Twenty-First Friday in Ordinary Time

For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Signs and wisdom alone aren’t enough to lead us to the right path in life. We can’t depend on signs because we are human and often misread the signs in our lives. Much better to depend upon the sacraments, especially Communion and Reconciliation. The graces the sacraments give us are there to lead us where we need to go and help us to do what we need to do. We can’t depend upon our own wisdom because we are flawed and do not know everything as God does. Instead, we need to depend upon the wisdom of God and trust that our faith, hope, and love will guide us along the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ. Depending upon ourselves leads to pride and foolishness, but if we depend upon God, then we shall be wiser and stronger for it.

Are we overly dependent upon signs to lead us? Have we depended too much on our own wisdom and not on God’s? How can we become more dependent upon God in all things?

O Lord, we place our trust in your wisdom and strength, not our own.

Amen.

Twenty-First Thursday in Ordinary Time

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. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have been enriched by God in every way and yet we often take His gifts for granted. He has given us life. He has given us His Beloved Son. He has given us graces and talents. He has given us knowledge, wisdom, and free will. He has given us every spiritual gift we need to grow in faith, hope, and love. He has given us many good things from the moment of our conception and will continue to do so for all eternity if we let Him. He has given us His friendship and wants nothing but the best for us. However, He will not force us to give Him thanks or to accept His gifts. He allows us the freedom to choose between our selfish selves or Him. Hopefully, we'll make the right choice and live our lives in fellowship with Him forever and ever.

Do we give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us? Are we using our time, talents, and treasures for the glory of God and the good of others? What can we do to become more faithful followers of our most generous God?

O Lord, we thank you for all the spiritual gifts you have given us.

Amen.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 

Although we shouldn't shun other people's charity, neither should we impose on it unnecessarily. We should seek to provide for ourselves as best we can given our circumstances. Sometimes we will need help in one shape, form, or fashion, but we should strive to be sufficient enough for today... and perhaps enough to help others as well. And if we have received the charity and mercy of others, then we must be willing to repay that when we are doing well ourselves. It is the least we can do in recognition that we have been helped ourselves. So let us imitate John the Baptist, Paul, and Jesus by doing the best we can to provide for ourselves so we might provide for others as well.

Are we imposing on other people's charity? How can we be more charitable with what we have? In what ways can we increase the time, talents, and treasures we spend on helping others?

O Lord, help us to give and receive charity with humble and thankful hearts.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Let no one deceive you in any way. To this end he has also called you through our Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.

There are many people who would deceive us in this world. They would lead us astray in one way or another by convincing us there is no such thing as sin. Or we are holier than others. Or we must do some evil for the greater good. They will seek to compromise our faith, our hope, and our love in various ways... through temptations, indifference, anxieties, fears, and doubts. However, if we ground our lives in the Gospels and stand firm to our Christian traditions and the teachings of Christ, then we shall be able to withstand their assaults. Our hearts will be forged into fortresses dedicated to the Lord through our holy thoughts, words, and works.

Are there people in our lives who are trying to lead us astray? What might we do to lead them to God without imperiling ourselves? How can we strengthen ourselves in faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, let no one deceive us. Let your truth reign over us forever and ever.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Monica

We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

God makes us worthy of our calling through His graces. He gives us the virtues, goodness, and strength to be good and faithful Christians. He is the one who brings to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of our faith. We are His instruments, His living vessels and our primary purpose on this earth is to do His Will, to glorify Him, and love Him and His children. It is by doing these things with a humble and self-sacrificing heart that we are saved and eventually glorified. Moreover, we are not only responsible for ourselves, but also the faith lives of those around us. We are called to do everything we can in order to help our family, friends, neighbors, strangers, and even our enemies to become instruments of God's Love, Mercy, and Grace.

Are we putting our time, talents, and treasures to good use? Are we making every effort to fulfill the purposes God has given us? What are we doing to help others fulfill their purposes?

O Lord, make us worthy of our callings.

Amen.

Twenty-First Sunday 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.

