Tuesday, December 31, 2019

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.

All of creation should rejoice in its Creator. That is after all one of the reasons the whole world was created... to know, love, and serve our Heavenly Father. It is in knowing Him that we become wise and hopeful. It is in loving Him that we learn to become charitable and merciful. It is in serving Him that we fulfill our vocation as His children and co-heirs. He is the Alpha and the Omega of the universe and should be the beginning and the end of our lives. It is in, by, through, and with Him that we accomplish the greatest good. So, let our hearts and voices resound with hymns of thanksgiving, joy, and exultant praise for our Good and Faithful Lord.

Do we take time to appreciate all God has Created? What can we do this year, and in all our future years, to soak in the joy and gladness of creation? How can we be better children to our Father, who created us to know, love, and serve Him and all His creation?

O Lord, let us join the heavens and earth in rejoicing before you, our King and Father.

Amen.

Monday, December 30, 2019

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise; give to the LORD the glory due his name!

There are many things for us to rejoice in during this season and throughout our lives. First, we should rejoice in having a God who is a Father to us. A Lord who Shepherds us. A Holy Spirit to guide us. We should be joyful for our lives, families, friends, neighbors, and even the strangers we meet each day. We should be jubilant at the thought of the graces, gifts, talents, and blessings God has given, is giving, and will give to us. And in return, we should honor Him, glorify Him, and praise Him for being so overwhelmingly loving of us, who are at times so terrible at loving Him.

Do we rejoice at everything God has given us? Do we give God the glory and praise He deserves? What can we do to honor God as He should be?

O Lord, let us always give you the glory due to your name.

Amen.

Sunday, December 29, 2019

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.

As Christians, we are called to put on Christ and all his virtues. It is from his cloth that we are cut. We cannot be whole or holy without him. It is his compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience we are called to embody. And it is only through, with, and in him that we can learn to bear with and forgive one another. As Jesus forgave us through his sacrifice on the cross, so we must imitate him from our own crosses. So, let us be perfected through his love. Let the peace of Christ control our hearts so we might be one in body, mind, and spirit with him.

Have we put on Christ and all his virtues? Do we bear with and forgive others as God bears with and forgives us? Have we put on the love of Christ and allowed ourselves to be united with him in all things?

O Lord, may your peace control our hearts.

Amen.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

We are all God’s children and He wants the best for us. He wants us to live good lives and to grow in faith, hope, and love. He wants us to become the best versions of ourselves and choose right over wrong. He gives us every grace to succeed as His children. And if we do fail, He is there to pick us up again, dust us off, and bandage our wounds. He may be disappointed in us, but He will never abandon us. Instead, He will treat us with mercy and compassion and continue to teach us what is good and evil, hoping that we will not repeat our mistakes or fall again. And if we do? He is there again, willing to forgive and forget, if we will but admit our sins, do penance, and try to amend our lives.

Do we act like children of God? Are our lives reflective of our Heavenly Father’s Divine Love and Mercy? How can we amend our lives and become worthy heirs to God’s Kingdom?

O Lord, grant us the grace to choose goodness over sin.

Amen.

Friday, December 27, 2019

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 

Sometimes we are like John. We hear some news and run off. We race ahead. When we arrive at where we are going, we can be tempted to jump right in, but John takes a moment to look before he leaps. Why does he do this? We do not know. Perhaps he is afraid of what he sees. Or maybe he knows Peter should be the first disciple to cross the threshold. Fear or humility... or both... or neither. It is hard to say because we cannot ask him. Perhaps John wonders if his eyes are tricking him... as if all he sees is just wishful thinking and he needs confirmation from Peter before he can fully embrace what his heart is telling him. Sometimes we are like that. We need some sort of confirmation that what we believe is true, where we are going is the right way, what we are doing is for the best. This confirmation can come from many people, places, or things, but all of them have one source... God. It is He who reaffirms our beliefs and helps us take the next step in our lives... to cross the threshold to holiness.

Are we running toward God or away from Him? How can we reaffirm the faith of others as well as our own? Are we willing to cross the threshold to holiness?

O Lord, we believe.

Amen.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness.

No matter how kind or good or loving we might be, we all have enemies and persecutors. They might be family members. They might be old friends or loves whom we have broken up with for one reason or another. They might be strangers who we hardly know or who hardly know us. They might be good people who have bad information. They might mean well, but oppose us because they have a different vision of the way things are or should be. We might never know why they are our foes, but one thing we can be certain of is that if we are striving to do God’s Will and do it with love, then He will rescue us from their clutches. His Divine Face will shine on us and we will be saved by His Kindness. Perhaps not always in the time or way we would prefer... perhaps not even in this life, but if we persevere, then we shall find ourselves with the only person whose opinion matters: God.

Do we commend our spirits to the Lord on a daily basis? Do we ask Him to rescue us from our foes? How can we be the shining face of God for those who are being persecuted?

O Lord, let your face shine upon us, your servants.

Amen.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

The Nativity of the Lord

When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say: You are my son; this day I have begotten you? Or again: I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

Jesus came into the world to purify us and he accomplished that through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. However, the road to salvation had many way points throughout time. From the beginning, Jesus’ sacrifice for us was planned. His conception, his birth, and his life on earth were set in motion before creation. The Father of the Universe, the Son of Salvation, and the Holy Spirit of Love between them conceived the world with man’s redemption in mind. All time has been ordered to this end, united by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all time. So, let us be joyful and thankful for this day, for the birth of Christ, and sing with the angels of Heaven, “Glory to the newborn King.”

What is our role in the history of salvation? What are we doing to bring about the salvation of souls and purification from sins? How can we bring the message of Christmas into the world every day of the year?

O Lord, thank you for coming into the world as a little child and purifying us from our sins.

Amen.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Fourth Tuesday of Advent

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

Kind and faithful. These are the adjectives we should hope come to mind when people think and speak about us. We should be known for our kindness. Not the fake kindness of putting on airs, but the true kindness that recognizes the kindred spirits of others and their inherent dignity as human beings who share in the Divine Image of God. We should also be models of faithfulness to others. Reminding them that this is something beyond the mundane world around us. Our lives should bear God into the world around us and make others aware that God is with us. We should make Him present to others through our holy and good presence.

Are we truly kind to others, not with worldly masks, but as heavenly reflections of God’s Divine Image? How can we be more faithful? What can we do to help others grow in kindness and faithfulness?

O Lord, establish your true kindness within us, your faithful servants.

Amen.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Fourth Monday of Advent

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.

Humility is a virtue we have to constantly work at. Pride has a way of slipping into our lives in various ways. It tries to convince us we are better than others. It proclaims we are holier, morally superior, and better than those around us. It wants us to believe we know best and our way is the only one. It tells us our time, talents, and treasures are more important than anyone else’s. It tempts us to be impatient with those who ask us for something. It tempts us to grumble and complain about others. It tempts us to make ourselves into God by encouraging us to be judges. Humility is the only cure for such temptations to pride and it must be swallowed every day. If we want to be truly upright and not like the Pharisees and Sadducees, then we must be humble and just in all things. Following not our way, but the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ, who humbly built other people up in faith, hope, and love.

Are we cultivating a sense of humility or pride? How can we become humbler in thought, word, and work? What can we do to foster humility not only in ourselves, but others, too?

O Lord, teach us to be humble.

Amen.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We were created to be apostles. We were made to bear God into the world. We were conceived to proclaim the Good News to all the nations. God has given Himself to us through the Scriptures, the Church, and the sacraments. He wants us to succeed as His servants and heirs to His Kingdom. And if we want to accomplish His Divine Plan, then we must be obedient to Him. We must follow His Commandments. We must live according to His Way, His Truth, and His Life. We must listen to the inspirations and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must choose to be with Him as much as He is with us. We must belong to Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Are we with God or against Him? Are we answering the call to apostleship? What can we do to belong more perfectly to Him in all things?

