Thursday, January 31, 2019

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

In the day to day of the world, we can get distracted by lots of things. We can lose sight of what really matters. We can forget what we really should want above all... to see God’s face in Heaven. However, with prayer, practice, and persistence we can bring this desire to the forefront of our lives. We can find ways to overcome our distractions, worries, and fears and instead focus on what is truly important... our relationship with God and with His children.

How can we rid ourselves of all those distractions that keep us from living the Christ-like life? What can we do to found our lives more perfectly upon God’s Presence within us? How can we improve our relationship with the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

O Lord, help us to establish our lives upon you so that one day we might see your face.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Third Wednesday in Ordinary Time

 You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek. The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

Every good, grace, talent, and power we have has been given to us by God as a free gift. He provides everything we need to grow in faith, hope, and love because He wants us to spend the rest of eternity with Him. He wants us to rule over our minds, bodies, and spirits with prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice. He wants us to overcome the enemies of evil, temptation, and indifference. He wants us to follow in His Beloved Son’s footsteps and become priests, prophets, and servant kings.

Have we thanked God for all the goods, graces, talents, and powers He has given us? How can we rule over ourselves more perfectly? In what ways can we be more like Christ?

O Lord, thank you for the powers you have given us.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Third Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.

Sometimes we are called to wait for the Lord... to be patient and listen for His call. We don't know the hour when He will summon us to Him, but we can be ready to do His Will. We are like instruments waiting to be played. One day God will have need of us and He will stoop toward us and pick us up. He will test us out and see if we will play the notes He wants. Hopefully, He will find us receptive to Him and willing to work the music He has planned. If not, He might put us away for a while longer and come back to us later in hopes that we will ready ourselves for the work ahead. However, if He finds us ready, then He will make beautiful music through us and with us and in us... a music that will proclaim His glory and lead to our salvation. So, let us keep our souls in tune by doing good and avoiding evil... by confessing our sins, doing penance, and striving to be holy.

Are we waiting patiently for God's call? How can we make ourselves more open to His invitations to holiness? What can we do to keep ourselves ready for the work God has prepared for us?

O Lord, we are ready for you to put a new song into our mouths so that we might fulfill your will.

Amen.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

There are many ways we can sing God's praises. We can do so through prayerful thoughts and calm meditation. We can do so through contemplation of the Life of Christ and the Mysteries of our faith. We can do so through proclaiming the Good News. We can do so by speaking kindly to others or offering them words of encouragement in difficult times. We can do so through acts of charity poured out for God's children. We can do so through acts of forgiveness and mercy. Every good fruit we bear in this world is a song sung in praise of God and all He has done for us.

How can we sing God's praises through our thoughts? What about our words? What good works can we do to express our joy in being the children of God?

O Lord, we desire to sing your praises in everything we think, say, and do.

Amen.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

God’s words to us through the Scriptures and the Church are spirit and life-giving. They refresh our souls with their grace. They nourish our lives with their wisdom. If we trust in them, we will never be disappointed or misled. The Word Made Flesh came to help us to become living words of God, to prefect us in spirit, and to enlighten us in the Way, the Truth, and the Life we are all called to follow. As Christians, we are given the responsibility to become the Word of God for others and so let us proclaim the Good News in all things, at all times, to all peoples.

Do we listen to the word of God? Are we willing to let His Wisdom guide us? How do we bring God’s word into the world in our own lives?

O Lord, refresh our souls with your Divine Word.

Amen.

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity.

God treats all of us with equity. He doesn't show bias towards anyone. He gives to all of us exactly what we need when we need it. He gives us gifts and talents in accord with our natural abilities so we can glorify Him in our own unique ways. He does marvelous deeds for us each and every day in little and big ways. We can barely imagine the depths of His Love and Mercy. We can hardly guess at all that He has done for us. We should be ever grateful for the gift of His Divine Image and the freedom to love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

What marvelous deeds has God done for us? How can we repay Him for all He's done for us great and small? Do we treat others with the equity and generosity that God treats us?

O Lord, make us firm in faith and equitable in love.

Amen.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples!

Going out to all the world and telling the Good News can be a bit intimidating, but it isn’t impossible. We can go out to the world in all sorts of ways. Through the way we treat our family, our friends, our neighbors, and the strangers we meet each day. Perhaps the best way to proclaim the Good News is to simply embody it for others in our thoughts, words, and works. When we imitate Jesus Christ, we spread the faith, glorify God, and bring others closer to Him.

