Friday, November 30, 2018

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.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

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.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

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.

Monday, November 26, 2018

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.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

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.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

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.

Friday, November 23, 2018

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.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

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.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

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.

Monday, November 19, 2018

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.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

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.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

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.

Friday, November 16, 2018

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.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

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.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

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.

Monday, November 12, 2018

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.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

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.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

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.

Friday, November 9, 2018

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.

Thursday, November 8, 2018

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.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

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.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

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.

Monday, November 5, 2018

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.

Sunday, November 4, 2018

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.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

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.

Friday, November 2, 2018

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.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

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.