St. Paul gives us an evocative comparison between the relationship of Christ and the Church and a husband and wife. It is an image we all would do well to keep in mind. We are all members of the Body of Christ, of the Church, with Jesus as our Head. He gives us direction and purpose, while we do God’s Will through our thoughts, words, and works. We are Jesus’ hands and feet… his way to interact with the world. This is why we are called to be submissive to him. Not because he wants to rob us of our free will, but because he wants to show us how to fulfill our free will through acts of goodness. He is devoted to us and wants what is best for us and this is why he asks for us to listen to him and follow his lead. He only asks us to do what is right and avoid what is wrong because he loves us and doesn’t want us to distance ourselves from him via sin and selfishness. He wants to be one flesh with us all... united forever.

Are we acting like the spouses of Christ? Are we living up to our responsibilities as members of Christ’s Body? How can we become better followers of Jesus?

O Lord, we wish only to be one flesh, one heart, and one spirit with you.

Amen.

Twentieth Saturday in Ordinary Time

I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple by way of the gate which faces the east, but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court. And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD. Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple, while the man stood beside me. The voice said to me: Son of man, this is where my throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of my feet; here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.

If we want to spend eternity with God, then we have to do everything within our power to transform our hearts into temples for the Lord. We need to place the foundations of our lives upon his commandments, build the walls of our faith around the teachings of Jesus, and shelter ourselves beneath the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. We have to cleanse and keep clean our consciences and keep watch against those things that would defile the sacred space we’ve created for God. We cannot let temptation or indifference ruin our spiritual temples. We must give glory to God for all He has done for us and thank Him for providing all we need to build our hearts into living temples to Him. We must welcome God’s Presence in our lives through constant prayer, frequent communion, and acts of charity and mercy toward others.

How can we make our hearts into temples to the Lord? What can we do to give glory to God with our every thought, word, and work? In what ways have we made our hearts into shelters for those who are in need or suffering?

O Lord, dwell without our hearts.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

"Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

God wants us all to be able to join Him in His Kingdom. He gives us every grace to lead holy lives. He gives us every warning against sin and indifference. He offers us mercy and forgiveness for when we fall. He provides us with examples of good and faithful servants in the blessed and the saints of the Church. He has given us the Blessed Virgin Mary as an intercessor and His Beloved Son as a teacher and a model. He has supplied us with every advantage in our spiritual lives. If we want to be good and holy, then we have no excuse not to be so. And if we do remain pure and faithful, then one day we shall join Him in Heaven and feast with Him for all eternity.

Are we taking advantage of all the graces God has given us? What are we doing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, his mother, and all the saints? How can we remain good and faithful servants in a world that tempts us to evil and selfishness?

O Lord, we desire to be with you forever and ever.

Amen.

Twentieth Thursday in Ordinary Time

I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Each of us need to be cleanse of our sins from time to time. We have to be purged of our impurities and stripped of our false idols. We often need to approach our lives with a new or renewed spirit of holiness. It is through the sacrament of reconciliation that we can be purified and our hearts of stone softened. The confession of our sins and humble penance also grants us the graces we need to live by God's commandments, teachings, and inspirations. Taking these steps goes a long way toward bringing us closer to the Heavenly Kingdom and life everlasting with our Lord and God.

What sins and imperfections do we need to be cleansed of? How can we be more receptive of the Spirit of God in our lives? Do we make regular and meaningful use of the sacrament of reconciliation?

O Lord, cleanse us from our sins and soften our hearts.

Amen.

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts.

Woe to us all if we do not do our part in shepherding people. Like Jesus, we are all called to be shepherds to our fellow man. We are asked to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. We are tasked with caring for the sick and injured, bringing back the lost, and treating others with compassion. These are all things Jesus did during his most holy life and we would do well to imitate him from the moment we rise in the morning to the moment we fall asleep at night.

What are we doing to help shepherd the people in our lives? How are we bringing them closer to God? In what ways are we being charitable and merciful to those we meet each day?

O Lord, make us good shepherds.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope

Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god, Therefore I will bring against you foreigners, the most barbarous of nations. They shall draw their swords against your beauteous wisdom, they shall run them through your splendid apparel. They shall thrust you down to the pit, there to die a bloodied corpse, in the heart of the sea.

