Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. For your name's sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. Among the nations' idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O LORD, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things.

Before we can make a good confession, we need to recognize our wickedness. We have to examine our consciences and look at ourselves in the mirror... warts and all. We have to be willing to recognize our failings and faults, our sins and indifference, our doubts and fears. We have to make our hearts humble and give a good confession. We have to do penance and seek to sin no more. We have to put aside our false idols and rededicate ourselves to God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. Because the only one who can nourish our spirits and lead them into life everlasting is our Lord and God.

Do we make regular examinations of our consciences? How do we prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation? What can we do to show God we are sorry for our and are serious about amending our lives?

O Lord, pour your grace and mercy into our hearts.

Amen.

Monday, July 30, 2018

Seventeenth Monday in Ordinary Time

Again I went to the Parath, sought out and took the loincloth from the place where I had hid it. But it was rotted, good for nothing! Then the message came to me from the LORD: Thus says the LORD: So also I will allow the pride of Judah to rot, the great pride of Jerusalem. This wicked people who refuse to obey my words, who walk in the stubbornness of their hearts, and follow strange gods to serve and adore them, shall be like this loincloth which is good for nothing.

If we don't obey God's Divine Word and follow His Way, Truth, and Life, then we are good for nothing. If false idols rule our lives and sins chain us, then we shall rot away. If our hearts are stubborn and our minds prideful, we shall be empty of all good. Nothing we think, say, or do will amount to anything. We shall be hollow vessels, clanging cymbals, rotten fruits. It is only when we put God first and foremost in our lives that we bear good fruits, sing God's praise worthily, and fill ourselves with God's Love, Mercy, and Goodness. Once we do that, then, and only then, will we be good for something.

Are there areas of our lives which are good for nothing? How can we rid ourselves of these weaknesses and put our time, talents, and treasures to greater use? What can we do to avoid rotting away from sin and indifference?

O Lord, make us good for something.

Amen.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Seventeenth Sunday 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.

We are all called to live in Christian unity with each other. This is what Jesus wanted for his people. He wanted us to be one in body and spirit, sharing in one hope... the second coming of himself and the salvation of our souls. He wanted to be our one and only Lord, leading us in one faith and one baptism. He wanted his Heavenly Father to be ours so we might be one holy family. The key to unity with God is to humbly accept God as our Father, our Brother, and our Spiritual Spouse.

Are we living in a manner worthy of the call we have received? How can we cultivate the humility, gentleness, and patience to bear with one another through love? What can we do to keep our unity with God and others?

O Lord, give us the grace to live out our baptismal calling.

Amen.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Sixteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Sixteenth Friday in Ordinary Time

I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. When you multiply and become fruitful in the land, says the LORD, They will in those days no longer say, "The ark of the covenant of the LORD!" They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another.

God gives us many shepherds to help us through our lives. He gives us our families, our friends, our teachers, our priests and religious, and our neighbors. They might not be perfect or even good shepherds, but God always gives us enough spiritual guidance from the Holy Spirit to know who is a good and bad influence on us. He always gives us what we need to live wisely and prudently and help others to do that same. If we know something or someone is no good for us, then we have to give it or them up. If we are faithful to God, then our memories of what we have given up will fade away and we shall not miss what has been sacrificed for the greater good of our souls.

Who are the good and faithful shepherds in our lives? How can listen to them and God more faithfully? What things or people do we need to give up in order to be holier?

O Lord, appoint your shepherds over us and lead us to the Promised Land.

Amen.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Be amazed at this, O heavens, and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD. Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; They have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water.

We are constantly tempted to forsake God and try to build lives for ourselves. This spirit of selfishness and pride is one that leads to brokenness, emptiness, and death. Without the living waters of God, we dry up spiritually, mentally, and physically. We dig ourselves deeper and deeper into sin and are buried in fears, doubts, and worldly anxieties. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Instead of selfishness and pride, we can build our lives on selflessness and faith in God just like saints Joachim and Anne. They trusted in God, they placed their lives at His service and did everything He asked of them. They loved God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strengths and passed on this devotion to their daughter, Mary, Our Heavenly Queen and Mother.