O Lord, help us to become better apostles of the Good News for all.

Amen.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Third Saturday of Advent

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song. Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield, For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. 

God is our help and our shield. He is always there for us when we need Him. Even when we feel most abandoned by Him, He is there, lending us His Strength. He is the Source, Center, and Summit of our joy. He is the beginning and the end of our hope. He is the most perfect love we will ever experience. He will never do anything to drag us down. Indeed, He will do everything He can to lift us up in our times of need and raise us to Heaven.

Do we rejoice in the Lord? Do we trust in His Plan? How are we a help and shield to others?

O Lord, in you our hearts trust and rejoice.

Amen.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Third Friday of Advent

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

We are all temples to the Lord. We are all made to be His dwelling place. Our hearts are meant to be tabernacles to our Lord, allowing Him to rest in and work through us. We should strive to be open to our Heavenly Father. We should accept the teachings and wisdom of the Son. We should seek to fulfill the Will of the Holy Spirit and become saintly people. This is the only way we can become who we are meant to be... children of God, who reflect the face of God in our own faces and pass on His blessings through our own thoughts, words, and works. So, let us manifest the Lord to the best of our abilities and allow Him to live and speak and work through us in all things.

Do we let God enter into the temples of our souls? Are we accepting of the blessings and graces He gives us? Do we seek for Him in all things?

O Lord, we seek your face.

Amen.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Third Thursday of Advent

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory! For you are my hope, O LORD; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. 

From the moment of our conception, God has loved us as His Own children. He blessed us in the womb with gifts, graces, and strengths that would help us throughout our lives. From birth, we have been dependent upon Him for all good things and this reliance will continue till the day we die and beyond. God has watched over us since out youth, granting us everything we need to become good and faithful servants to Him and to our brothers and sisters. He has been a Father to us, protecting, guiding, and encouraging us in our good words. He has also reprimanded us when we have gone astray and tried to lead us back to the right path as gently, but firmly as possible. For all these reasons, we find hope in Him and trust in His Ways. We praise Him for His Works and sing of His Glory because He has been the best Father, we could ever ask for... patient, kind, and compassionate.

Do we thank God for all the blessings He has given us? Do we allow Him to be our Father and act like His children, obedient and loving? What can we do to imitate Him in our lives?

O Lord, you are our Father, in you we trust and hope.

Amen.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Third Wednesday of Advent

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds. And blessed forever be his glorious name; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Justice is meant to flourish and peace is meant to blossom. As caretakers of the vineyard of the Lord, our job is to make sure these things happen. We are called to nourish and tend to those who are under our care. We are asked to help them grow in faith, hope, and love. Whether they are family, friends, neighbors, fellow parishioners, strangers, or even foes, we are tasked with thinking, speaking, and doing all we can to cultivate their souls. We do this in hope that one day they will bear abundant fruit, even if we aren’t around to see it. Most wonderful of all, is that if we are good and faithful servants to God and His children, then we will yield a good harvest just by being holy. So, let us be blessings to all people and fill the earth with God’s Glory and Goodness.

What are we doing to help justice flourish in our time? In what ways are we trying to bring peace into the world? How are we helping others to become fruitful in spirit and truth?

O Lord, may your justice and peace flourish wherever we go.

Amen.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Third Tuesday of Advent

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor.

We all have the responsibilities of kings. We are called to protect the innocent and the weak. We are asked to defend the afflicted and save the poor, young and old alike. We are tasked with lifting people out of despair and giving them hope. We are to be an example of holiness to all those around us. We are to be just and merciful in our dealings with others. We are to bring peace and prosperity to all mankind, starting with our families, friends, and neighbors and then out to the rest of the world. We flourish and grow and produce good fruits when we act like kings should.

Are we living up to our responsibilities to be kingly servants to all? In what ways are we bringing justice and peace into our world? What can we do to defend the afflicted and save the poor?

O Lord, may our words and works yield peace and justice to others.

Amen.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Third Monday of Advent

Teach me your ways, O Lord. Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your kindness are from of old. In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD.

We have a lot to learn from God. He is a loving Father, who shows us how to be good sons and daughters. He is a Good Shepherd, who leads us to holiness in thought, word, and deed. He is an Advocate, who inspires us to become better people. Everything we could ever want to learn comes from Him. He teaches us compassion, kindness, goodness, and love. He is the Most Perfect Teacher, giving us the Good News, the Scriptures, and the Church to guide us along our paths to holiness. He will always remember us and hopefully, we will always remember Him for all the wondrous things He’s done for us.

Do we remember God as we should? Do we allow Him to teach us His Way, His Truth, and His Life? How do we imitate His Compassion, Kindness, and Goodness?

O Lord, teach us your ways.

Amen.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Third Sunday of Advent

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil.

Rejoice, pray, and give thanks without ceasing... this is the will of God for all of us. God wants us to be filled with joy and happiness. He wants us to be cheerful even in the midst of our daily trials. He wants us to pray to Him constantly and be in dialogue with Him through the Holy Spirit so our relationship with Him can bear much fruit. He wants us to give thanks to Him for all the good He has done for us. He wants us to accept His Love, Mercy, and Grace with adoring, contrite, and humble hearts. He wants us to be on fire with the Holy Spirit and listen to the voice of our consciences. He wants us to be open to His inspirations sent to us through our thoughts and the thoughts, words, and works of others. He wants us to test everything in order to make sure our days are filled with people, places, and things which lead to good and avoid all evil. In short, He wants us to be alive in Jesus Christ so we might live with Him forever in heaven.

Do we have joyful hearts, even in the midst of trials? Do we pray without ceasing and give thanks to God all the days of our lives? Are we letting the Holy Spirit think, speak, and work through us for the good of all?

O Lord, we rejoice in you. We pray to you. We give thanks to you.

Amen.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

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

Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up! I, the LORD, have created this. For thus says the LORD, the creator of the heavens, who is God, The designer and maker of the earth who established it, Not creating it to be a waste, but designing it be lived in: I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Justice and salvation are what God offers us each and every day. He created all the universe and everything in it in order for us to live in justice so we might be saved. He does not wish us any evil, He gives us every chance to do the right thing... to know, love, and serve Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths and to love others as He loves them. He wants us to be good fruits, nourishing the faith, hope, and love of others so they might join him in Heaven. He wants us to be fonts of His Mercy, pouring out His Grace upon all whom we meet. He did not create us to be a waste, but to be a living blessing, showing others that God loves them and should be at the center of all people’s hearts.

Are we leading just lives? What are we doing in order to lead others to God’s Grace and Salvation? Are we living our lives wisely and well or are we wasting them?

O Lord, give us the grace to live in you and not waste away in worldly pursuits.

Amen.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; Your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, Their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence.

All of God’s commandments and teachings are for our own good. We might find them difficult to follow, but that doesn’t mean we should disobey them. We might not understand them, but that doesn’t mean we should turn a deaf ear to them. Instead, we should strive to do good and avoid evil because even though it might be hard, it is the right thing to do. Similarly, we should place our faith in God’s teachings in the hopes we shall one day come to an understanding of those teachings we have trouble understanding. By doing these things, we place our trust in God above ourselves. We say, “As you wish, Lord.” And He, in turn, will give us all the graces we need to prosper in our spiritual journey and have our names written in the book of life.

Do we trust all of God’s commandments and teachings are for our own good, even when they are most difficult to follow? Are we willing to follow God’s Will wherever it will take us? Are we willing to make the leaps of faith we need to in order to go where God is leading us?

O Lord, teach us what is good and lead us to the Promised Land.

Amen.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.