Pride can undo all our good works. It can make us think we know better than God. It can convince us that we deserve all the honor, glory, and praise for what we do. However, the spirit of pride only leads to our destruction. While it may lift us up in the world, it tears down our relationship with God. We become new Adams and Eves, deciding we can discern right and wrong for ourselves without thought to God’s commandments, teachings, or inspirations. The only protection from this deadly sin is the virtue of humility. We must be willing to humble ourselves even in our successes. We cannot let our selfish inclinations lead us astray. Instead, we must put aside our self interests and be willing to make ourselves into living sacrifices to God and for the good of others. Only then will we be like God... because we will have put on His Will.

Are there areas of our lives where pride has crept in? Do we give all glory, honor, and praise to God for all the goods we have? How can we become humbler people?

O Lord, drive all pride out of us and replace it with humble trust in you.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, by a sudden blow I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes, but do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. Groan in silence, make no lament for the dead, bind on your turban, put your sandals on your feet, do not cover your beard, and do not eat the customary bread. That evening my wife died, and the next morning I did as I had been commanded.

When we suffer a loss in life, we mourn whatever has been taken away from us. Maybe it was a loved one, a possession, a job, or something else. No matter what, we cannot let ourselves be overcome by the loss. We must mourn and weep in light of what God is calling us to do. He doesn’t want all our energies to be spent on mourning and weeping. They will not bring back what is gone, nor will they lead us beyond our pain. Instead of focusing on the past, we must concentrate on the present in hopes of making a better future. This requires us to be able to detach ourselves from our losses and lean upon the Lord in our times of need and suffering.

Are there things in our lives that we have mourned for too long? How can we move past them and live more fruitful lives? What is God calling us to do now?

O Lord, turn our mourning into shouts of joy.

Amen.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Discerning God’s Will for us isn’t always easy. Yes, sometimes the path is clear, but other times we are faced with multiple ways to go forward and it is difficult to know which one is the best. Sometimes He is calling us to leave behind something. Other times He is asking us to try something new. Sometimes the changes in our lives are forced upon us by the loss of a job, a loved one, or some other circumstance. Other times we have time to prepare for a choice we know must be made. Whatever decisions we are faced with, the best way to undertake them is to pray and allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

What is the Will of God for us? How can we more faithfully discern the path God wants us to follow? How can we lead others to the right path, too?

O Lord, we thank you for everything you’ve done for us.

Amen.

Nineteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Turn and be converted from all your crimes, that they may be converted from all your crimes, that they may be no cause of guilt for you. Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in death of anyone who dies, says the Lord GOD. Return and live!

God judges us according to our ways. If we are virtuous and loving, then He judges us as good and faithful servants. If we are full of vices and hatred, then He will cast us into the fires of Hell. He is merciful, but also just. He will not grant us His forgiveness if we do not seek it or if we take it for granted. He only gives his compassion to those who are compassionate and cast away all their crimes. He wants us to make for ourselves new hearts and spirits that are fashioned in His likeness. It is only by becoming models of Him that we can hope to return to Him and live forever. 

Are we virtuous or full of vice? How can we turn away from our sins and be converted? What can we do to fashion new hearts and spirits in the image and likeness of God?

O Lord, convert us from our crimes and make new hearts within us.

Amen.

Nineteenth Friday in Ordinary Time

You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was, because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord GOD. But you were captivated by your own beauty, you used your renown to make yourself a harlot, and you lavished your harlotry on every passer-by, whose own you became. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were a girl, and I will set up an everlasting covenant with you, that you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord GOD.

We must always be on guard against ourselves. Selfishness and pride can lead us astray. They can cause us to misuse our time, talents, and treasures. The can take the beautiful image of God within us and disfigure it with sin and indifference. They can lead to bad habits and worse. Thankfully, God will never give up on us. He will try to bring us back into His good graces whenever we leave the narrow path to Heaven. This is why it is so important to learn to be selfless and humble. These virtues protect us against our darker inclinations and make it possible to resist temptation and be good and faithful children of God.

Are we on guard against our selfish and prideful inclinations? What can we do to protect the image of God within ourselves and live up to the New Covenant? How can we increase in virtue and decrease in vice?

O Lord, we thank you for pardoning all that we have done and failed to do.

Amen.

Nineteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

I did as I was told. During the day I brought out my baggage as though it were that of an exile, and at evening I dug a hole through the wall with my hand and, while they looked on, set out in the darkness, shouldering my burden.