Are there areas in our lives where we are trying to be the builders and not letting God build for us? What sins, fears, doubts, and worldly anxieties are we allowing to bury us in guilt and worry? How can we become more faithful to God in all things, like the parents of Mary?

O Lord, we thank you for such great spiritual grandparents as saints Joachim and Anne.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

When we are suffering trials in body, mind, or spirit, it is difficult to see that God is with us. However, He is and if we trust in Him and allow Him to strengthen us, then no obstacles will be too difficult to overcome. We may be afflicted by the world, but not constrained in our faith. We may be perplexed by our problems, but not driven to despair. We may be persecuted by our enemies, but never abandoned. We may be struck down by some hardship, but not destroyed. This is because although we might suffer in body, mind, and spirit, our sufferings are united to the life of Christ. In him, they find their meaning and purpose as a sacrifice finds its meaning and purpose on the altar. So, let us manifest the life of Jesus in our mortal flesh by making ourselves into living sacraments of sacrifice and grace for the glory of God and the good of all His children.

What afflictions, confusions, and persecutions are we suffering? How can we make them into meaningful sacrifices to God? How can we die to ourselves so that we might live more perfectly with God?

O Lord, we carry your dying within us so that we might live your life.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Sixteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

God is a forgiving Father, willing to always take us back into His good graces. He is a merciful Son, willing to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is a compassionate Spirit, willing to inspire and guide us along the path to holiness. If we turn to Him and ask His forgiveness, He will remove our guilt, pardon us, and cleanse us of our sins. He will always be faithful to us, if we are willing to be faithful to Him.

Do we seek God's Forgiveness for our failings, faults, and sins? Are we as forgiving of others as God is of us? How can we model our lives upon the compassion of God?

O Lord, help us to reflect your compassion to the whole world.

Amen.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Sixteenth Monday in Ordinary Time

With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.

God requires only three things from us: to do what is right by following His commandments, to love goodness by becoming Christ-like in thought, word, and work, and to walk humbly with Him in faith. The world tries to distract us from doing these things. Our own pride can cause us to disregard these pillars of our spiritual lives. However, there is no replacement for these. No offerings can make up for our sins if we do not do what is right, love goodness, and walk humbly with our God. Our penances, mortification, alms, sacrifices, prayers, and good works will gain us nothing if they are done for the wrong reasons or in the wrong spirit. So, let us make sure our souls are properly aligned with the commandments of our Heavenly Father, the teachings of Christ, and the inspirations Holy Spirit.

Are we doing what is right and avoiding evil? How can we cultivate a deeper and more fruitful love of goodness? What actions can we take to ensure we are walking humbly with God and not away from Him?

O Lord, give us the minds to know what is right, the hearts to love goodness, and the wills to walk humbly with you, now and forever.

Amen.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was meant to unite all people by offering forgiveness to all. For Jesus, it didn’t matter who they were, where they were born, or what religion they believed in before he preached to them. What mattered was they followed the Way, listened to the Truth, and lived the Life of a Christian. By doing so, all his disciples were united to each other in One Body through the sacraments and the one, holy, and apostolic Church. He wished by his death on the cross to bring all people into peace and harmony with each other... a wish we all should share and strive toward as best we can in a flawed and divisive world. Thankfully, with God on our side, we can cast down the walls of prejudice, anger, and selfishness that rise up to keep us apart from one another. For it is when these walls are broken down that we are freed from the prisons of our egos and hatreds.

What are we doing to bring people together in Christ? How can we unite people in our faith? In what ways can we become peace-makers?

O Lord, break down the walls that separate us from you and each other.

Amen.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Fifteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches; In the morning light they accomplish it when it lies within their power. They covet fields, and seize them; houses, and they take them; They cheat an owner of his house, a man of his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I am planning against this race an evil from which you shall not withdraw your necks; Nor shall you walk with head high, for it will be a time of evil.

