaningful and life transforming ways? How can we become more Christ-like in our lives so that we might overcome death and share in the resurrection?

O Lord, we choose to die for you so we might live with you forever.

Amen.

Solemnity of All Saints

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

Jesus came into the world to make us all into the adopted children of God. He came to show us how to cast off our sinful selves and put on the spirit of the Lamb. He became our scapegoat so we might be washed clean of our sins by His Precious Blood. He become our food so we might be united to God through His Blessed Body. If we do these things, then the world will not recognize us and we will not become lost in its lures, temptations, and vices. By accepting our call to be children of God, we become more and more like Jesus and our eyes are opened so we can see God as He is and our fellow brothers and sisters as they are, too. So, let us make ourselves pure as Jesus is pure so one day we might join him in Heaven forever and ever.

Do we think, speak, and act like children of God? How can we purify ourselves so we are more like Christ in all things? What can we do to follow our calling to become good and faithful children of our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, we are your children now.

Amen.

Thirtieth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth.

God calls us to obey our parents and to honor our fathers and mothers. This is sometime difficult to do, especially since our parents are all imperfect. Just like us, they are sinners, too. They have their blind spots and their blemishes and sometimes it can be hard to love them. They aren't always the best influences, either. However, we should always strive to honor them in the sense of loving them unconditionally and doing our best to obey them when it doesn't lead us into sin. Our relationship with our parents mirrors the relationship between God and us. Sometimes we are difficult to love. Sometimes we are sinners. Sometimes we are blind and blemished. Sometime we are not the best influences on others. Still, God loves us and so we should love our parents, too, in spite of their imperfections. For if we love them, then we will be better able to obey our Heavenly Father and Mother so our lives might go well and we might live forever and ever with God in Heaven.

Do we obey and honor our earthly fathers and mothers? What about our Heavenly Father and Mother? How can we become better children of both?

O Lord, we seek to obey and honor you, our Heavenly Mother, Mary, and the parents you've given us in this life.

Amen.

Thirtieth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his Body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church. In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.

We are loved by God as His own flesh. Just as the Son is loved by Him, so are we. He loves each of us through the Holy Spirit as a husband loves his wife. He loved us so much, He sent His Beloved Son to us... to teach us and sacrifice himself for us so we might be united to Him. God has made us part of His Holy Family through Christ and the Church and we in turn should act accordingly. We should put our trust in Him and love Him without reservation. We should seek to do His Will and bring others into our spiritual family. We should be afraid of doing anything that might disappoint God or harm our relationship with Him. After all, we are His children and should glorify, honor, and praise Him with every thought, word, and work of our lives.

Have we united ourselves to God like husband and wife? Have we aligned our thoughts, words, and works with His? How can we become more perfect members of His Body?

O Lord, we love you and wish to be joined to you as one in body, mind, and spirit.

Amen.

Thirtieth Monday in Ordinary Time

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

We should seek to be imitators of God in all things, especially in the way we know, love, and serve others. We should be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving. We should be kind and good and seek to do what is right. We should offer ourselves as living sacrifices for the glory of God and the good of others. We must strive to live in love as Christ loved us. This requires a willingness to sacrifice ourselves for what is right and to suffer for God. It means living a life that mirrors Jesus' life from beginning to end. This isn't always easy, but it is a lighter yoke than the chains of sin and will lead us to everlasting life if we are willing to follow in Christ's footsteps.

How can we become more like Christ in our every thought, word, and work? How can we live in love? In what ways can we become more compassionate and forgiving?

O Lord, help us to become good and faithful imitators of you in all things.

Amen.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son: this day I have begotten you; just as he says in another place: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Although we might not all be called to be priests or religious or missionaries, we are all called to be Christ. In that way, we are all called to be the sons and daughters of God and to proclaim the Good News and participate in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Our every thought, word, and work should have the Gospels behind them so we might be living reflections of Jesus Christ, our high priest and savior. So too, we should place ourselves in the right mind before, during, and after Mass by offering ourselves as sacrifices upon the altar and giving God all our good works. In this way, we live up to our calling to be a priestly people and true sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.

What honors has God given us? How can we make them holy? In what ways can we live out our calling to be a priestly people?

O Lord, thank you for making us your sons and daughters through Christ.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Saturday in Ordinary Time

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Friday in Ordinary Time

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul urges us all to live in a manner worthy of the call of Christ. It is a calling that emphasizes our oneness in Christ. We are called to be united to our Heavenly Father through the Body and Blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The act of joining our hearts, minds, and spirits to God requires us to trust in Him, to be humble enough to submit our will to His, and to strive to preserve our unity. We are called to faith, hope, and love. We are called to be gentle and patient and bear with one another. We are called to live out our baptismal vocation and imitate Jesus Christ. We are called to be willing to be a prisoner for the Lord and put His Will before ours.

Are we willing to suffer and be imprisoned in order to follow God’s Will? How can we learn to bear with others in patience and mildness? What can we do in our lives to be more united with God and all His children?

