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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Twenty-Seventh Thursday in Ordinary Time

And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Our Heavenly Father is waiting for us. He wants us to ask for His Presence in our lives so He can give us all the graces and blessings He has prepared for us. He wants us to seek Him out along the narrow Way to salvation and to walk beside Him. He wants us to knock on the gates of Paradise and ask for entrance so He can welcome us into His Holy City. He is always within reach through our prayers and petitions and will never abandon us. And even when we abandon Him, He offers us a way back into His Good Graces through contrition, confession, and penance.

Do we ask God for what we need? Do we seek Him out in all we think, say, and do? Do we knock at the doors of Heaven and ask for them to be open to us?

O Lord, open the doors of Heaven to us, your humble servants.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Lord, you are merciful and gracious. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

When we are faced with difficulties or sadness, we should turn to God for consolation. We should set our hearts on Him and remember all the wondrous deeds He has done for us. We should recall His Goodness and think upon all He will do for us in Heaven. Doing these things, should gladden our hearts and lift up our souls because we know God will grace us with blessings beyond anything we can imagine in this life. He will come to our aid when we call to Him and grant us graces more numerous than the stars. He has the ability to turn our sorrows to joys and our worries into confident trust in Him.

Are we merciful and gracious like our God? Do we call on Him in our times of need? How can we let Him lift our souls out of darkness, doubts, and worldly cares?

O Lord, we call to upon your mercy and grace all the day.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the corpses of your servants as food to the birds of heaven, the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the earth.

We will not always be triumphant in this world. There will be times when we are defeated. We might fail in our personal lives. We might fail in our careers. We might fail in our finances. We might be besieged by worldly worries, concerns, doubts, fears, and anxieties. We might fail to be good and cave to temptations and sin. However, no matter what happens to us, if we trust in God, He will save us and raise us up again. He will give us the graces and blessings we need to rebuild ourselves and become living temples that give glory to God and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ.

How do we deal with defeat in this world? Do we turn to God and ask for His help? What do we do to help others when they are overwhelmed by sufferings?

O Lord, deliver us from evil and build us into a good and faithful people.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory. The nations shall revere your name, O LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory, When the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer.

Whenever we are damaged, knocked down, or ruined by something, God is there to help us. He offers to mend our wounds. He reaches out to lift us up. He is ready to rebuild us, better than before. He does not want to see us destitute or despised or destroyed. The world may do this to us, but He does not. He will do everything in His power to raise us out of our poverty, whether it is physical or spiritual. He will grant graces and blessings to those who are mocked and persecuted by the worldly. Even if our enemies destroy us in some way, He will resurrect us and bring us to a better life.

What areas of our lives need to be rebuilt? How can we make ourselves more open to God’s constructive work in our lives? What can we do to help others who are in need of building up their bodies, minds, and spirits?

O Lord, build us up into living churches.

Amen.

Twenty-Fifth Saturday in Ordinary Time

The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings.

God died for us through His Beloved Son to ransom us from sin and death. He sacrificed Himself for us, even though we are sinners and sometimes turn our backs on Him. He offered Himself once and for all. And the only thing we have to do is accept this truth and live our lives in accordance with God’s commandments. If we do this, then God will not only guard us from our foes, but raise us to Heaven as His beloved children and heirs to His Kingdom. He shall protect us from the wickedness and snares of the Devil and all his minions. He shall pour out His grace and blessings upon us and make us into a holy people, full of love, mercy, and joy.

Do we call upon our Shepherd to guard us from temptations and evil? Do we give thanks to God for ransoming us from sin and death? How can we make God’s Goodness known to all whom we meet?

O Lord, we thank you for ransoming us from sin and death.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer. Hear the sound of my pleading, when I cry to you, lifting up my hands toward your holy shrine.

Our prayers do not go unheard or unanswered. God is always listening to us, in our thoughts and in our words. When we petition Him, He knows the truth behind our prayers. He knows what is good for us and what would be bad. He gives us what we need to flourish as His children. He answers us in ways that will help us to become better Christians. He denies us when what we ask for isn’t what would be best for us, but He softens the rejection by giving us something better. He knows us and what we truly need just as a good father knows his children and gives them what is good even though his children might not understand and complain. God is confident that what He gives us will eventually be accepted and cherished. And for that we should all be thankful.

What petitions are we making to the Lord? Can we honestly say they are all for our good or the good of others or are some selfish? How can we make better prayers and petitions to God?

O Lord, you hear the sound of our pleading and answer us beyond anything we could hope for.

Amen.

Twenty-Second Saturday in Ordinary Time

God himself is my help. O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth.