Are our lives giving glory to God? In what ways is God calling us to go out into the world and tell the Good News? How can we praise God to all whom we meet?

O Lord, help us to glorify you in all things.

Amen.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.”

The only sacrifice and oblation God wants from us is to do His Will in all things. This means being faithful to His commandments, Christ’s teachings, and the inspirations of the Spirit. This means placing our hope in God and trusting in His Grace and His Mercy. This means knowing, loving, and serving God and all His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. This means being obedient even to the point of sacrifice and death. This is the offering God wants from us... to imitate His Son, Jesus Christ, in all things and come to Him when He calls.

How can we make our lives into living sacrifices? What can we do to be better followers of the commandment, teachings, and inspirations of God? How can we more perfectly imitate Jesus in our lives?

O Lord, behold we come.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Second Wednesday in Ordinary Time

You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.”

No matter what challenges, worries, fears, disappointments, and enemies we face in life, we should be confident in the Lord. We should feel an unwavering hope in Him, trusting He will help us get through whatever difficulties we face. He will never abandon us, whether we are in times of plenty or times of need. He is our High Priest and is always watching out for us, sacrificing Himself for us, guiding us spiritually, and giving us every opportunity to do good, avoid evil, and repent.

Are we confident in God’s Divine Plan for us? How can we be more open to His guidance? What can we do to become a more hopeful people?

O Lord, thank you for being such a perfect priest to us.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

The Lord will remember his covenant forever. I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.

It can be tough to remember God’s covenant with us, especially in a world full of temptations and distraction. We can lose sight of God’s Goodness and the debts we owe Him for all the gifts He has given us over the years. We can take for granted God’s Love and Mercy and lose our way. Thankfully, God sends us daily reminders, great and small. Instances of His Presence in our lives. The greatest of these reminders is the Blessed Sacrament, which we can receive on a daily basis if we seek it out. And even when we can’t make it to Mass, God pours out His graces on us and makes us part of His company, His children. So, let us be thankful and delight in the works of the Lord.

Do we remember our covenant with God on a daily basis? Do we give thanks to Him for all He has done for us? How can we overcome everything that stands in the way of us being part of God’s company?

O Lord, great are your works.

Amen.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.”

Jesus became a priest and victim for us. He became man so he might know and sympathize with us. He became a living sacrament of God’s Love to the world. He became our teacher. He became our brother. He became our servant and king. He did all these things to love us more perfectly. He did it to unite himself with us through His Body and Blood. He did it to triumph over sin and death. He did it to lead us to eternal life with him forever.

How can we imitate the selflessness of Jesus? What is God asking us to become for Him? What can we do to love God more perfectly?

O Lord, thank you for all you’ve done for us.

Amen.

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another, the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another, mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of spirits; to another, varieties of tongues; to another, interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

We all manifest the Spirit in different ways. This is because we all have a unique role to play in God’s Divine Plan. He has given us gifts and talents that make us perfect instruments of His Divine Grace. However, we must accept these gifts and use them to the best of our abilities. The world will try to distract us from using our God-given gifts. The Devil will try to twist our talents for his own ends. It is up to us to use our consciences to guide our thoughts, words, and works so they lead to God’s greater glory and the good of all His children.

What gifts and talents do we have from God? How can we use them to proclaim the Good News and help others? How can we encourage others to do the same?

O Lord, help us to manifest your Spirit through our every word and work.

Amen.

Saturday, January 19, 2019

First Saturday in Ordinary Time

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

If we want to have a good life, then we need to be open to God’s Word and Spirit. We have to be willing to live in accordance to the Scriptures and the traditions of the Church. We know and think imperfectly, but we can depend upon the Wisdom of God to overcome our failings. If we trust God, He will lead us to the best possible lives. He will give us wisdom and love and life. He will refresh our souls when they are thirsty and feed our spirits when they are hungry. He will prepare a banquet for us and lead us to life everlasting. All we have to do is listen to the Divine Word and act like Christ in all things.

Do we accept God’s Word and Spirit into our lives? Do we allow Him to refresh our souls and give us wisdom? Do we trust that God’s Plan will lead to our good, even if it requires great sacrifices?

O Lord, give us your wisdom and refresh our souls.

Amen.

Friday, January 18, 2019

First Friday in Ordinary Time

Do not forget the works of the Lord! What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, we will declare to the generation to come The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.