Mary is the Mother of God and all His children. She loves us unconditionally, as a perfect parent. She is an advocate for us before the Heavenly Father just like many mothers are advocates for their children. She is a role model for us, showing us how to know, love, and serve God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. She is a servant of God and of us, who works tirelessly and patiently to lead us to a closer relationship with Jesus, her son and our brother. She is a mold, who can shape us into good and faithful servants. She is filled with grace and the Holy Spirit and through her role as His Holy Spouse, she asks for us every spiritual blessing we need in order to thrive as her children. She comforts us when we are sorrowful and will never leave our side, just as she never left Jesus.

Do we give thanks to God for giving us Mary as our spiritual Mother? What can we learn from her life of service and humility? How can we become better children of God, our Father, and Mary, our Mother?

O Lord, we thank you for our Blessed Mother, Mary.

Amen.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Second Wednesday of Advent

The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

God doesn’t get tired of us. He loves us just as much when we are saintly and when we are sinful. He does not force us to do anything, but rather lets us choose. He wants us to be good and faithful servants because we love Him and He is willing to wait patiently for us to come to Him. His unwavering love does not grow faint or weary, but that doesn’t mean His Love and Mercy for us will trump His Justice. If we fall into sin, He is more than willing to forgive us. However, we need to be contrite for our sins and honestly desire to amend our lives. We might not always succeed, but we should not grow weary of trying to be holy. God gives us every strength and grace we need to overcome the temptations we face. He gives us spiritual vigor during our times of trial and will renew us after every battle with our sinful selves. If we let Him, He will grant us wings which will bear us to heaven and eternal life.

Do we give thanks to God for being so patient with us? Are we truly grateful for the love, mercy, and support He has given us throughout our lives? How can we express our thanks for all God has done for us?

O Lord, give us your strength and vigor.

Amen.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Second Tuesday of Advent

Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

We are all called to be heralds of the Good News to the world around us. We do this through our thoughts, our words, and especially through our works. We give witness to God’s Goodness, Love, and Mercy through sharing our own faith with those we meet each day from friends and family to neighbors and strangers. We shouldn’t be afraid of what others might think of us for devoting our lives to God and His Church. After all, if we live according to the Gospels, then we shall receive the greatest reward... eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Besides being heralds, we are also tasked with being co-shepherds feeding God’s flock with good works, helping God gather others into lives of saintliness, carrying those who are injured by sin, and leading the young and old alike toward our Savior through acts of charity and mercy.

In what ways are we acting as heralds of the Good News? How can we do a better job of fulfilling our calling to proclaim the Word of God? How can we become better shepherds and lead others to faith in our Merciful Lord?

O Lord, give us what we need to be heralds of the faith and shepherds of your flock.

Amen.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.  In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

We are all adopted children of God through Jesus Christ, who made us his brothers and sisters through his life, passion, death, and resurrection. He broke his body and poured out his blood for us in order to secure us our adoption... to make us co-heirs to the Kingdom of God. He shows us how to be good and faithful children to our Heavenly Father. He shared his own Holy Mother with us while on the cross and asked us to take her into our homes and hearts. He gave us his Holy Spirit to be our advocate and constant guide. He has offered his love, his mercy, his saving and sanctifying grace to fill us with good things so we might grow in favor with God and give praise and glory to Him for all He has done for us.

How are we living out our calling to be co-heirs to the kingdom of God? What can we do to become more faithful children of our Lord? Do we give thanks for all the blessings God has given us, especially the Holy Spirit and our Holy Queen, Mary?

O Lord, bless us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.

Amen.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Second Sunday of Advent

Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

We should be eager to live virtuous lives... to do good and avoid evil. We should be eager to rid ourselves of our imperfections and resist all temptations. We should be eager to be at peace with God and ourselves and not caught up in the chaos of the world around us. Throughout each day we will be tested by distractions, doubts, sufferings, obstacles, and all manner of trials, but as long as we choose what is right over what is wrong and put our trust in God, then we shall find inner tranquility. The world might race around us and people might run here or there, but we shall remain where we need to be... centered in Christ. Earthly things may try to divert our attention from God and from good deeds, but we shall remain focused on the Way, Truth, and Life Jesus has shown us. It is not easy to live spotless lives and to be at peace, but as long as we seek reconciliation with God, we shall be given both... and much more: eternal life.

Are we eager to live out our faith? Are we willing to deny ourselves worldly things in order to remain unblemished? How can we better base our lives on the calm and steady rock that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

O Lord, purify us in the fires of your love and mercy and grant us your peace.

Amen.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way; walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, And the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant.

God guides us in many ways. He gives the His Holy Spirit to inspire us to holiness. He gives us our consciences to remind us of right and wrong. He gives us models in the faith through, Jesus, Mary, and the saints. He shows us the way to live as good and faithful servants. He gives us guidance through the Scriptures and the traditions and teachings of the Church. He gives us the sacraments to sustain us. He pours out His Love, Mercy, and Grace so our souls might flourish in the faith and we might produce good fruits through our thoughts, words, and works.

Are we accepting of God’s guidance and help? What way does God want us to walk? How can we be more open to the outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, show us the way we are called to walk in this life.

Amen.

Friday, December 6, 2019

First Friday of Advent

The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; All who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim.

The world around us may offer us many pleasures and momentary distractions, but no person, place, or thing can ever give us the joy that God offers us. When we humbly converse with Him in prayer, feast with Him in mass, and seek His Divine Mercy in reconciliation, we are filled with an unmatchable happiness. When we are poor in spirit, renouncing earthly goods, mortifying ourselves, and placing our trust in our Heavenly Father, we are rewarded with spiritual consolations. When we know, love, and serve God and His children with our whole hearts, we grow in faith, hope, charity, and God’s favor. In this life, there may be those who lord it over us and do evil to us, but as long as we are patient and turn the other cheek, then we shall be given the grace we need to find joy even in the midst of our trials. God will act justly for us. We do not need to retaliate. We need only to love others, even our enemies, as Jesus did and let God take care of the rest.

How can we become humbler in our thoughts, words, and works? What can we do embody being poor in spirit? Are we willing to be patient and let God defend us against our persecutors?

O Lord, you are the source of our joy and our matchless defender.

Amen.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

First Thursday of Advent

Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock.

God is our Rock and if our lives are founded on Him, we shall not lose them. No storm of suffering will topple us. No quake of fear will bring us down. No flood of woes shall wash us away. With God as our cornerstone, we can withstand any trial and stand firm against all temptations. We shall survive all difficulties if we trust in God and let Him lead us to a saintly life. It may not be easy to keep the faith in the midst of sufferings, but reaching the Gates of Heaven is worth every test we must undertake.

Are our lives founded on Our Lord and God? Do we trust Him to support us through every trial? How can we make God the foundation of our every thought, word, and work?

O Lord, we trust in you, Our Rock and Savior.

Amen.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

First Wednesday of Advent

On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

In the end, God will destroy death for all those who choose to follow Him. He will release us from the bonds of sin and its fruit of death. He will wipe away our tears of suffering and save us from all the pains and ills of this world. His Saving Grace, will bring joy and happiness to all of us who walked the path of salvation with Him. This freeing and wondrous future is offered to us all. We have only to accept it from God’s open hands and choose the good over the evil, the right over the wrong, justice over injustice… virtue over vice.

Are we allowing God to unveil our eyes so we can see right and wrong clearly?  Do we believe God will save even us, who are sinful? When are we going to accept God’s Grace and Mercy and amend our lives so He can invite us to Heaven with Him?

O Lord, save us!