The evil we do will be repaid. The only question is whether it is repaid through the sacrament of reconciliation and time in Purgatory or in the fires of Hell. These are our only options and, in the end, we will choose one or the other... and if we fail to choose, we will pay for our indifference with eternal torment. Therefore, let us choose what is right and good... to confess our sins with humble and contrite hearts, to do penance, to avoid temptations, and sin no more.

What evils have we plotted and done? How can we repay God and those whom we’ve harmed? Are we ready to amend our lives and be good and faithful servants of God and all His children?

O Lord, uproot our sins and purify our hearts.

Amen.

Friday, July 20, 2018

Fifteenth Friday in Ordinary Time

"O LORD, remember how faithfully and wholeheartedly I conducted myself in your presence, doing what was pleasing to you!" And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: "Go, tell Hezekiah: Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you: in three days you shall go up to the LORD's temple; I will add fifteen years to your life. I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; I will be a shield to this city."

Our prayers and petitions never fall on deaf ears with God. If we ask for what is good for us and He deems it necessary for our salvation, then He will answer our request. He wants us all to have a good life. Not one of worldly success, but one of spiritual success. He will never give us something that isn’t good for us. He will always provide us with the gifts, talents, and graces we need to overcome all the obstacles in the way of our salvation. He will heal us of our sins and rescue us from our foes if we come to Him in prayer and ask for His help with humble and contrite hearts.

Do we pray to God for help with all our difficulties? Do we thank Him for all our successes? How can we conduct ourselves in God’s presence, doing what is pleasing to Him?

O Lord, hear our prayers.

Amen.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Fifteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world's inhabitants learn justice. O LORD, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.

God gives those who follow Him a peace that cannot be shaken by temptations, worries, and other worldly fears. It isn't a peace that promises no harm will come to us or we won't suffer, but rather if we choose to do God's Will, He will give us a sense of calm even in the midst of our sometimes-stormy lives. He will smooth out our path to Him with consolations, inspirations, and other graces that will help us through our dark nights. All we must do is keep His commandments, love Him, and love His children. This is the vigil He wants us to keep and one we can all succeed at if we prepare our souls for the trials of the night and trust in His Goodness.

Do we pray for God's peace to sustain us throughout our days and our lives? Are we willing to suffer patiently in order to do God's Will? How can we stand vigil and do everything God wants us to do with our time, talents, and treasures?

O Lord, smooth our ways and grant us your peace so we might accomplish your Will in all things.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Fifteenth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Will the axe boast against him who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it? As if a rod could sway him who lifts it, or a staff him who is not wood! Therefore the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness, And instead of his glory there will be kindling like the kindling of fire.

We are but servants of God. We are tools and vessels created by God to do His Will. If there is any goodness that comes from our thoughts, words, and works, it is God's Goodness, not our own. If we succeed at a task given to us, the laurels aren't ours to claim. We must guard against the temptation to become proud of our accomplishments. After all, they aren't really ours. They are God's first and foremost. We merely manifested His Goodness, Love, and Mercy. Our good fruits do not belong to us, but to God. He has the first right to them and we should be thankful to Him for whatever He might give us from His bounty. If we fail to do so, then like Assyria, we will have everything taken away from us. We will be left with nothing. But, if we boast rather of God and exalt Him above ourselves, then we shall be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams.

Do we boast of ourselves or of God? How can we make it a habit to give God thanks for every good thought, word, and work we have been given? What can we do to exalt God in our lives and humble ourselves?

O Lord, may our lips ever boast of you and your Goodness and not our own.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Fifteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!

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

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

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

Amen.

Monday, July 16, 2018

Fifteenth Monday in Ordinary Time

Though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow.