The world is a distracting place. It can make us forget all sorts of things. Our responsibilities, our loved ones, even our God. It’s so easy to overlook God in a world full of people, places, and things that are crying out, “Look at us!” We can go from moments of devotion to moments of distraction in the blink of an eye. But this is part of the struggle we all have as Christians. It isn’t easy to constantly recall the debts and gratitude we owe God for all He has done for us. However, we must try our best and when we do remember God, we must throw ourselves entirely into declaring His glorious deeds and strength through our thoughts, words, and works. For if we do not remind the world of God, then we have failed in our duty as a Christian to be a light to all the nations.

What distractions are vying for our attention? How can we bring God to the forefront of our lives? What can we do to proclaim God to all the world?

O Lord, let us never forget the works you have done for us.

Amen.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

God is our Shepherd and Guide. He calls out to us for our own protection and to lead us to greener pastures. He wants us to grow in faith, hope, and love so we might become good and faithful children and produce good for all. When we are weak, He will carry us. When we are confused, He will call out to us. When we are lost, He will seek us out. He will never abandon us, He will always do everything in His power to lead us safely home to Him and Heaven. So, the least we can do is to listen for His voice in our hearts and do whatever He tells us.

Are our hearts hardened by the world or open to the inspirations of our Heavenly Father? Do we bow down and worship God as He deserves? Do we thank Him for shepherding us and guiding us to life everlasting?

O Lord, keep our hearts from being hardened by the world and our own weaknesses.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

First Wednesday in Ordinary Time

The Lord remembers his covenant forever. Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

As members of the Body of Christ, we are supposed to live our lives in such a way as to give glory and thanks to God and to invoke His Name wherever we go. We are supposed to make Him known among the nations, sing His praises, and proclaim His wondrous deeds. We can’t do any of these things if we don’t imitate Jesus Christ in our thoughts, words, and works. When people meet us, they should know we are Christians by our love, mercy, and caring. Just as God remembers His covenant with us forever, so we must remember our role in that covenant... as good and faithful servants willing to sacrifices ourselves and our goods for the glory of God and the good of others.

Do we remember God’s covenant with us each and every day? How do we make God known in our lives? What do we do to proclaim His wondrous deeds?

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

Amen.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

First Tuesday in Ordinary Time

You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands. O LORD, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him?

It is hard to imagine why God loves us so much. We have so little to offer Him other than our good works, sacrifices, and love. Compare these to the wondrous works, the ultimate sacrifice, and the unending love He has give us. And yet, God is mindful of us. He cares for us. He loves us. In fact, He is so in love with us that He made us in His Image. He has sacrificed His Beloved Son for us. He has given us His Spirit. Everything He is, He has given us even though we can never truly repay Him. He has given everything to us as a gift because He wants us to succeed in becoming holy people, who love Him and reflect His Image to all the world.

Do we appreciate all that God has done, is doing, and will do for us? What are we being called to do in response to God’s gracious gifts? How can we become more faithful, hopeful, and loving children to our caring Lord?

O Lord, we glorify your name over all the earth.

Amen.

Monday, January 14, 2019

First Monday in Ordinary Time

Let all his angels worship him. The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. 

The Lord is our King and like the angels we were made to worship him. We were made to know Him through the Scriptures and through the traditions of the Church. We were made to love Him through prayer, alms, and mortification. We were made to serve Him and all His children through acts of charity and mercy. We were made to rejoice in Him and be glad. We were made to be founded on justice and wise judgment so we might be instruments of His grace to the world around us and proclaim the Good News to all whom we meet each day.

How do we worship God? What do we do to bring joy and gladness to the world and good tidings to all? Are our lives founded on justice and wisdom?

O Lord, we worship you as our King and Savior.

Amen.

Sunday, January 13, 2019

The Baptism of the Lord

The Lord will bless his people with peace. Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.

We have much to give to the Lord. He has done so much for us that we can never repay Him, but we can do what is right and give Him everything we can... our time, our talents, our treasures. We can give Him our love, our hope, our faith. We can give Him glory, honor, and praise. We can give Him all that is due to Him by knowing, loving, and serving Him and all his children. He has given us peace and blessing, the least we can do is to become instruments of His peace and blessing to the world.

What are we giving to God? Are we giving enough? How can we give more of ourselves to God and all His children?

O Lord, we want to give you the glory due to your Holy Name.