Amen.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, But he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

The Holy Spirit has many gifts to offer us and He does so with generosity and compassion. He desires for us to be wise, understanding, full of good counsel, strong in faith, knowledgeable, and fearful of letting the Lord down. He offers us eyes to see the Way, ears to hear the Truth, and hearts to live the Life of Christ. He gives us the guidance of our consciences to help us lead just lives and choose right over wrong. He wants us to be sealed to Him through righteousness and faithfulness and never leave His side. He wants only the best for us, but He will not force His Will on us. Instead, He lets us make our own choices to accept or deny His gifts of our own free will.

How can we strengthen the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us? How can we conform our lives to justice toward all and fidelity to God? Are we willing to bind ourselves to God, giving up earthly goods, in order to become good and faithful servants?

O Lord, send down your Holy Spirit and His gifts.

Amen.

Monday, December 2, 2019

First Monday of Advent

“Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.

Once we recognize God is our Lord and King, we shall be like the nations mentioned here... we shall find peace. The conflicts in our lives, both great and small, come from rebellions against God. From Adam and Eve to our own sinfulness, we wage a war with ourselves. We do what we know is wrong and avoid the good because being a sinner is easier than being a saint. However, if we want to have a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, then we must climb the mountain of holiness, follow its narrow path, and exert every effort to live good and faithful lives. We might stumble and fall along the way, but as long as we dust ourselves off, return to the right path, and trust in God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace, then we shall eventually find the Gates of Heaven and be found worthy to join in the never-ending Beatific Feast.

Are we climbing the mountain of holiness or sliding into the valley of sin? How can we amend our lives so we can more easily follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life that leads to Heaven? What can we do to become living saints?

O Lord, lead us up the mountain to eternal life with you.

Amen.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

First Sunday of Advent

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 has bestowed on us many graces throughout our lives. We might not notice them. We may take them for granted. Or we may even turn our backs on them, but they are always within our reach. All we have to do is accept them, use them wisely and well, and give God thanks for all His help. If we welcome God’s Grace into our hearts, then He will enrich us in every way with virtues, holiness, works of charity and mercy, and spiritual rewards. He will make us into saints fashioned in the likeness of Jesus, our Lord and King.

What graces has God given us? Do we give Him glory, praise, and thanksgiving for all He has done for us? How can we more perfectly put to use the physical, mental, and spiritual graces God has provided us?

O Lord, keep us firm in our faith to the end.

Amen.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

There is a reason we are not called to be judges. We think, speak, and act imperfectly. Our knowledge is limited and incomplete. Our feelings can get in the way of justice and truth. God’s Judgments, however, are true and just for He knows, speaks, and acts perfectly. He understands our true motives and therefore what we truly deserve. He gave us His Commandments so we might follow His Will. He offered us His Son so we might imitate Him. He sent His Holy Spirit to all so we might be enlightened and grow into holy and good servants.

How can we resist the worldly temptation to judge others? What can we do to place our trust in God’s Divine Judgment? How can we live in accordance with God’s precepts and lead true and just lives?

O Lord, your judgments are true and just.

Amen.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Thirty-Fourth Friday in Ordinary Time

Give glory and eternal praise to him! “Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.”

All of creation was made by God and finds its source, center, and summit in Him. He is the only thing that can fulfill us and transform us into what we are called to be. He made us in His Divine Image and offered us every spiritual blessing so we might be holy as He is Good. What a wonderful God we have in Him for He has shown us what it means to be charitable, merciful, and good. He made us to be manifestations of Himself and we find true peace only when we exult Him through our thoughts, words, and works.

In what ways do we give glory to God? How can we exult Him in everything we do? What can we do to live up to the Divine Image within us?

O Lord, we give you glory and eternal praise.

Amen.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Thanksgiving

I will praise your name forever, Lord. Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might. They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works. 

There is much we should be thankful for as Christians. We should be thankful for having a Heavenly Father, who created us in His Divine Image. We should be thankful for His Beloved Son, who proclaimed the Good News for us and gave up his life so we might be saved from sin and death. We should be thankful for the Holy Spirit, who is always with us, granting us inspiration and guidance so we might lead holy lives. The Holy Trinity is someone we can all praise forever because He has done so many works for us, great and small. He has united us with himself, revealing His Love, Mercy, and Grace. Yes, indeed, we have much to be thankful for because our God is full of glorious majesty and wondrous works.

What are we thankful for this year? In what ways do we show our thankfulness to God for all He has given us? What can we do to help make others thankful?

O Lord, we will praise your works and proclaim your might forever and ever.

Amen.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Thirty-Fourth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Give glory and eternal praise to him. “Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.”

Every moment of our lives should be spent praising God and exulting Him above all else in this world. There is nothing in the waters, on the earth, or in the heavens that could ever compare to God. There is nothing we can think that would be more fruitful than to think of God and how to imitate Him. There is nothing we can say that would be more edifying and effective than to speak the Word of God and proclaim the gospels. There is nothing we can do that will bear better fruit than to do God’s Will in all things. Everything has its good beginning in God and will only find its best end in and through Him. There is no other path to salvation than the ones laid before us by God, who prepares the way for each of us according to our own personalities, talents, and needs.

Do we spend as much time praising and exalting God as we should? How can we find even more time? What can we do to bring His thoughts, words, and works into the world for His glory and the good of others?

O Lord, we praise and exult you above all forever.

Amen.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Thirty-Fourth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Give glory and eternal praise to him. “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.”

These words were sung by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the midst of a burning furnace. Imagine that for a moment... being surrounded by flames and yet finding the inner calm to sing in praise and glory of God. Trusting God will deliver you from evil no matter the trial you might be facing. What a marvelous faith these men showed. A faith all of us are called to imitate in our own lives, especially when our foes put us to the test or our circumstances seem hopeless. To bless God, even in the middle of our suffering is something that is not easy to do, but it is the best thing for us. It shows God we believe in Him and accept His Will in our lives even if His Divine Plan requires us to face difficult trials and make great sacrifices. So, let us join our voices with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and sing, “Blessed the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever.”

Are we at peace with the difficulties we face in our lives? Do we trust our sufferings will lead to a greater good? Do we praise and glorify God even in the midst of our trials and tribulations?

O Lord, we bless and exalt you above all forever.

Amen.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Thirty-Fourth Monday in Ordinary Time

Glory and praise forever! “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.”

The temple of God’s Glory resides within each of our hearts. How we tend our bodies, minds, and spirits reflects how we treat God. If we ignore our physical, mental, and spiritual growth, then we weaken our living temples. The only way for the walls of our faith to stand up to earthly trials is if we build them on the solid ground of hope and construct them with the best resources of love, mercy, and goodness. Our temples are only as strong as our reliance on God, who supports us in our times of need and weakness. He makes us strong and for that we should be very thankful.

Are we tending to the good and holy needs of our bodies, minds, and spirits? How can we found ourselves more firmly upon the strength of our Heavenly Father? What can we do to help shore up the faiths of others and help them grow as Christians?

O Lord, blessed are you and the temple you have built within our hearts.

Amen.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

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

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Jesus Christ is our King. This is something we as Christians need to accept. We need to recognize him as our Lord, who has the right to ask us to do whatever is needed to fulfill his will. If he asks for our gifts and talents, then we must give them to him to the best of our abilities. If he asks for our treasures and goods, we must offer them up for his purpose. If he asks for us to suffer mockery and persecution for him, then we must stand at his side ready to receive the blows. If he asks us to die for his glory or the good of others, then we must be able to let go of our lives and give them over to him as a sacrifice. In all things, we must we willing to accept our crosses, whatever they might be... great or small, easy or hard. This is what Jesus did for us, and we should be willing and able to do the same for His Kingdom.

Do we recognize that we were created through and for God and not ourselves? Do we recognize Jesus as the Head of the Church and the master of our lives? What are we doing to seek out our spiritual fulfillment in and with Him?

O Lord, in you we were created and for the magnification of you we were made.