We can only hope that when we stand before God at the Judgment we will be able to say, "I did as I was told." We might not always understand why God is asking us to think, say, or do something, but we must trust in Him. His Divine Plan is one that will lead to our betterment and our good if we allow it... if we follow it. We must be prepared for anything... to be exiled, to be persecuted, to lose everything... and to do it with humble and trusting hearts. We might have to leave our homes and set out into the dark unknown, but with God as our lamp and guide, we shall not go astray. We shall be able to shoulder our burdens patiently and without complaint.

Do we do as we are told by the commandments of the Father, the teachings of the Son, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit? Are we prepared to suffer and even die for God's Will? How can we grow in our trust of God's Goodness and Grace?

O Lord, we wish only to do as we are told by you.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.

Death will not prevail against us if we are true disciples of Christ. If we allow our thoughts, words, and works to be guided by the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, then we shall overcome sin and death. Just as Christ raised from the dead after his crucifixion, so too, we will rise if we put our trust in Him. God will bring us back to life if we if we belong to Him. And the only way to belong to Him is if we follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ, our Lord and Exemplar.

How can we lead life-giving lives that bring others and ourselves closer to God? What can we do to prepare ourselves for our death and the life that comes afterward? Do we pray for the souls of those whom have gone before us?

O Lord, give us your life-giving Spirit today so we might enjoy your presence forever and ever.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. Son of man, he then said to me, feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them.

The Word of God can nourish and sustain us if we allow it into our hearts. There is a feast of virtue contained within the pages of the Bible. There is a banquet of goodness set before us in the teachings of Christ. We are all asked to partake in this meal through the Liturgies of the Word and the Eucharist. Both mind and body are fed at the celebration of the Mass and we would do well not to starve ourselves of their bountiful fruits. Through the reading of the Scriptures and the sharing of the Blessed Sacrament, we are given heavenly foods that are sweeter than any honey and more fulfilling than any food.

Do we read Scripture every day and allow God to nourish our souls through His Divine Word? Do we make every effort to receive the Body and Blood of Christ whenever we can? Are we willing to bear God’s Good News to all, even if it means being persecuted for it?

O Lord, give us the good food of your Divine Word.

Amen.

Nineteenth Monday in Ordinary Time

Above the firmament over their heads something like a throne could be seen, looking like sapphire. Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man. Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum; downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire; he was surrounded with splendor. Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

The goal of our lives as Christians is not to be successful in the world, but rather to do good and avoid evil so that when we die, we might be worthy of eternal life with God. We must remember it is the throne of God we must pay homage to first and foremost in our lives. Our hope is to come before God on the Day of Judgment and be called His good and faithful servants. This is what we strive and suffer for... to be found worthy to stand in God's Divine Presence and be filled with love for Him forever and ever.

Are we striving toward the true ends of our lives? Or are we letting the world and its temptations and worries keep us apart from God? What can we do to prepare our bodies, minds, and hearts to worthily stand before the splendor of God for all eternity?

O Lord, may our every thought, word, and work glorify you and lead us closer and closer to life everlasting with you.

Amen.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So 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.

The road to Heaven isn’t always easy to follow, but God is very clear as to what He expects from us as we travel towards His Kingdom. He wants us to get rid of all the things that distract us from our goal or that might push others away from Him. That means removing bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling, and all malice from our lives. In their stead, we are called to be kind to one another, even our enemies. We are asked to be compassionate and as forgiving as God is with us. We are given Jesus as our guide in all things. If we follow him and imitate his Way of Love, then we shall become God’s beloved children. This may require many sacrifices on our part, just as it did for Christ, but if we face our crosses with trust and carry them without complaint or anger, then we shall find ourselves well on our way to the Kingdom of God.

In what ways have we grieved the Holy Spirit? How can we rid ourselves of all those things that keep us from being Christ-like? What can we do to become faithful imitators of Jesus?

O Lord, rid us of our evil inclinations and make us more and more like you.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Clare, virgin

Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live.