Amen.

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Saturday After Epiphany

The Lord takes delight in his people. Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

We should all be glad in our maker for He has done marvelous things for us. He created us and saw that it was very good. He delights in us. He loves us and gives us ever spiritual blessing. He will never abandon us. He will always treat us as His beloved children. How wonderful that we should have such a compassionate and caring Heavenly Father to protect us. He is constantly helping us in little and great ways. He does everything in His power to lead us to become holy people and share eternal life with Him.

Do we thank God for making us? How can we learn to delight in God as much as He delights in us? What can we do to rejoice in our Father and our King?

O Lord, we are glad in you.

Amen.

Friday, January 11, 2019

Friday After Epiphany

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you.

We have much to praise God for in our lives. He has given us everything from our own lives to the life of His Beloved Son. He has created and protected us. He has loved and blessed us. He has forgiven us our trespasses against Him and others. Whenever we turn to Him for help, He aids us... perhaps not always in the way we envisioned, but always in the way we need. He has strengthened us through grace and will never leave our side. He is our rock, our shelter, our foundation. As long as we trust in Him, we will never be overcome by the wickedness and snares of the Devil. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and this is why we praise and glorify Him, because He is a Good and Loving Father.

Do we realize how much God has done for us? How can we imitate His Generosity in our own lives? How can we become blessings in the lives of others?

O Lord, we praise you.

Amen.

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Thursday After Epiphany

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. From fraud and violence he shall redeem them, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. May they be prayed for continually; day by day shall they bless him.

God sent His Beloved Son into the world to redeem us from sin, hatred, violence, selfishness, and all other evils. He purchased our lives with the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. He made His Son into a living sacrifice through Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We should all be humbled to think that God came down from Heaven, became man, and sacrificed Himself for a people who constantly sin against Him. How many of us would be willing to sacrifice ourselves for those who ignore, abandon, persecute, and abuse us on a daily basis? And yet, this is what God calls us all to do... to love others as He loves them, which means being willing to suffer and even die for those who would do neither for us.

Do we thank God for all He has redeemed us from in this life? How can we act more Christ-like in our treatment of others, especially those whom we find most difficult to love? What can we do to prepare ourselves to become living sacrifices to God for others?

O Lord, bless us and make us into holy sacrifices to you for others.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Wednesday After Epiphany

 Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.

Just as God rescues the poor and afflicted, so must we. We must be on a constant lookout for those who are in need or suffering and offer them whatever we can to help. We must be willing to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, free the captives, care for the sick and dying, bury and pray for the dead. Our every thought, word, and work should be guided by love and mercy. We should show others pity even when we dislike them or uncomfortable around them. God didn’t give us lives to be free from hardship and sacrifice. He gave us lives so that we might imitate His Son’s compassion toward others.

What is God calling us to do for the poor and afflicted? How can we use our time, talents, and treasures to help those in need? How can we cultivate a spirit of compassion within us even for our enemies?

O Lord, make us into a compassionate people.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Tuesday After Epiphany

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

We are all called to be instruments of God’s Justice. Thankfully, God has given us many graces that help us to be just. He has endowed us compassion and mercy, prudence and wisdom. He wants us to be just to our family, to our friends, to our neighbors, and to all those whom we meet each day. He wants us to govern ourselves with justice, too. Not allowing our failings to discourage us or our gifts to make us proud. He wants us to make good judgments by being prayerful in our discernment of His Will. And when we don’t have time to pray, He wants us to trust our good conscience and let it guide our actions.

How can we become better instruments of God’s Justice? How can we grow in wisdom, prudence, mercy, and compassion? What can we do to govern our lives justly in the eyes of God?

O Lord, endow us with your judgment.

Amen.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Monday After Epiphany

I will give you all the nations for an inheritance. The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.”

God has given us all a great inheritance. He has provided us life for a reason. He has not given us the gifts and goods we have to squander them on worldly things. He wants us to use them to proclaim His Good News in great and small ways. Not all of us are called to be prophets, priests, or kings, but we all have duties that reflect these roles. We are asked to speak the Truth like the Prophet of Prophets. We are called to make our lives into sacrifices like the Priest of Priests. We are called to know, love, and serve God and others like the King of Kings. We can't do these things if we prefer the lies of the world, allow our possessions to possess us, avoid suffering at all costs, or choose to be selfish. No, the only way to be found worthy of our spiritual inheritance is to accept it and then live our lives in accordance with God's Will.