Amen.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Thirty-Third Saturday in Ordinary Time

I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord. Because my enemies are turned back, overthrown and destroyed before you. You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; their name you blotted out forever and ever.

There is nothing in this world that we should fear more than God. There is nothing on this earth we should be in awe of more than God. There is nothing in existence that can compare to God, Who is the Alpha and the Omega. Our enemies are as nothing. They shall be turned back, overthrown, and destroyed. Our difficulties are dust. They will blow away in the wind. No nation is above God. No person immune to judgment. We will all face Him some day and have to answer for what we have done and failed to do. We can only hope God will find us in awe of Him and respectful of His commandments, teachings, and inspirations. We can only pray He will find us acceptable and grant us the great grace of salvation.

Do we have a healthy fear and awe of God? Do we pray to God to deliver us from all evil, especially those evils most tempting to us? What in our lives is God asking us to rebuke so we might become holier people?

O Lord, there is nothing in this world that can compare to you and your salvation.

Amen.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

We praise your glorious name, O mighty God. “Blessed may you be, O LORD, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.”

What a wonderful blessing it is to have God as our Father. His Divine Love created us in His Divine Image. His blessings and graces are poured out for us constantly. Every gift, talent, and good we possess He has passed onto us through His Hands. He will never abandon or forsake us. He is always with us. He knows what is best for us, even when we don’t. He is our most perfect Father and will protect us from every evil as long as we let Him. So, let us praise His Glorious Name and thank our Mighty God for all He has done, is doing, and will ever do for us.

Do we accept and acknowledge God as out Heavenly Father? What do we do to be good and faithful children to Him? How can we show our appreciation for everything He has given us?

O Lord, our Father, blessed may you be.

Amen.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

To the upright I will show the saving power of God. “Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High; Then call upon me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”

God wants all His children to be upright and good. He wants us to offer him praise and thanksgiving for all our gifts and graces. He wants us to recognize Him as our Heavenly Father. He wants us to know, love, and serve Him to the best of our abilities. He wants us to call upon Him in our times of trouble and distress. He wants to rescue us from the slavery of sin and spare us a destructive death. He wants us to give Him glory and place our trust in Him. All for our benefit, not His. He does not need anything from us, but He does want what is best for the members of His Spiritual Body.

Do we offer God our praise as a sacrifice? Do we fulfill our vows to Him? Do we call on Him in our times of distress?

O Lord, we offer our praise to you as a sacrifice.

Amen.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Thirty-Third Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. My steps have been steadfast in your paths, my feet have not faltered. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word.

The pathways to Heaven may be narrow and fraught with peril, but they lead to glory and joy. This is why we must strive to be steadfast in the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Together they lead us to where we need to be as Christians and servants of God. They keep us from straying from the path and falling into the pits and traps that lay just off the edge of the trail. Our enemies wait for us to misstep and sin so they might attack us and drag us away to our own destruction. However, God is always listening and His Word will guide and protect us if we let it. Then, we shall know true happiness, which only comes from imitating God and magnifying His Holy Spirit within us.

Are we willing to turn our back on the wide road of destruction and instead follow the narrower road to salvation? How can we live in accordance with God’s Will? What can we do to imitate and magnify our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, help us to be steadfast in your paths.

Amen.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Thirty-Third Tuesday in Ordinary Time

The Lord upholds me. O LORD, how many are my adversaries! Many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “There is no salvation for him in God.”

The Lord upholds us against our adversaries, no matter how many there might be. He is our fortress, our protector, our rock. There is nothing in this world that can overthrow Him and the strength He lends us in our times of need. If we will but trust in Him and accept His blessings, gifts, and graces, then we shall not be put to shame. No matter how many rise against us we will triumph. No matter how much our foes claim we are fools, we will be proven to be wise at the Last Judgment when we gain salvation from Him.

Do we allow God to uphold us in our times of trial and weakness? Do we seek His help against our adversaries? Do we trust that with His aid, we will overcome all obstacles?

O Lord, uphold us.

Amen.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Thirty-Third Monday in Ordinary Time

Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. Indignation seizes me because of the wicked who forsake your law.

The unfair treatment of others should fill us with indignation. It should light a fire within us. One that inspires us to bring love, mercy, and justice to the world around us. When we see wickedness, we should oppose it and try to show people there is another way. We cannot force goodness on others, but we can proclaim the Good News and show what it means to be Christians by living our lives in accordance with Scriptures. Most importantly, although we might hate the sins, we must also love the sinner. We must be able to separate the two from each other so we can treat people well no matter how ugly their actions are. God is the only judge and no matter how much we might be tempted to condemn another, we must only condemn their actions, not the person.

How are we fighting against the unfair treatment of others? How can we learn to love those whom we find most repugnant? What do we do to keep ourselves from being judgmental?

O Lord, help us to fight against the unfair treatment of others.

Amen.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. 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. 

There may be times in our lives when we cannot support ourselves. We might lose our jobs, be burdened by debts, our suffer some other setback that leaves us dependent upon others. We should not be afraid to ask for and accept charity at those times. However, when we are able, we should strive to regain employment, to work ourselves out of debt, and keep ourselves healthy. We should never want to be satisfied with being dependent on anyone except for God. On the contrary, we, like Paul, should work day and night so we might not be a burden on others and to set ourselves up so when those around us need help, we can give them a lift out of their troubles and help them to regain their feet.

How can we become independent of others? What can we do to not be a burden? What can we do to help others who are in need?

O Lord, help us to work and be only dependent upon you.

Amen.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Thirty-Second Saturday in Ordinary Time

Remember the marvels the Lord has done! Then he struck every first born throughout their land, the first fruits of all their manhood. And he led them forth laden with silver and gold, with not a weakling among their tribes.

The world around us is full of marvels and miracles. If we do not see them, it is not God’s fault, but our own blindness. He constantly works within our lives in great and small ways. We might not connect the dots or see the whole picture in our lives, but He is there with us always. He has struck down our enemies and raised us up. He has given us graces and gifts beyond counting. He has led us forth laden with good things and built up our faith so we are not weaklings. The trials we undergo are not for our punishment, but for our betterment. He wants us to prove our metal in this life and the only way to do that is to cleanse us in purifying fires, forge us through our choices, and temper us with His Holy Spirit.

Do we remember the marvels God has done for us? Do we let God lead us where He wants us? What can we do to prove our metal to Him?

O Lord, lead us forth and strengthen us.

Amen.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Thirty-Second Friday in Ordinary Time

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God and so should we. Our voices should lift up with the angels and saints and declare our thanks to God for all He has done. We should also proclaim and appreciate His handiwork, both great and small. He has truly done many things for us from the moment of our conception to this moment in time. And He will continue to do so through the rest of our lives and forever. What a wonderful Father we have, who loves and cares for us beyond anything we could hope for. What an amazing Brother we have in Jesus Christ, who showed us how to live holy lives. What a great Holy Spirit we have, an Advocate for us in our darkest hours and a light to lead us where we are called to be. Yes, indeed, let us proclaim the glory of God, for He is Good and Merciful, even to us poor sinners.

In what ways do we proclaim the glory of God? How do we join our voices with those of the angels and saints? What can we do to celebrate having such a wonderful Holy Trinity watching out for us in all things?

O Lord, we declare the glory of God and proclaim His handiwork.

Amen.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Thirty-Second Thursday in Ordinary Time

Your word is forever, O Lord. Your word, O LORD, endures forever; it is firm as the heavens.

God’s Word is eternal. It was from the beginning, is now, and ever shall be true. It is a Word spoken in love and compassion meant to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is nothing in this world that can make a claim to us more than God’s Word Made Flesh. Jesus Christ, His Son and our Lord, should be the source, center, and summit of our every thought, word, and work. His Word is fixed in our hearts and although we might be tempted to deny its existence out of pride, greed, or other vices, it is always there waiting patiently for us to acknowledge it and accept it and live it.

