Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Second Tuesday of Easter

The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. The LORD is king, in splendor robed; robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.

God is our King and as such deserves our respect. We should fear disappointing Him, not because He will punish us for our faults, but because He is a Good Father and we don’t want to disappoint Him. He is robed in majesty and so we bow before His Will and sing His glory and praises. He is robed in splendor and so we allow Him to lead us. He is girted with strength and so we seek His help through the teachings of Jesus and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. As His children and heirs, all His Kingdom is promised to us if we will accept it and all the rights and responsibilities that come with living out our baptismal promises.

Do we show respect to God in our thoughts, words, and works? How can we live our lives as worthy heirs to our Father? What can we do to build up the Heavenly Kingdom on earth?

O Lord, you are robed in majesty, splendor, and strength.

Amen.

Monday, April 29, 2019

Second Monday of Easter

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the LORD and against his anointed: "Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!"

Many nations rage against Christian values. Their people utter every folly against the followers of Christ. Mockery and persecution are not things of the distant past. They are constantly circling every Christian looking for any weakness. Some of these are subtle attacks. Others are blatant and violent. Many leaders and politicians conspire against our faith, its teachings, and ultimately our God. All we can do as Christians is defend ourselves with good words and works that speak to the heart of others and make clear we are a people of truth, conviction, and love that will never bow or bend to the pressures of the world.

Are we taking refuge in the Lord in the midst of our trials? Have we prepared ourselves to be persecuted? How can we resist the mockery of the world with our good words and works?

O Lord, help us overcome all our worldly persecutors.

Amen.

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Sunday of Divine Mercy

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.”

God’s Mercy endures forever. When He forgives us, it isn’t like how we forgive. Sometimes we are tempted to bring up old wounds to those who have harmed us. We do this especially when we are annoyed with another person such as a sibling, friend, and co-worker. We snap and say things that could be hurtful. This is why it’s so important to keep in mind the example of Christ on the cross. He was arrested, beaten, mocked, and scourged. He was forced to carry his cross and was treated like a criminal. And yet, he bore these terrible burdens without complaint and forgave his persecutors. He does this for us, too. If only our mercy and forgiveness could mirror his!

How do we give thanks to God for His Goodness and Love? How do we show others God’s Mercy? What can we do to keep ourselves from giving into the temptation to point out past harms done to us?

O Lord, we are thankful for your goodness.

Amen.

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just.

When we are in need of strength and courage, all we have to do is ask for them and God will provide. If we need joy or justice, all we have to do is seek them out in the Lord and He will grant them to us. If we desire mercy and love, then all we have to do is knock at the door of Jesus’ Sacred Heart and he will let us in. God is good and He will never ignore us. If our prayers are seemingly unanswered, then perhaps God is answering us in an unexpected and better way. Because He loves us, He does not always give us what we want. He knows better than us what we would do with our requests and sometimes we aren’t ready for our prayers to be answered.

Do we give thanks to God for not only when He answers our prayers, but also when He answers them in ways we don’t expect or might not even like? Do we ask Him for the graces to be strong and courageous in the faith? How can we be as just and merciful as God?

O Lord, we shout for joy for you have answered us with love and mercy.

Amen.

Friday, April 26, 2019

Friday in the Octave of Easter

The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.”

It is probably difficult for us as Christians to understand how the people of Jesus’ time could reject, scourge, and crucify such a loving and good person. However, when we think about our own lives it becomes much clearer just how people can turn their backs on Jesus. We reject him every time we choose selfishness over selflessness. We reject him every time we take the easy road of sin instead of the hard path of holiness. We reject him when we judge others rather than love and forgive them. We reject him when we feel superior to others instead of being humble and merciful. Those who rejected and crucified Jesus weren’t very different from us and some of them even became Christians after he rose from the dead. Thankfully, just because we turn our backs on Jesus from time to time doesn’t doom us to destruction. It simply means that like Paul we have to cast aside our old sinful ways and embrace God’s Divine Mercy, which endures forever.