Our prayers are only as effective as our purity of heart allows them to be. If we are tainted by sin, our prayers are also tainted. If we pray for selfish reasons or out of a sense of entitlement, then our prayers will not be heard. If we pray for help, but do not help others, then we shall receive exactly what we have given... nothing. In order for our prayers to reach God's ear, they need to be freed from our sins, failings, faults, fears, doubts, and worldly desires. Only when they are liberated from these things can they soar up to the heavens and reach our Heavenly Father. However, freeing ourselves from these evils isn't easy. It requires us to put away our misdeeds, to cease doing evil, to learn to do good, to make justice our aim, to redress the wronged, to answer the plea of others, and defend those who have no defenders. Doing all these things mean putting God and others before ourselves and being willing to sacrifice everything we have in order to do God's Will and aid our brothers and sisters in Christ.

How can we purify our hearts? What can we do to right our wrongs and bear good fruits? Are we willing to make the sacrifices necessary for us to become living sacraments of God's Love, Mercy, and Grace?

O Lord, wash us clean so we might know, love, and serve You and all your children.

Amen.

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.

We all exist for the praise of God’s Glory and to fulfill God’s Will in all things. We are called to become manifestations of His Goodness, Love, and Mercy to everyone we meet. We are asked to be His hands, doing His Work. We are asked to be His feet, walking His Way. We are asked to be His ears, listening to others so we might be of service to them. We are asked to be His tongues, proclaiming the Good News, consoling others, and giving good and holy advice. If we do all of this faithfully, then we shall be sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit and become more perfectly God’s possession... a true slave of Christ.

What do we do each day to give God the glory and praise He deserves? How can we become good and faithful manifestations of God’s Will? How can we align our lives more perfectly with God’s Divine Plan?

O Lord, seal us with the promise of your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Fourteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it and said, "See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" "Here I am," I said; "send me!"

Here I am, send me. These are the words all of us should have on our lips at all times. And, like Isaiah, we also need to be cleansed of our sins if we want to be able to succeed in our mission. We must be purged of all those fears, doubts, evils, and indifferences that keep us from being good and faithful servants to God. Yes, we can do good even as sinners, but we do a greater good if we can perform our works of charity and mercy while in a state of grace. Just as a bell rings out louder when it is unmuffled, so too our thoughts, words, and deeds ring truer and have greater effect when they are untarnished by our sins and imperfections. So, let us allow God to purge us of our sins through the sacrament of reconciliation so we might be better prophets of His Holy Word.

Do we take advantage of our opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation? Are we willing to allow God to send us where He needs us? What can we do to become better prophets of the Good News?

O Lord, purge us from our sins.

Amen.

Friday, July 13, 2018

Fourteenth Friday in Ordinary Time

Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and return to the LORD; Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; We shall say no more, 'Our god,' to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion."

We commit many crimes against God and others throughout our lives. Some are great, many are small. However, all need to be forgiven. And so, we, like the Israelites, are asked to come before God through the sacrament of reconciliation and ask for forgiveness for all our sins. Only after being freed from our sins through a good confession and penance, can we offer to God all our good works to full effect. It is the difference between offering our Lord and King a treasure covered with filth or one polished and clean. The former He will reject, while the latter He will accept. It also means remembering all of our good thoughts, words, and works are not ours. They are God's and we should be ever thankful for the gifts and talents He has given us and be more than willing to give them all back to Him whenever He desires them.

Have we sought forgiveness for all our sins great and small? Did we make a good confession and penance? Are we willing to turn over all our good works to God to do with as He wills?

O Lord, forgive us our iniquities and cleanse us of our sins.

Amen.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Fourteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot

Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain down justice upon you.

If we want to bear good fruits and be worthy of entering the gates of Heaven, then we need to sow justice in our lives. We need to make sure we give God what is rightfully His and treat others as we would want to be treated. Living piously is the only way to prepare our souls for the harvest. It is only by uprooting the weeds or sin and clearing the stones of stubbornness that we can make ourselves ready to live life abundantly and produce a thousand-fold the graces God has given us.

Do we seek to be just with all people, even those who are strangers and enemies? Do we treat others as Jesus would treat them? Are we willing to make the sacrifices that are necessary in order to bear good fruits?

O Lord, sow in us your justice so we might reap the fruit of piety.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Fourteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin. Though I write for him my many ordinances, they are considered as a stranger's. Though they offer sacrifice, immolate flesh and eat it, the LORD is not pleased with them. He shall still remember their guilt and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.