Is the Word of God at the core of our lives? What do we do to cultivate it in our lives? How do we reveal ourselves as followers of the Word in our everyday actions?

O Lord, your word endures forever.

Amen.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin

Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth. Defend the lowly and the fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the lowly and the poor; from the hand of the wicked deliver them.

God will bring judgment to the earth and we would do well to remember that. Each of us is given a role to play in the building up of the Body of Christ. Some will be called to be parents and guardians, others to be care-takers and educations, still others will be asked to be protectors and leaders. All of us are asked to bear God’s Love and Mercy into the world and to proclaim the Good News with our every action. We, like Him, are tasked with defending the lowly and fatherless, rendering justice to the afflicted and destitute, and rescuing the lowly and poor from the hands of the wicked. We are all meant to be manifestations of our Heavenly Father’s Will, the Son’s Word, and the Holy Spirit’s Heart. And if we wish to be found worthy of Paradise, then we must magnify our Lord by being His eyes, ears, lips, and hands.

Do we defend the lowly and fatherless? Are we just toward the afflicted and destitute? What can we do to rescue the lowly and poor from wickedness and evil?

O Lord, help us to bring your just judgment to the earth.

Amen.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

Each and every day we prove our spiritual metal. We show God if we are made of the gold of goodness or the lead of evil. We reveal whether we are strong as steel in our beliefs or weak as tin. We either polish our interior lives so they shine like silver or ignore and abuse our lives until they rot with rust. We reflect God’s Love or we dull it with selfishness. It is up to each of us to tend the flames of our inner furnaces, to hammer out our imperfections and impurities, and shape our souls into beautiful embodiments of God. Like bronze statues, we must be formed and made into one, seamless piece united to and reflective of our Lord and God.

In what ways do we prove ourselves to God? How can we refine ourselves in the fires of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace? What can we do to help others to be purified in faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, prove us in the furnace of your love.

Amen.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it. Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees our deepest secrets. He knows our greatest potential. He believes we can all become saints and gives us everything we need to become holy. He guides us in great and small ways towards eternal life, but He will not force His Way, Truth, or Life on us. He wants us to choose them ourselves. He knows what we will think, say, and do before we know and provides us with guidance so we might think, speak, and act as Jesus would. There is no escaping from God. He sees everything in our minds and hearts, understands the inner struggles we have, and wants to help us overcome everything so we can be His good and faithful servants.

What does God see within us? What do we see within ourselves? Are we the person we are called to be as Christians?

O Lord, guide us along the everlasting way to life with you.

Amen.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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.

God will always give us the blessings, graces, and gifts that will strengthen us so we can do good and avoid evil. He encourages us through the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, the guidance of holy people, and the teachings of the Church to know, love, and serve Him and all His children. He gives us hope in His Goodness and Mercy and shows us how to be compassionate people. It is through Him and in Him and with Him that we can become manifestations of His Divine Will. In a similar way, we are called to encourage others in the faith and help them to grow into the saints they are called to be.

How are we using the strength God gives us? What are we doing with the inspiration and guidance He provides? How are we helping others to grow in goodness, grace, and hope?

O Lord, strengthen us in every good deed and word.

Amen.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

You are God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.

We are God’s building. We are His Church and Temple. We are all parts of one dwelling. We all serve a purpose. We are all founded in one faith, one baptism, for one God. We are united in the Body of Christ which is manifested through us. We are builders, too, of faith, hope, and love. We add onto the Church through our thoughts, words, and works and as such we must take our responsibilities seriously. We must be careful to build upon the foundation of Christ and not upon anything else. We must add onto the Church through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must not damage or distort what God has constructed for us. We must be vigilant in the defense of the Scriptures and the Traditions of the Church, while still being open to growing His Temple in new and sanctifying directions.

Do we take care of God’s Temple within our souls? In what ways do we build up the Church? Are our spiritual foundations rooted in Jesus Christ?

O Lord, we are your building, do with us what you will.

Amen.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Thirty-First Friday in Ordinary Time

In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God. For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ. Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another’s foundation, but as it is written: Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand.

It might be difficult to believe, but there are many in this world that do not know Jesus Christ. They have no personal or communal relationship with Him. He exists outside their frame of reference. They might have heard about him, but they do not know him or what he truly stands for. So many children are not being taught what it means to be Christian. So many are told they do not need him in their lives. So many are denied him by parents who have neglected to bring him into their children’s lives. It can be saddening to think that the only exposure many have with Jesus is as a historical figure, who lived and died in Israel. What a loss for such people! We should look at this lack and be driven to do something about it... to proclaim the Gospels and show others what it means to be faithful, hopeful, and loving Christians. That way those around us will have a chance to see and understand our God, who is Good and worth knowing.

What does pertain to God in our lives? What have we done to accomplish His Will in our lives? How are we spreading the Good News and the knowledge of Christ to all those who are around us?

O Lord, spread your Word and accomplish your Will through us.

Amen.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Thirty-First Thursday in Ordinary Time

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

We must believe God will do good things for us if we are to have any hope of eternal life. We must believe whatever we lack in our spiritual lives will be provided to us out of the bounty of our Lord. We must believe He will grant us blessings, graces, talents, and treasures to help us to achieve His Will in the world. We must be courageous and stouthearted and unwavering in our love of Him and all His children and trust that in the end all will be for our benefit and salvation.

Do we trust that good things will come to us, even when we are in our darkest hours? What can we do to build up and support our hope in God? Are we willing to wait for the Lord with courage?

O Lord, grant us the patience to wait for you.

Amen.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Thirty-First Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need. He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.

As Christians, we are called to be lights to the world. Our thoughts should enlighten ourselves and others and lead us to faithful and holy lives. Our words should bring the fires of hope into the world. Our works should reveal and magnify God’s Goodness and manifest it for all to see. We are meant to be gracious, merciful, and just, leading all whom we meet to a better way of life through the truth. We make present the Lord through our good deeds and we should do everything in our power to be the dawn in the darkness for all those in need of God’s Light.

Are our thoughts, words, and works good? Do we cultivate our lives so they are filled with graciousness, mercy, and justice? How can we become a light for others on their journey toward eternal life with God?

O Lord, help us to dawn through the darkness.

Amen.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Thirty-First Tuesday in Ordinary Time

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace. O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.

Pride is a vice none of us can afford to have. Wherever we find it in our lives, we need to uproot it, cast it away, and burn it to ashes. The temptation to pride is one that can bring low even the most holy of people. It can corrupt our good works by turning them into acts weighed down with self-righteousness and disdainful judgments of others. We can prize our own time, talents, and treasures above others. We hear the music of the Church and instead of focusing on the glory of God, we are lost in criticizing others for being poorer singers than we. We see someone act with charity or mercy and we say, “I could do better!” The prideful taint all they touch turning gold to lead and bountiful harvests into wilted crops. Instead of building up the body of Christ, they build themselves up like a tower of Babel, until they collapse under the weight of their own sins and selfishness. So, let us be humble people, busy not with self-important “great things,” but with selfless good things.

Have we found peace in our lives? How can we uproot pride from our lives? What can we do to be happy with being humble?

O Lord, make our hearts not proud, but good.

Amen.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Lord, in your great love, answer me. But I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.

Despite what we might suffer in this life, we should never lose hope. We should trust in God’s Goodness and Mercy and believe with all our hearts, minds, and strengths that He will save us. He loves us and will answer us at a time and in a way that has the greatest chance of guiding us to Heaven. When we are afflicted and in pain, He is there offering us healing. He wants to protect us, but will not force His protection upon us. He wants us to welcome Him into our lives and sing His praises. So, let us offer Him thanksgiving for all He has done, is doing, and will do for us, now and forever.