In what ways have we rejected God in our lives? What part of ourselves is built upon the unstable sands of the world and which are built on God? How is God’s Mercy at work in our lives?

O Lord, we fear disappointing you, but if we do, then please be merciful to us.

Amen.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth! 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 can be humbling to think about how much God cares for us. He created us out of pure love. He gave us His Beloved Son as a teacher and as a sacrifice for our sins. He sent his Holy Spirit into the world to be our constant guide and inspirer. He treats each and every one of us as if we are the center of His Universe. He is always with us no matter what and provides for our every spiritual need. He is a devoted Father to us all. We can only hope to imitate Him to the best of our abilities and be good and faithful servants to His Will.

How can we become more mindful of God? What can we do to help ourselves and others to appreciate Him for all He has done for us? How can we care for God’s children as much as He does?

O Lord, give us the grace to be as caring as you are.

Amen.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. 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.

There are many things in this world that can distract us from seeking the Lord. Pride can keep us from doing God’s Will above our own. Envy can poison our relationships with others. Anger can cause us to seek revenge instead of mercy and forgiveness. Greed can distract us from spiritual goods in favor of material ones. Lust can lead us to abuse and use ourselves and others for pleasure. Gluttony can cause us to gorge ourselves on things that are not of God. Sloth can lure us into a spiritual sleep where indifference and apathy overcome our call to service to others. With all these vices constantly calling out to us, it can be hard to hear the voice of the Lord. However, if we seek Him out each day in prayer and meditation upon the mysteries of our faith, then we will know God and be able to proclaim His wondrous deeds to all the nations.

Do we spend our days seeking the Lord or worldly things? Are we living our lives in such a way as to give thanks to God? How do we proclaim His wondrous deeds among the nations?

O Lord, help our hearts to always seek you.

Amen.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

God loves the goodness for He is good. God loves the righteous for He is upright. God loves justice for He is just. God loves kindness for He is kind. God loves the faithful for He is the Way. God loves the trustworthy for He is the Truth. God loves the joyful for He is the Life. In Him is the fullness of existence and redemption. We will never be disappointed if we remain by His side and allow Him to lead us where we need to go and inspire us to do what must be done.

Do we see the goodness of the world God created? How can we magnify that goodness and lead others to a closer relationship with our Creator? How can we embody all the virtues that have their source, center, and summit in our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, the earth is full of your goodness.

Amen.

Monday, April 22, 2019

Monday in the Octave of Easter

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.” O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.

God is our hope. In Him we are safe from all distress. In Him we find rest. In Him we find purpose. In Him we find love and mercy and grace. He is the Lord of our Longing and only in Him will we ever find fulfillment. All the things of the world will pass away and be forgotten, but His relationship with us will always remain. He is our allotted portion and our cup of salvation. He has given us everything we need to have eternal life. We just have to throw our lot in with Him.

How do we give hope to others? What do we do to keep God’s children safe? Are we willing to put all our hopes in God, trusting He will lead us to the best of endings?

O Lord, you are our hope and safety.

Amen.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

The Resurrection of the Lord the Mass of Easter Sunday

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”

Let us give thanks for the present of Easter, the gift of salvation, and the reward of eternal life. The Lord made the Sabbath for us. He prepared for it from the beginning of time and carried through on the promises He made to our ancestors. He gave His Beloved Son to the cross in order to cleanse our sins through His Body and Blood. He showed us mercy in spite of our sins, our failings, our faults, our doubts, our anxieties, our fears, and our indifferences. Imagine sacrificing ourselves for people who give us nothing but apathy, mockery, and evil. Could we give up our lives for such as these? God tells us, “Yes!” and so, we should make ourselves into living sacrifices... no matter the cost.

How will we celebrate this Easter season? How can we give thanks to God for all the good He has done for us? How can we show mercy to others?