Just because we feel sorry for our sins doesn't mean they will be forgiven. Just because we confess our sins doesn't mean we are absolved. Just because we try to make things right with those we've sinned against doesn't mean we've paid the full price. We need contrition, confession, and penance, all together, to truly be forgiven. We can't leave out one or two of these elements of reconciliation and think we are freed from our sins. We need to be humble and contrite, firmly intending to avoid temptations and sin no more. We need to make a good confession, which means examining our consciences in a serious manner. We need to do our penance with a spirit of thanksgiving and joyfully. When all of these are present, then and only then are we forgiven.

Do we firmly intend to avoid temptations and evil? Do we make contrite and meaningful confessions? Do we seek to make amends with God and all whom we have harmed through sin?

O Lord, make our hearts into true altars of forgiveness.

Amen.

Monday, July 9, 2018

Fourteenth Monday in Ordinary Time

I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD.

God wants to espouse us. He wants to be united to us forever. He has adopted us as His sons and daughters and wants only the best for us. This is why He calls each of us to lives of righteousness and justice. This is why He pours His Divine Love and Mercy upon us... so we might accept that love and bear it into the world. He wants us to magnify His goodness through our good thoughts, words, and works. He wants us to be as faithful to Him as He is to us. He wants us to know, love, and serve Him as He knows, loves, and serves us. He doesn’t ask us to do anything for Him that He hasn’t already done for us. His is a perfect love that unites us as Christians and we should strive to come together with Him as our Heavenly Father, Brother, and Spouse.

Do we strive for righteousness and justice? Are we growing in love and mercy? How can we be more faithful to our Lord and God?

O Lord, be with us forever and ever.

Amen.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Thirteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

On that day I will raise up the fallen hut of David; I will wall up its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, That they may conquer what is left of Edom and all the nations that shall bear my name, say I, the LORD, who will do this.

When we fall into sin, our souls are like a ruined city. There are breaches in our spiritual defenses, weaknesses our enemies can exploit, and we are despoiled. However, when we make a good confession and do penance, our souls are rebuilt by God’s Grace. His Divine Mercy raises us up from the rubble and makes us whole again. His Strength becomes our strength and we are able to overcome temptations to sin and the wickedness of the Devil. We are able to conquer our sinful selves and fashion ourselves into a people of God.

Do we call upon God to rebuild our faith lives after we fall into sin? What can we do to prepare ourselves to be rebuilt in spirit? How can we conquer all those things that lead us into sin?

O Lord, raise us up from the ruins that our sins leave behind.

Amen.

Friday, July 6, 2018

Thirteenth Friday in Ordinary Time

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land! "When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain, and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?" We will diminish the containers for measuring, add to the weights, and fix our scales for cheating! We will buy the lowly man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"

We must take extreme care to avoid trampling the needy and cheating others of what is rightfully theirs. We might not think we do such things, but we all fail to do good in some way or another whether out of ignorance, indifference, or selfishness. When we see others in need, our first and only response should be to give aid to the other person as best we can. This isn’t always easy, especially when we are “busy” with our own pursuits or worrying about our own problems. However, when we allow ourselves to deny another what is right, we cheat them of their due and we deny God. We diminish ourselves by our lack of love, mercy, and compassion. So, let us be on guard for these opportunities to be the charitable arm of Jesus and bear his goodness to all whom we meet.

Have we trampled the needy by ignoring or dismissing them? How can we make up for these past transgressions against God and His children? What can we do to become more charitable and compassionate?

O Lord, help us to be upright toward the needy and protect the poor of the land.

Amen.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Thirteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' Now hear the word of the LORD!"

Amos didn't set out to be a prophet. He was a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees before he received his calling. In a similar way, none of us daydreamed of being prophets when we grew up. However, as Christians, we are all called to be prophets, leading people deeper into the faith by thoughts, words, and deeds. We might not wake up each morning and receive a vision or hear the voice of God as the prophets of old did, but we all see the Truth and hear the voice of our conscience. We all know when others are in need of a good listener and a word of spiritual advice. Our prophesies might not be as profound as the prophets who came before us, but they can have a great effect on those who hear us and are willing to listen to what God is saying through us.