Are we using our inheritance wisely and well? How can we become better stewards of God's gifts and blessings? How can we avoid the temptations and traps of the world?

O Lord, we are your children and accept your will.

Amen.

Sunday, January 6, 2019

The Epiphany of the Lord

It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:  that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We are all coheirs in the promise of Christ Jesus. We are all members of the same body. The Three Wise Men came to the Christ child, led by a star and in hope of meeting the Messiah. They brought him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In the same way, we come to Christ, too, and give him our time, talents, and treasures. We know all our thoughts, words, and works find their source, center, and summit in God, who is our Father and our King. He has adopted us as His own children through the sacrifice of His Beloved Son and the love of the Holy Spirit.

Do we act like coheirs to the promise of Christ? What are we doing to be co-partners in God's Divine Plan of salvation? What gifts do we have to give to the King of Kings and our fellow children of God?

O Lord, make us co-partners in spreading the Good News.

Amen.

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song.

Serving the Lord can be difficult at times. With all the anxieties and worries of the world we can sometimes forget our call to service or put it on the back burner. Health, finances, relationships can all get in the way of our vocations. Thankfully, the greatest vocation is to love God and one another and no matter what is going on in our lives, we should always have time for great and small acts of love. It is through these works of charity and mercy that we truly proclaim the Good News. It is through them that we sing to God with joy, bringing gladness to the people around us.

How can we serve God more faithfully? What can we do to make more time for God and others in our lives? How can we spread gladness and joy to the people around us?

O Lord, we hope to know, love, and serve you with gladness.

Amen.

Friday, January 4, 2019

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.

All of creation resounds with joy before the Lord. From the sky to the earth, from the sun to the moon, from the birds in the air to the fish in the sea... everything that was created echoes the goodness of God. He created everything from His Word from the rivers to the mountains and all the living creatures of this world. Most amazing of all, He created us in His Own Image. He granted us free will and the ability to choose the good over the evil. He created us to love Him and each other and spread the Good News throughout the world.

Do our thoughts, words, and works resound with joy before the Lord? Do they bring joy to others? Do they spread the Good News?

O Lord, let us shout with joy before you so all who dwell in the world will know and love you as we do.

Amen.

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Christmas Weekday

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

As Christians we should foster a spirit of joy throughout the year. We should constantly rejoice in our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior, our Holy Advocate. Each of these three persons in the Holy Trinity should be praised and thanked with happy hearts. We should delight in the love our Heavenly Father shows us each and every day. We should enjoy the presence of Jesus in the Word and in the Blessed Sacrament. We should be glad for all the inspirations and guidance we receive from the Holy Spirit. We are all marvelously blessed by our God and there should be no hesitation to sing praise to our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.

How do we celebrate the joys the Heavenly Father has give us? What about the joys of the Son? What about the joys of the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, we sing joyfully to you.

Amen.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

The world around us should see the saving power of God reflected in us. Our thoughts, words, and works should mirror those of Christ so when others see us they should know we are Christians by our love. There should be no doubt about our faith, hope, and love when a person sees us in action. Our deeds, although not always wondrous or great, should sing to the Lord, giving Him praise for all He has done for us. Our lives should win victory for him in great and small things by revealing God’s Goodness through our acts of charity and mercy. Just as Jesus proclaimed the Good News through his holy life, so we should do the same.

Do our lives reflect the saving power of God? Do they proclaim the Good News and sign of God’s Glory? How can our acts of charity and mercy win victory for God in the hearts of others?

O Lord, we see your saving power and pray to become instruments of it for all.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God


May God bless us in his mercy. May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.

We all need God’s pity and blessing. None of us are without sins and imperfections. None of us are strong enough to resist all temptation. God knows this and that is why He sent His Beloved Son to become one of us and offer himself as a sacrifice for our failings. It is God’s pity that brings us blessing, but it is God’s Love that brings us His pity. It is His Divine Love that makes His face shine upon us and leads us to salvation. Truly, we are blessed in His Mercy and we would do well to be merciful ourselves for we will be judged as we treated others, for good and ill. Better for us if our thoughts, words, and works are weighed more towards selflessness and good than toward selfishness and evil.

Do we thank God for His Mercy and Blessings? How can we be as merciful as God is toward us? Do our thoughts, words, and works make known God’s Way of Love to others?

O Lord, bless us in your mercy.

Amen.