O Lord, your mercy endures forever.

Amen.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Holy Saturday – Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all—the earth is full of your creatures. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.

God created the world to be good. He made us to be good. He provides everything we need to live in this world. He gives us love and the light of faith. His works are indeed manifold! His Divine Wisdom is woven into the very fabric of reality itself. Every creature on the earth, in the water, under the soil, or in the sky bears the gift of creation inside them. And one day, all of these things will be renewed by the Holy Spirit and made new so we call enjoy them all in the afterlife.

Are we calling out for and accepting the Holy Spirit into our lives? How are we reflecting the manifold works of the Lord? What can we do to be as good as God is?

O Lord, grant us the wisdom to see all you have wrought in the light of faith, hope, and love.

Amen.

Friday, April 19, 2019

Good Friday

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.

We would be wise to echo the words of Christ and commend our spirits to our Heavenly Father. Entrusting our hearts, minds, spirits, and bodies into His hands is not always easy. It requires a great deal of courage to let go and let God. However, if we want to have a share in His Kingdom, then we must be willing to commit ourselves to God’s care and protection and allow Him to rescue us from all evil. If we do this, then He will pay whatever price is necessary to redeem us. He showed us this eternal truth through the Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. His Body and Blood are our refuge and each time we receive Him in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, we renew our desire to remain in the shelter of His Hands.

Do we commend ourselves into the hands of our Heavenly Father on a daily basis? In what ways do we show our trust in God and His Divine Plan? How can we imitate our Good God and become refuges to others?

O Lord, into your hands we commend our spirits.

Amen.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ. How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

As Christians, we are called to a deep communion with God through the Body and Blood of Christ. This sacrifice speaks to the boundless love and mercy our Heavenly Father has for us and by receiving the Eucharist, we proclaim our own love for Him and our willingness to suffer whatever is necessary for the salvation of souls. When we eat the Body of Christ and drink His Blood, we proclaim not only our faith in the Lord, but also our intention to listen to His Truth, walk His Way, and live His Life. We accept the cup of salvation and all the sacrifices it holds for us. To be in communion with Christ, is to be in union with His Passion, Death, and ultimately His Resurrection.

Do we seek out communion as often as we can? In what ways do we show our unity with God and other Christians? Are we willing to take up the cup of salvation and all the trials and graces it contains?

O Lord, help us to make a return to you for all the good you’ve done for us through the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Amen.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Wednesday of Holy Week

Lord, in your great love, answer me. For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.

The world constantly blasphemes and mocks our faith and us for having it. It tells us we are fools. It says we are superstitious. It says we are wasting our time. It insults us for our beliefs. It shames us and calls us outcasts. We are strangers to the world, but we should be thankful because when we are too close to the world, we lose sight of what is right and good and just. So, let us ignore the protests of the world and instead let zeal for God consume us and make us into good and faithful servants.

What can we do to resist the insults of the world? How can we show those who persecute us that our faith is a boon and not a curse? Are we willing to become outcasts and defend our faith?

O Lord, we are willing to bear any insult or shame for you.

Amen.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Tuesday of Holy Week

 I will sing of your salvation. In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me.

We will never be put to shame for our faith. The world might try to shame us in various ways for our beliefs, but if we remain faithful and true, then we will triumph in the end. God will rescue us from injustice and deliver us from evil. He is always listening to us through our prayers and watching us in action. And if we are thinking, speaking, and doing His Will, then He will save us. He is a refuge for all whom are good and faithful, which is certainly something to sing about.

Who has tried to shame us for our faith? How can we respond to them with love and in such a way as to build up the faith of others? Are we as faithful to listening to God as He is to listening to us?

O Lord, we sing of your salvation.

Amen.

Monday, April 15, 2019

Monday of Holy Week

The Lord is my light and my salvation. When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh, My foes and my enemies themselves stumble and fall.