Are we answering our calling to be prophets of the Good News? Are we listening for the inspirations and guidance of the Holy Spirit? How can we manifest God's Divine Word to others?

O Lord, give us the words we need in order to bring your Divine Word to all those whom we meet each day.

Amen.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Thirteenth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Seek good and not evil, that you may live; Then truly will the LORD, the God of hosts, be with you as you claim! Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate; Then it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will have pity on the remnant of Joseph.

To be truly free, we must be willing to give up our selfish and sinful pursuits and choose to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. This free choice can be a difficult one and the Devil will do everything he can to convince us that we are enslaving ourselves unnecessarily. He will try to convince us it is better to rule ourselves, then to be ruled by righteousness and goodness. However, his assertion is a lie... as are all his temptations. The choice we are given may be made of our free will, but in the end, we are choosing who will be our master... God or the Devil. Good or Evil. Justice or Injustice.

Are we seeking good and avoiding evil? How can we cultivate a deeper love of the good and a hatred of evil? What can we do to make the right choice and choose God over ourselves?

O Lord, we choose you above all.

Amen.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

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.

As Christians, our belief in Jesus brings us together. It forges us into one, united people of God. It transforms us into living temples built upon the foundations of love for the Holy Trinity and all of God's children. There are no strangers among us, but rather fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We are built together by our Heavenly Father in order to do His Will and bring about His Kingdom. Our time, talents, and treasures are given to us for this purpose. We are meant to use them to build up His Church and woe to us if we waste or bury them.

Is God the Father the foundation of our lives? Is Jesus Christ the capstone of our faith? Are our hearts sacred temples adorned with the inspirations and graces of the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, make us into dwelling places for you.

Amen.

Monday, July 2, 2018

Thirteenth Monday in Ordinary Time

For three crimes of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke my word; Because they sell the just man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way. Son and father go to the same prostitute, profaning my holy name. Upon garments taken in pledge they recline beside any altar; And the wine of those who have been fined they drink in the house of their god.

Even God's Divine Mercy has limits and woe to us if we do not change our ways. God expects the best from us, not the worst. He expects us to do good and avoid evil. He expects us to be holy and resist temptations. If we fail His expectations, we will pay a price on earth and in purgatory... or worst of all... Hell. The sins we commit have a gravity to them and each on pulls us farther and farther away from God. If we do not sever ties with these evils, then eventually they will pull us so far into the world that we will lose sight of God. God will give us every chance to free ourselves, but He won't force us to become his good and faithful servants. It is up to us to accept His help and rid ourselves of our faults, failures, and wickedness. Only then can we be worthy of joining Him in paradise.

Are we living up to God's expectations for us? In what ways do we need to change our lives? How can we accomplish this conversion?

O Lord, we are heartily sorry for our transgressions against you. Help us to make amends for our crimes against you and your children.

Amen.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.

Jesus gives us the perfect example of what it means to be detached from our goods and our very lives. He was willing to give up everything in order to pay the price for our sins. In a similar manner, we should be willing to sacrifice all that we have... our goods, our consolations, our merits, our lives... for the good of others. This is not because Jesus wants us to feel burdened, but rather because He wants us to do onto others as he has done for us. He has never asked us to do something he didn’t do in his own holy life. Yes, our sacrifices might cause us some difficulties and sufferings, but if they are done for the glory of God and the good of others, then God will give us the graces we need to thrive in our faith. Furthermore, if ever we are in need of the goods of others, then God will supply our needs from their abundance just as He asked us to do when we were able to provide. At one point or another in our lives, we are all poor and if we want to be taken care of, then we ought to make our own riches available to God and others.

Are we detached from our goods? Are we willing to share everything we have with God and His children? How can we make our time, talents, and treasures more available to God?

O Lord, we offer you our abundance for your glory and the good of all souls.

Amen.