We must trust in God’s Justice if we want to be good and faithful servants to Him. We cannot let setbacks, sufferings, and challenges shake our faith. We cannot let the fortunes and successes of others, especially our enemies, make us jealous or angry. We do not know the whole picture. Perhaps our difficulties will lead us or others to a better place, situation, or life. We cannot predict what tomorrow will bring for us… good and bad. We can only trust that whatever it is... we will become better people if we take it on in the name of Jesus Christ and with the firm intention to do what is right and just.

Do we trust God as we ought to? Are we willing to let go of our feelings of disappointment and jealousy and give God a chance to work in our lives as He sees fit? How can we become more patient in our faith lives?

O Lord, make us into a just and enduring people.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

If we want to have a place in the Kingdom of God, then we cannot be stingy with our time, talents, or treasures. We have to use them all to sow the Way, the Truth, and the Life in the lives of others. We cannot shrink from the sacrifices that are asked of us or worry about the cost of doing what is right. If we do God’s Will, then He will give us everything we need to accomplish His Divine Plan. Whatever we lose in time, talent, or treasures, God will return to us through grace... and a thousand-fold. We cannot let our fears, doubts, and anxieties about life keep us from living as God wants us to live. We cannot put off till tomorrow what God has given us to do today. We have to embrace the challenges and do as God has determined, without sadness or compulsion... but as cheerful givers of body, mind, and heart.

What is God asking us to sow? How can we become better reapers of good works? What can we do to become more cheerful givers?

O Lord, grant us the grace we need to sow and reap bountifully.

Amen.

Eighteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

God’s Divine and Natural Laws are written upon our hearts. His Holy Spirit reminds us constantly of what is good and evil through our consciences. We have an innate understanding that God is our loving and protective Father. He will not abandon us. He is our God and we are his people. He is a gracious God, who forgives us and helps us to grow in faith, hope, and love. If we live our lives according to the commandments and the golden rule to love God and our neighbors, then we shall find ourselves welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven as good and faithful servants.

Do we live our lives in accordance with God’s Commandments? Do we listen to our consciences and the Holy Spirit? How can we be as forgiving of others as God is to us?

O Lord, you are our God and we are your people.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin Israel; Carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits.

Once restored from our sinful lives, we must do everything within our powers to retain our purity of body, mind, and spirit. This isn't always easy in today's world where we are constantly bombarded by words and images that tempt us to sin or revel in evil. However, if we are on guard against the world, then we will remain good and virtuous. We will be merry no matter the trials that come and plant the seeds of faith, hope, and love wherever we go. And in the end, if we are patient and humble, we shall produce good fruit for God and others to
enjoy.

What are we doing to retain our purity of faith, hope, and love? How can we strengthen these virtues? In what ways can we tend the vineyards of our souls and the souls of others so they bear good fruit?

O Lord, your love sustains and nourishes us so that we can produce good fruits.

Amen.

Eighteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

City shall be rebuilt upon hill, and palace restored as it was. From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men. I will make them not few, but many; they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them.

We all need a bit of rebuilding every now and then. When we fall into sin or indifference, we need to restore ourselves in mind and spirit. When we are sick or injured, we need to return our bodies to health. When we have suffered a loss of some sort—be it job, loved one, or something else—we strive to rebuild our lives as best we can. If we do this in a spirit of trust in God's Goodness, then we shall find that no matter what befalls us, He will raise us up again. He will put songs of praise and glory on our lips and laughter in our hearts. We shall be able to restore ourselves and become even stronger in faith, hope, and love.

What areas of our lives need to be rebuilt to become more perfectly God's dwelling place? How can we put the graces God has given us to good and fruitful use in restoring our lives to purity? In what ways can we glorify God for all He has done for us?

O Lord, rebuild us in your image and likeness.

Amen.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

"This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Our faith has been passed down from generation to generation for two thousand years. It was given to Jesus’ disciples and they passed it on to others... all the way to us. Now, it is our responsibility to pass on the faith to the next generations. Our children and their children. We would indeed do well to be attentive to our faith so we might shine with hope and bring warmth to others through our love. We are all given the great and humbling task of passing the flame of faith to others and it is up to us to do it with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

What are we doing to pass on the faith to others? Are we manifesting Jesus through our every thought, word, and work? How can we become better preachers of the Good News?

O Lord, make us into lamps shining in the darkness.