Our enemies will stumble and fall. They might lord it over us in this world. They might persecute and mock us. They might gain wealth, fame, and glory for themselves. They might triumph in this life and the eyes of worldly people. But they will never win. In the end, they will find themselves on the wrong side. They will be brought low. They will be silenced. They will lose everything they strived for. They will be defeated in the eyes of heaven. So, let us follow the Lord of Light and let him lead us through this valley of tears and trials into the Promised Land... to our salvation.

Who are our enemies? Do we pray for them and love them as Jesus did in his most holy and merciful life? Do we trust that no matter what our enemies do to us, we will never lose if we have God in our hearts, minds, and souls?

O Lord, turn the hearts of our enemies away from evil and to good.

Amen.

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.”

There are times in our lives when we feel abandoned. Our family, our friends, our neighbors fail us in some great or small way or persecute us in some manner. They mock us... perhaps for our beliefs or our way of life or any number of things. They scoff at us and shake their heads at us. Sometimes we even feel God has left us, but nothing can be further from the truth. He is always with us and if we rely on Him, He will deliver us from our fears, doubts, worries, and foes. He will rescue us because He loves us even to the point of sacrificing His Only Beloved Son for us on the cross.

How can we fight off the feeling of abandonment? What can we do to remind ourselves that God is with us? Are we willing to place our lives in God’s Hands and rely on His saving grace?

O Lord, rescue us.

Amen.

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Fifth Saturday of Lent

The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

Sometimes God allows us to be scattered. He allows trials and tribulations to enter our lives and turn them upside down. He doesn’t do this to torment or harm us. He does this because He wants to test our metal. He wants to know if we truly love and serve Him or if we are only giving Him lip service when everything is going our way. He allows our difficulties to reveal our hearts and minds and hopefully to strengthen our faith, hope, and charity. It is much easier to think and say we are Christians, but much more difficult to show we are Christians by our love. Thankfully, after we are scattered, God comes to gather us again, bringing peace and guarding us from harm. We have only to pass through these dark nights to see the rising Son of the Resurrection and life eternal.

Do we turn to God when we are scattered by fears, doubts, and worries? Do we welcome Him into our lives when He comes to gather us back into His flock? Are we willing to let Him lead us where we need to go?

O Lord, guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Amen.

Friday, April 12, 2019

Fifth Friday of Lent

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice. I love you, O LORD, my strength, O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.

God is always listening for our voice, in good times and in our distress. He waits patiently for us to turn to Him in our triumphs and our hours of need. He hears our prayers of thanksgiving as well as those of petition. He is our Rock in Whom we trust. He is our fortress against fear, doubt, and worries. He is our deliverer from sin, death, and evil. If we come to Him with humble and contrite hearts, He will welcome us into His Grace and lead us to eternal life.

Do we believe God is listening? Then, why do we hesitate or forget to praise His Holy Name, ask Him for help, or plead for His Mercy? How can we show our love for God, Who shows us love and compassion every moment of our lives?

O Lord, we call upon you, hear our voices.

Amen.

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Fifth Thursday of Lent

The Lord remembers his covenant forever. Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.

There are many reasons to look at the Lord and seek to serve Him constantly. He is our Heavenly Father, who created us and now protects us for evil. He is our Beloved Brother, who showed us the Way, the Truth, and the Life and wants only to lead us to salvation. He is our Holy Advocate, who inspires us to do the right thing and helps us be the best versions of ourselves. He is true to His Word and has adopted us as His children. He loves us. He is merciful toward us. He pours out His graces upon us. He has wrought wondrous deeds for us, but He has also wrought small miracles in our lives that we won’t really know about until they are revealed in the next life. He has given us every guidance along the way so we might not be lost to the world, but walk the narrow path to heaven. Let us hope we will devotedly follow Him so that one day we will be called His good and faithful servants.