Do we seek consolation from God when we are afflicted or in pain? Do we ask for God’s protection from all evil? How can we sing His praises to others, especially those who are suffering themselves?

O Lord, let you saving help protect us.

Amen.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 has made us worthy of our callings in this life. He has given us the graces we need. He has provided us with gifts and talents and treasures sufficient to accomplish the works He wants us to do. He has blessed us in ways seen and unseen all so we might fulfill His Will on earth. If we fail to do good or avoid evil, it is not because He did not help us enough. It is because we ignored our calling, settled for something less, or choose a sinful life over a holy one. It is our fault and ours alone when we fall short because we are weighed down by doubts, fears, apathy, or selfishness. However, if we are willing to shrug off these things and place our trust in God, then there is no limit to how far we can go. We will be able to make the leaps of faith we need in order to achieve God’s Will and the world, including ourselves, will be better off for it.

Do we bring to fulfillment every good purpose and effort of faith? Do our thoughts, words, and works glorify God? What can we do to live up to the calling God has given us?

O Lord, make us worthy of your calling.

Amen.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

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. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

Death no longer has power over us. God has conquered it and sin through the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He has show us that death has no power over us if we know, love, and serve Him as faithfully as we can. As Christians, we have been crucified with Christ, we have accepted our crosses and willingly bear them toward our own Calvary. We proclaim our readiness to suffer and die for the glory of God and the good of others. And so, we do not fear death because we believe it is only a gateway to a more perfect union with God in Heaven. We see it as merely a threshold to cross so we can be with our Lord and nothing more.

Are we afraid of death? Do we fear what God might ask us to sacrifice in order to have eternal life with Him? How can we overcome these fears and place our trust in God?

O Lord, crucify our selfish selves and sinful bodies so we might be made anew in and through you.

Amen.

Friday, November 1, 2019

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.

We are all called to be saints. We are all made in the image of God and He loves us as Himself. He calls us His children and like any Father, He wants what is best for us. He wants to protect us from harm, show us the way to live holy and good lives, and offer us a seat at His Heavenly banquet table. No wonder the world does not know us! No wonder the world mocks and persecutes us! We are beloved by God and that love shines through us and stands in stark contrast to the dark places the world’s adherents cling to. We are made for loftier things than fame or fortune or pleasures or selfishness. We are made to go out from ourselves, to share our faith, hope, and love with all whom we meet so we will be revealed to be like our God. Caring compassionate, and welcoming of all who wish to be united with Christ and see the face of God as saints.

Do we accept our place as children of God and all the responsibilities that entails? Are we willing to be mocked and persecuted in order to spread the Good News that our heavenly Father has given us? How can we become more like Him in all we think, say, and do?

O Lord, we are your children now and forever.

Amen.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Thirtieth Thursday in Ordinary Time

Save me, O Lord, in your mercy. Do you, O GOD, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name’s sake; in your generous mercy rescue me; For I am wretched and poor, and my heart is pierced within me.

There are moments in our lives when we just have to ask God to save us. We are lost in a sea of confusion. We are battered by storms of doubt and difficulties. We are crushed beneath a mountain of worries. We are pierced by sufferings and sorrows. We don’t have the strength to get back onto our feet without God’s Help. Thankfully, God is always listening and He will never give us a burden we cannot bear. He will always grant us graces, blessings, and strengths to overcome our trials. He takes pity on us, wretched and poor, and deals kindly with us. He tends to our wounds, guides us back to where we are meant to be, and shows us the way forward.

Do we ask God to save us or do we try to save ourselves? How can we learn to trust that God will deal with us kindly and rescue us from harm? What can we do to imitate His generous mercy in our own daily lives?

O Lord, in your generous mercy rescue us.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Thirtieth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy. Look, answer me, O LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”; lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.

Our hope is indeed founded upon God’s Mercy. It is not up to us if we are forgiven. It is up to God. We can only offer small penances and repayments to God for what evils we have done and what goods we have failed to do. We are not perfect and depend upon His Divine Mercy. It is only through Him that we have a chance at redemption. It is only in Him that we have any hope of triumph. He is the source of our good, the center of who we should be, and the summit of what we are called to become. He is the light that guides us where we need to go and shows us the way out of the dark valleys that surround us.

Does our hope reside in God’s Divine Mercy? Do we allow God to light the way when we are lost? How can we become what we are called to be?

O Lord, answer us and give us your light.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Thirtieth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

The Lord has done marvels for us. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

God constantly offers us restoration. He provides for us a path to renewal and rejuvenation as His children. He gives us a way to shore up the foundations of our faith and rebuild areas of our spiritual lives that have fallen into disrepair. He wants our spiritual fortunes restored. He wants the roots of our lives watered and the branches of our lives to be fruitful. He wants us to sow no matter the difficulties so we can reap rejoicing. He wants us to prosper and the only way we can do that is to make Him the Source, Center, and Summit of our daily lives.

What marvels has God done for us? Do we thank Him for these graces and blessings? How can we learn to sow in tears so we can reap rejoicing?

O Lord, restore us.

Amen.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

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.

Jesus is the capstone of our faith. He is the one who bears the weight of our sins and makes amends for them. He is the one who holds us all together. We cannot support ourselves without his strength. He is the one who upholds us when we are weighed down by worldly worries and cares. He is the one around whom we grow together as one Body, united through the sacrifice of His Body and Blood. It is through following his teachings and example that we are built together into a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. So, let us all lean on Jesus in times of joy and times of sorrow so we might make ourselves into living temples sacred to the Lord, our God.

Have we built our lives around Christ as our capstone? In what ways has Jesus held our lives together? What can we do to shore up our trust and whole-hearted dependence upon God?

O Lord, build us into a dwelling place for your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.  To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

There are times when we will feel abandoned by family, friends, co-workers, and others. We feel alone in the world and tempted to despair or even anger at those who have forsaken us. However, we must remember the people in our lives, no matter how much we love them are imperfect, like us. They will not always do what is good or avoid what is wrong. Thankfully, we do not need them by our sides in our darkest hours. We can instead put our trust in God and allow Him to lead us out of the night and into the dawn. When we trust God in such a way, we allow Him to sanctify and bless our lives so they bear good fruits even among the worries and woes of the world. We are given strength by these gifts to go forth and proclaim the Good News to all who will hear it. When we choose to believe in the promises of Jesus Christ, we will be rescued from every evil, resurrected in spirit, and brought safely to God’s Heavenly Kingdom where we will glorify God forever.

Are we willing to forgive those who abandon us in our times of need? How can we place our complete trust in God? What can we do to proclaim the Good News even in the midst of our own trials?

O Lord, to you be glory forever and ever.

Amen.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Twenty-Ninth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.

As Christians we long to see God’s face. We strive to be good and faithful so one day we might be found worthy to join God in Heaven and spend eternity in the presence of the Beatific Vision. We want to join with all the angels and saints and sing our God’s praises forever and ever. We hope to ascend the mountain of the Lord and stand in the holy place of Heaven. This dream is only possible because of Jesus, who although sinless died for our sins and cleansed us all of our imperfections and iniquities. So, let us thank God for granting us such a compassionate brother in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Do we long to see God’s face more than anything else in this world? Do we strive to ascend to Heaven by following the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ? How can we more perfectly imitate our sinless brother, Jesus?

O Lord, we long to ascend to Heaven and see your face.

Amen.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Twenty-Ninth Friday in Ordinary Time

Lord, teach me your statutes. Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust.