If our cause is worthy, God will help us. Even if we are weak and have all the world stacked against us, if we trust in God, we can move mountains. Even if we are poor, if we are willing to pay the price, then we will be rich in what truly matters. Even if we are lost, if we trust in the guidance of the Lord, then we will find ourselves at the right places and the right times to do the most good. God is our help. It is by His Holy Name that we are all saved and it is by His might that we are defended against the evil and wickedness of the Devil. It is to Him that our hearts, minds, and spirits should turn to in times of need. It is Him whom we should pray to and petition. He is our Savior and our Lord and we should be wholeheartedly His.

Do we seek God’s Help in our times of need? How can we make prayer and petition a central facet of our lives? How can we be a helper and defender of others?

O Lord, by your name we are saved.

Amen.

Twentieth Friday in Ordinary Time

Praise the Lord, my soul! Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD, his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them.

Sometimes we can become so caught up in doing things that we can forget God wants to be our helper. He wants to protect us from evil. He wants to show us how to know, love, and serve Him and others. He wants to inspire us and guide us to become better people. He gives us every grace to help us to overcome the obstacles in our way and succeed at what is most important in life... being good and faithful servants to God. And this truth should give us an abundance of hope in our futures because with God on our side nothing can stand in the way of us becoming what we are called to be.

What are the things in our lives that we are struggling with? How can we make time to ask God for help when we need? Do we place our trust in God above ourselves?

O Lord, bless and help us in all we think, say, and do.

Amen.

Fifteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time

His mercy endures forever. Who smote the Egyptians in their first-born, for his mercy endures forever; And brought out Israel from their midst, for his mercy endures forever; With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, for his mercy endures forever.

God wants us to be free. He offers to break the chains of slavery to sin so we might have new lives in and with Him. He wants us to accept this gift of liberty and use it to make the right choices. He provides us everything we need for the journey through this life. He gives us grace to sustain us, hope to nourish us, and faith to guide us. He gives us His Love and Mercy so we might follow in the footsteps of His Beloved Son and be lights to the world. He wants us to choose the freedom of serving Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. It is up to each of us to accept this offering and use it to bring ourselves and others closer to the Promised Land.

What people, places, and things are enslaving us in this life? What is God offering us to help us get escape these evils? When we are freed from our sins, how can we avoid falling back into slavery and instead go forth into the Promised Land?

O Lord, bring us out of our slavery to new life in and with you.

Amen.

Fifteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live. I am sunk in the abysmal swamp where there is no foothold; I have reached the watery depths; the flood overwhelms me.

There are times in our lives when we feel helpless. We feel like we are sinking into an abyss and have no way to escape. We feel overwhelmed and lost. However, if we turn to the Lord in these times of trial, then He will help us. He will give us what we need to overcome our difficulties and triumph. He will help us to make it through the dark night to the dawn of hope. He will provide us with grace and goods that will nourish and support us. He will help us to live fruitful and meaningful lives.

Are there areas of our lives where we are sinking or in danger of sinking into darkness? What can we do to bring God into these areas to help us escape? How do we show our gratitude for all God has done to provide for our needs?

O Lord, we turn to you in our times of need.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Our help is in the name of the Lord. Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; The torrent would have swept over us; over us then would have swept the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us a prey to their teeth. 

God will never leave us to be destroyed by those who hate us. We might suffer setbacks and trials, but in the end, God will help us to overcome our enemies. He will free us from their hold and lead us to the Promised Land. He will part the turbulent waters that stand in our way and make a path for us to the other side. And if we trust Him, then we shall march through the sea confident in Him, while our foes are washed away. We might wander through the desert for a time, but in the end the Spirit of God will guide us to the land of milk and honey, the land of our salvation.

Do we call on God to help us in our times of need? Or do we forget all He has done for us and try to fix everything ourselves? How can we become more trusting of God in our daily lives?

O Lord, thank you for all your help.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot

Remember the marvels the Lord has done. They had weighed him down with fetters, and he was bound with chains, Till his prediction came to pass and the word of the LORD proved him true.

Even in our troubles, God remains faithful to us. We might suffer for a time, short or long, but always God will deliver us from our difficulties. If we are besieged by temptations, He will protect us from evil. If we are imprisoned by sin, He will offer us the freedom of forgiveness. If we are suffering in some way, He will heal us. If we are blind, He will help us to see. If we are lost, He will help us find our way. If we are falsely accused, He will be our Advocate. If we are mocked or persecuted, He will defend us. We might not always know why we have to pass through dark nights or imprisonments, but God is good and He will release us and help us to prosper in spirit and truth. We just need to remember God does marvelous things for all his good and faithful servants.

Are we weighed down by any worldly fetters or chained by imperfections and sin? Do we ask for God’s aid in freeing us? Do we remember even in our worst moments that God wants to do marvelous things for us?

O Lord, release us from our fetters and chains and help us remember your marvelous deeds.

Amen.