Are we serving God constantly in all our thoughts, our words, and our works? Do we seek Him as we ought? How can we recall and give thanks for all His wondrous deeds?

O Lord, we look to you in your strength and strive to serve you constantly.

Amen.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Fifth Wednesday of Lent

Glory and praise forever! “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.”

Our heavenly Father deserves to be glorified and praised. He is our Creator. He is our protector. He is our refuge in whom we trust. He is all the things we should aspire to be. He is our Savior through His Beloved Son. He is our guide through the Holy Spirit. His is the name we should glorify and praise above all others. He is the source, the center, and the summit of all that is good and should take the place of honor in our hearts, minds, and souls.

In what ways do we glorify and praise our Heavenly Father? How do we allow Him to help and guide us? What can we do to lead others to a greater appreciation and love for our Good God?

O Lord, we will glorify and praise you forever.

Amen.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Fifth Tuesday of Lent

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.

We all have days of distress. Sometimes they are caused by family and friends, other times by co-workers or neighbors. Strangers and uncontrollable events can also cause us distress, but we can also cause ourselves the distress, too. No matter the cause, we must turn to God in prayer if we want to be freed from our anxieties, fears, and doubts. We must share our worries with God so He can answer them speedily in His own way. The answers He gives might be easy or hard, but they are always for our best. We have only to accept them and do His Will.

What is causing our distress? Have we asked God for His help with these problems? Are we truly listening for His answers?

O Lord, hear our prayer and save us from all our distress.

Amen.

Monday, April 8, 2019

Fifth Monday of Lent

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

When we live the Christ-like life, we have nothing to fear. There is no challenge, no enemy, no obstacle, no worry, no trial, no evil, no suffering that can truly harm us. When we have the light of Christ within us, we cannot go astray. God will lead us back to Himself, no matter where we are. When we rest in God, we can be at complete peace because He will water our souls with grace and refresh us with His Divine Love. When we allow the Lord to be our Shepherd, we will always have a home with Him and He will protect and guide us and lead us to the greener pastures of Paradise.

Are we unafraid to walk the way of the Lord? Are we willing to let Him shepherd us to where we need to go and what we need to do? How can we learn to rest beside Him and let Him refresh our souls?

O Lord, be our shepherd through dark valleys to verdant pastures and restful waters.

Amen.

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Fifth Sunday of Lent

For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish,  that I may gain Christ and be found in him,  not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Jesus lived, suffered, died, and resurrected for us. He sacrificed everything to bring us salvation. In the eyes of the world, He lost all that he had. And yet, in the eyes of his faithful, He lost nothing. Instead, he gained everything. Should it be any different for us? No, we must also be willing to lose everything in order to do God’s Will. We must consider the world and all it offers us to be so much rubbish. We must strive to be faithful and righteous in a land that is neither. In the end, the only way for us to attain resurrection from the dead is to be willing to die to our passions, our desires, and ourselves.

Are we willing to accept the loss of all things in order to do God’s Will? How can we nourish our faith in Christ so we might grow in righteousness? What can we do to know, love, and serve God and all His children more faithfully?

O Lord, conform us to your death so we might attain the resurrection.

Amen.

Saturday, April 6, 2019

Fourth Saturday of Lent

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge. O LORD, my God, in you I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, Lest I become like the lion’s prey, to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me.

God is our refuge, protecting from evil and sheltering us from the storms of life. Through His compassion, He shows us how to be a refuge for others. He shows us how to love all His children, even those who are most difficult to love. He shows us how to provide for the needy. He shows us how to comfort the suffering. He shows us how to be good as He is Good. He shows us how to rescue those in danger. He shows us how to be holy in all things. He does all of this because He wants us all to grow into living tabernacles, bearing Him into the world through our thoughts, words, and words... through our almsgiving, prayers, and mortifications.

Do we turn to God when we are in need of shelter? Are we a refuge for others? How can we follow God’s example and become living tabernacles of God’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity?