Amen.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Every now and then, we need to reevaluate our lives and examine our conscience. We need to look at what we’ve done and failed to do. We need to ask ourselves what bad habits need to be replaced with good ones. We need to know what areas of our lives we need to improve. We need to root out those things that lead us to temptation and sin. We need to put away our old selves and their deceitful desires and instead put on Christ. We need to renew our hearts, minds, spirits, and bodies. We need to recreate ourselves in the holy image of God and the Way, Truth, and Life of Jesus.

What deceitful desires and sins do we need to get rid of? What holy yearnings and virtues do we need to put in their place? How can we be transformed more perfectly into Jesus Christ?

O Lord, help us to cast aside our old selves and put on you.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

"Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear."

There are times in our lives when someone speaks the word of God to us. They might tell us to reform our ways, give us words of encouragement to continue on our path, or offer us advice that will help us grow in faith, hope, or love. It is important that we open our minds and hearts to these people, listen, and then do what God is calling us to do. There are other times when we are asked to speak the Word of God to others, to warn others against sin, to help lead them to a better life, to support them in their spiritual journeys. At these times, we are asked to be like the prophets of old and must be willing to act as such even if doing so means risking the mockery and anger of others.

Are we listening for the Word of God when others speak to us, especially those whom we know are good and faithful servants to the Lord? How might we become better prophets of the Good News to others? In what ways can we be more open to communicating with God and speaking his truth to others?

O Lord, give us ears to hear you and lips to speak you.

Amen.

Seventeenth Friday in Ordinary Time

If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them, I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth shall refer when cursing another.

When we fail to live according to God’s Commandments, choose sin over virtue, act with indifference to the needs of others, and turn a deaf ear to the Holy Spirit, then we become accursed. When we allow our hearts to swell with pride or believe ourselves to be holier than others, then we will be humbled by God and shown just how imperfect we are in His eyes. We are constantly faced with a choice to either listen to God, believe, and live the Way, the Truth, and the Life... or to ignore Him and suffer the consequences. There is no middle ground, not choosing is a choice that leads to destruction just as much as sinning does because lukewarm souls have no place at the table of the Lord. The only souls who do have a place are those who allow themselves to be lit on fire with the Holy Spirit and bear the light of Christ into the world with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Are we failing to live according to God’s Commandments? How can we be more faithful to listening to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit? What can we do to bring blessing to others and ourselves?

O Lord, make us a blessing, not a curse.

Amen.

Seventeenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

I went down to the potter's house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done' says the LORD.

We are like clay and God is the potter. He gave us life, shape, and purpose. He has raised us up by His Own Hand and given us a role in His Divine Plan. It is not His fault if we are weak, if we lose our shape, if we waste the gifts and talents He has given us. And if we turn out badly, we should not be surprised when He takes hold of our lives, collapses them, and reforms them. He does this not to destroy or punish us, but to give us another chance to fulfill His Will. He opens new possibilities by closing old and abandoned ones. Yes, it is hard to have our lives shattered by trials and sufferings, but they are given to us for a reason. To help us to become better people. So, when we do suffer, let us not complain, but accept what has happened and reshape our lives in the mold of Jesus Christ who bore his cross so we might be cleansed of our imperfections and remade in the image and likeness of God.

Are we willing to let God reshape our lives? What areas of our lives have become misshapen by sin? How can we learn to keep our eyes open to new possibilities even in the midst of trials?

O Lord, mold us in your image.

Amen.

Saint Alphonsus Liguouri, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand; If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece. Then it shall be they who turn to you, and you shall not turn to them; And I will make you toward this people a solid wall of brass. Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.

In life we will be beset upon by all manner of trials, difficulties, and obstacles. We shall be tempted to sin. We shall be mocked and persecuted for being Christians. We will be misunderstood, ignored, and abandoned. We will suffer. However, if we repent of our sins, seek to do good, and try to be a mouthpiece for God, then He will protect and strengthen us. He shall make us His dwelling place and we shall bear Him to all people.

Are we bringing forth the precious Word of God without tainting it with worldliness and sin? How can we strengthen our faith so we might become strongholds for God? What can we do to fulfill our calling to be mouthpieces of God's Love, Mercy, and Grace?

O Lord, free us from the hands of the wicked and rescue us.

Amen.