O Lord, we wish only to answer the call you’ve given us to be united with you and your children in faith, hope, and love.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Thursday in Ordinary Time

I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

If we pray to God, He will save us through His Beloved Son and strengthen us with His Holy Spirit. He will give us every blessing so we might grow in faith, hope, and love. He will help to build up and support our inner selves and give us the confidence we need to believe He is always by our side. His Love will pour out upon us so our souls might grow in fertile soil, rooted in His commandments, teachings, and inspirations. He will nourish our faith, hope, and charity, giving us every grace to bear good fruits for Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. He will fill us with Himself so we might reflect Him more perfectly and magnify Him in all we think, say, and do. So, let us prepare ourselves for Him and welcome Him as our Heavenly Father, our Beloved Brother, and our Holy Spouse.

Do we act as if we are members of God’s Holy Family? How can we become more faithful children to our Heavenly Father? Are we willing to let God into our lives so He might dwell within us, strengthen us, and fill us with His Love?

O Lord, we kneel before you and ask that you might grant us your strength and comprehension.

Amen

Twenty-Ninth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the Church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens. This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.

After his imprisonment, Paul could have been plagued by doubts and worries, but instead, he trusts in God’s Divine Plan. He firmly believes he was given the grace to preach to the Gentiles, spread the Good News to them, and bring to light for all God’s Divine Plan. As such, his faith is not shaken by his captivity. He knows sometimes doing God’s Will requires sacrifices from us. Just as Jesus sacrificed himself for us, so we must be willing to do the same for him and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Are we willing to suffer for God’s Glory and for the good of others? How can we put the graces God has given us to better use? How can we be bolder in speech and confident in our relationship with Jesus and all of God’ children?

O Lord, we place our confidence in you and your Divine Plan.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We, as Christians, have been brought together by Jesus. We have been built into a living temple so we might give glory to God and be a place of repose for Him. Jesus showed us how to unite ourselves with God by knowing, loving, and serving Him and His children. He also reminded us we all have the image of God within us and as such we all deserve to be treated with dignity, charity, and mercy. He wants us to become friends in the faith and co-workers in his vineyard. He holds us all together through the Way, the Truth, and the Life he has given us and the Church he left behind. He did all these things so we all might become a dwelling place of God in the Spirit and, hopefully, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves, making every effort to uphold the temple of God within us.

How can we be more united with Christ and his Holy Church? What sacrifices and acts of charity and mercy can we make to build up the Living Temple of Our Lord? Do we treat everyone we meet with the same dignity, mercy, and love as Jesus did in his most holy life?

O Lord, built us into a united dwelling place for you.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Monday in Ordinary Time

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.

God brought us to life through and with Christ. We gave us our lives for a purpose and wants us to fulfill His Will. As such, He gives us every grace we need to accomplish His Divine Plan. He wants to think, speak, and work through us so He might bring about the greatest good for all His beloved children. We are hampered in doing His Will when we fall into sin and indifference. However, He is always besides us, offering forgiveness and mercy so we might repent and do what is right and good. He is kind and loving and provides us all we could ever hope for in our lives. He offers us salvation as a gift and if we are humble and trusting enough, we receive it with open minds, hearts, and spirits.

For what purpose has God given us life? How are we fulfilling or denying this purpose? How can we accomplish God's Will more faithfully, hopefully, and lovingly?

O Lord, we thank you for the immeasurable graces you've given us.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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.

Jesus is our high priest. He is the one who has given us our faith, proclaimed the Gospel, and shown us the Way, the Truth, and the Life and we are forever in debt to him. He is also the perfect example of holiness, providing us with a model of living righteous and loving lives. At first, we might be intimidated by Jesus’ way of life, but because he was one of us and knows what it means to be human, we should not be afraid to come to him in our times of need. He knows what it is like to be tempted, to suffer, and to be mocked. The only difference is he remained without sin. However, he doesn’t hold our weaknesses against us, not if we come to him in humility, seek his mercy, and allow him to bestow his grace on us. He is our high priest and as such he strives to lead us to eternal life with him, His Father, and the Holy Spirit. So, let us go confidently to the throne of the Holy Trinity and trust God will sympathize with and forgive us our trespasses.

Do we trust that God is merciful? Have we sought out Jesus through our prayers and asked for his Divine Mercy? How can we imitate Jesus and become priestly preachers and doers of God’s Will?

O Lord, we confidently approach your throne, asking for your mercy and grace.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Saturday in Ordinary Time

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.

We all should pray that the eyes of our hearts might be enlightened by God. There are many areas in our lives where we are blind to what is right and good. Sometimes these blind spots are people, other times they are worldly things, and still more are evil inclinations. However, when our hearts are open to the hope that belongs to our calling to know, love, and serve God and His children, then we free ourselves from these blindfolds. Once enlightened, we can accept our inheritance as Christians and give glory to God for all He has done for us through the greatness of his power. What a wonderful gift God gave us through the Word Made Flesh! He united Himself to our lives through the life of His Beloved Son and raised us from dust and ashes to be heirs to the Kingdom. All we have to do is accept our roles as good and faithful children, who trust in their Heavenly Father and do His Will.

Do we pray to God for enlightenment? What can we do to become better heirs to the Kingdom of God? How can we thank God for all He has given us through His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, may the eyes of our hearts be enlightened.

Amen.