God has given us commandments for a reason. He has provided the Scriptures for a purpose. He has provided us a Church and its Traditions for an end. They are there to teach us wisdom and knowledge. They are there to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. They give us an example to follow as Christians so we might bear God into the world around us and produce good fruits. If we ignore or deny any of these, we do great harm to ourselves. We uproot our lives and leave them to wither from apathy and rot from sin. It is only by keeping the commandments, living the Scriptural teachings of Christ, and accepting the Traditions of the Church that we can achieve our full potential as servants of God and become the saints we are called to be. So, let us do so willingly and faithfully and live up to our baptismal vocation to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths and others as God loves them.

Do we follow God’s statutes? Are we cultivating lives of holy wisdom and knowledge? How can we become more faithful to God’s commandments, Scriptures, and Church?

O Lord, teach us wisdom and knowledge.

Amen.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Twenty-Ninth Thursday in Ordinary Time

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

Sometimes we all fall into sin. We give into temptations and lose our way, but as Christians we are no longer slaves of sin. We are freed men and women and have the choice to make amends for our transgressions and to make ourselves right with God. We should indeed be ashamed of our failures, but we also cannot let them drag us into despair or keep us from seeking out God’s forgiveness. God is infinitely more merciful than we could ever be sinful and so we should not be afraid that He might deny us forgiveness If we seek it with humble and contrite hearts. When we return to God in this way, we declare ourselves slaves of His and allow Him to lead us toward holiness and salvation by whatever ways and means He decides are best for us. And it is up to us to remain in God’s service throughout our lives so one day we might be granted eternal life with Him.

Do we recognize there is no profit outside the service of our Lord and God? Are we willing to become slaves to God in all we think, say, or do? How can we rid ourselves of all those things that keep us from fully accepting the gifts of holiness and righteousness from our Heavenly King?

O Lord, free us from sin and accept us as your good and holy slaves.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Twenty-Ninth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Our help is in the name of the Lord. We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare; Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

We are often beset by the wickedness and snares of the Devil and the world. We are bombarded with temptations and assailed by evil. We are undermined by imperfections and apathy. We are weakened and chained by worries, doubts, and fears. However, God is always here to help us. He will rescue us from the fowler’s snare. He will protect us from temptations and evil. He will make firm our foundations by building up our faith, hope, and love. He will strengthen us and free us from all anxieties. He is our great Lord and Helper and we would do well to call on His Holy Name whenever we are in need or suffering.

Do we call on the Lord? Are we willing to allow God to break our chains and lead lives free from sin? How can we help to break the snares that others are trapped in?

O Lord, rescue us from the wickedness and snares of the Evil One.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Twenty-Ninth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!”

Everyone who trusts in God will be protected by Him. He does not leave any of His faithful servants undefended. Those who live their lives according to His Divine Will shall be given graces, blessings, and gifts that will see them through all things. He will be our light in the darkest of nights and lead us to where we need to be. His laws are written in our hearts and if we live by their spirit, then He will grant us inner peace and abundant love.

Do we think, speak, and act in accord with the Divine Laws written in our hearts? How can we be there for God like He is there for us? What can we do to live in harmony with God’s Will?

O Lord, to do your will is our delight.

Amen.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Twenty-Ninth Monday in Ordinary Time

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people. He has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David.

God comes to us every day, offering to set us free from our temptations, sins, worries, fears, doubts, and anxieties. He wants us to live peaceful lives full of love. He is a compassionate Father, who knows what is best for us and desires our good. He is a teacher, who shows us how to be faithful servants. He is a savior, who sacrificed Himself once and for all so we might join Him in Heaven. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and gifted us every grace. All so we might overcome the obstacles that try to keep us from being one in mind, body, and spirit with Him. So, let us make good use of all God has given us and allow Him to raise us up from the darkness of sin and into the light of holiness.

Do we welcome God into our lives each day? How can we prepare ourselves so we are open to God’s commandments, teachings, and inspirations? What can we do to help set others free from their own trials and tribulations?

O Lord, come and set us free.

Amen.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

We can learn a lot about how to live our lives from Scripture. We are shown time and again what it means to be a God-bearing person. We are given commandments to follow, teachings to live by, and guidance in leading holy lives. We are given corrections for our failures and trained in righteousness. If we live according to the Good News, we will be equipped for every good work. This is why it is so important to proclaim the Word of God through our every thought, word, and work. It not only builds up and reinforces our own holiness, but helps others to increase in faith, hope, and love. The life of Christian virtue is one we must live whether it is convenient or inconvenient so we can convince, reprimand, and encourage others in their own journeys toward God.

Do we take time each day to meditate on Scripture? How can we take what we learn from the Good News and put it into practice? What can we do to support others in their own faith journeys?

O Lord, help us to be persistent in living out the teachings of the Holy Scriptures you’ve provided us.

Amen.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

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

The Lord remembers his covenant forever. For he remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. And he led forth his people with joy; with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.

God doesn’t go back on His promises. When He says He’ll do something, He does it. When He says He won’t do something, He doesn’t. His “Yes,” means, “Yes.” His “No,” means, “No.” Thankfully for us, God has promised to love us like His children and to be merciful to us. He wants what is best for us and will do all He can, short of forcing us, to lead us to everlasting life with Him. He helps us to be good and faithful and holy people. He lifts us up when we are down. He lights our way when we are in darkness. He leads us forth with shouts of joy. He has picked us as His chosen ones. To accept this great gift, all we need to say is, “Yes,” to Him and mean it with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

Do we go back on our promises? If so, then how can we make our “Yes,” mean, “Yes,” and our “No” mean, “No”? What can we learn from the authentic life of Jesus, who showed us most perfectly how to be true to our words?

O Lord, help us to remember that you always keep your word.

Amen.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.

If we are friends to God, then we will make know the glorious splendor of His Kingdom. We will proclaim the Good News and strive to manifest His Love and Mercy in all our thoughts, words, and works. We will be just in all our ways and holy in our actions. We will not be afraid to stand for the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ. We will call upon Him in thanksgiving for all He has done for us and in petition for His help in our times of need. This is what we are all called to do as His beloved children and it should be our goal in life to meet the high standards God has set for us through the example of Jesus, our Lord, Savior, and Heavenly Brother.

How do we make God know in our lives? In what ways do we proclaim the Good News and manifest God’s Goodness to the world? Do we call upon Him with complete trust in His Will?

O Lord, help us to make you known to all the world.

Amen.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the LORD more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

Trusting in God means that sometimes we have to wait for Him. We need to learn patience and allow God to work in His own time. He knows better than us when we need help and what help is best for us. We might have our own notions about how God can help us, but they are not necessarily the best ways He can aid us. We can often grow impatience and upset when God seems to fail to answer our pleas, but that is our own selfishness blinding us to God’s work in our lives. He will never abandon us, we have only to bear our crosses and trust in His Saving Graces, which will come when and where it is most needed.

Do we trust in God and His Word? Are we patient enough to wait for His Help? Do we recognize all God is doing for us even in the midst of our trials?

O Lord, we wait for you more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Twenty-Eighth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works. Only in God is my soul at rest; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.

We will be judged by our works in this world. We will be weighed by our words, too. How we treat others will reflect on us and reveal to God how He should treat us. If our souls are in God and of Him, then we will do good and avoid evil and our souls will be at rest. However, if we are in and of the world, seeking earthly pleasures and acting out of vice, then our hearts will be greatly distressed when the time of Final Judgment comes. It is only in God that we will find salvation and eternal life. It is only by founding our lives upon Him that we can have any hope of withstanding the wickedness and snares of the Devil. God is our stronghold against the Evil One and when we think, speak, and act like Him, we are protected from spiritual attacks and our hearts remain calm because we know God is always there for us.

Do our souls rest in God or the world? How can we found our lives more perfectly upon the Rock of our Salvation? Do we give ourselves to others as we would want them to give themselves to us?

O Lord, in you our souls find rest.

Amen.