O Lord, help us to become living refuges for all those in need.

Amen.

Friday, April 5, 2019

Fourth Friday of Lent

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.

Ultimately, we will be sorted into one of two categories: the just or the evildoers. There is no middle ground with God. We cannot walk the line between good and evil. We cannot pretend indifference. We cannot refuse to make a choice. We will either be good and faithful servants or we shall be evil and rebellious tenants. When the Day of Judgment comes, and it will for us all, we shall stand before God and have to answer for all we have done and not done. If we have chosen wrong over right, then we shall be destroyed. If we have avoided evil and done good, then we shall have eternal life. Those are the only two paths open to us. Hopefully, we shall choose wisely and well.

Do we act justly toward God and His children? Are we willing to uproot the evils that seek to corrupt us? How can we make ourselves more open to being rescued from our distress?

O Lord, we cry out for your help in our times of need.

Amen.

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Fourth Thursday of Lent

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. Our fathers made a calf in Horeb and adored a molten image; They exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bullock.

If we are not careful, we too can make false idols in our lives. We can allow someone or something to become more important than our faith. We can allow the world to lead us astray and cause us to place our trust and energies into empty pursuits. We can convince ourselves that wrong is right and walk the wide road to spiritual ruin. There are many ways we can exchange the glory of God for the meaningless pleasures of the world. This is why it is so important to take time each day to pray and meditate... to ponder our lives and where we are going, and to examine our consciences.

Are we doing God’s Will or our own? What false idols have crept into our hearts? How can we destroy them and replace them with complete trust in and love of God?

O Lord, remember us and lead us out of bondage to sin and false idols.

Amen.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Fourth Wednesday of Lent

The Lord is gracious and merciful. The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

God is faithful and holy. He will not forsake us, nor will He torment us. He is gracious and merciful. He wants to lift us up to heaven with Him. He wants to raise us from the slavery of sin. He does everything in His power to save each and every one of us. He would move mountains for us if it would help us to become good and faithful servants. But He also won’t force Himself on us. He wants us to love Him freely. And He deserves our love, too.

Do we recognize how gracious and merciful God is to us? How can we be more faithful in our words and holy in our works? Are we willing to let God lift us up from our sinful lives?

O Lord, make us more like you... gracious, merciful, faithful, and holy.

Amen.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Fourth Tuesday of Lent

The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.

With God on our side, we have no reason to fear. There is nothing in this world that can harm our souls if we trust in God and follow in His ways. Yes, our bodies might suffer, our beliefs might be attacked, and our ideas shot down, but our enemies cannot touch our inner being if we do not let them in. God stands at the core of our spirits. He made us in His Divine Image and that foundation cannot be shaken or taken away from us. Yes, we might tarnish and disfigure it with sin, but God’s Image is still there... all we have to do is confess our sins, do penance, and amend our lives. Once this is done, we will rediscover God’s Presence in our lives and live more perfectly in His Holy Name.

Do we flee to God when we are in need of refuge? Do we pray for God’s help when we are undergoing trials? How can we remind ourselves to be not afraid and instead trust in our Savior?

O Lord, you are our stronghold and always with us.

Amen.

Monday, April 1, 2019

Fourth Monday of Lent

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

God is constantly trying to rescue us. He protects and guides us in great and small ways. He is always offering us a hand when we fall or when we are lost. If we accept His aid, He will draw us clear of danger and free us from the wickedness and snares of our enemies. He does all this for us because He does not want to lose us to sin, darkness, death, and Hell. He gives us virtue, love, mercy, and grace to help us overcome our vices and imperfections. He only wants the best for us and He will do all He can, short of forcing us, to preserve us from evil and lift us up to eternal life with Him.

Do we recognize all God has done to rescue us? How can we be more accepting of His help? What can we do to help others to persevere, too?

O Lord, rescue us and preserve us from destruction.

Amen.