Fourth Tuesday of Advent

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

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

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

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

Amen.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

As Christians, we shouldn’t be afraid to sacrifice and suffer. Jesus showed us that being willing to suffer for the good of others is not only good, but necessary to salvation. Yes, we can be good and do good without too much difficulty when it requires little or no sacrifice, but what happens when doing the right thing will cost us greatly? Will we have the same courage and fortitude to do good in the face of great sacrifice? Hopefully, we will be able to let go and give everything we have to God for His Glory and His children’s good. As today’s scripture says, affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, proven character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint. So, let us pour ourselves out in selfless sacrifices so we might be a sign to the world that proclaims... sacrifice is good and should not be run away from.

Are we providing a good and faithful example of what it means to sacrifice and suffer for God? How can we become more enduring, hopeful, and loving in all our endeavors? In what ways can we allow God to pour Himself out into the world through us?

O Lord, hope in you never disappoints.

Amen.

Fourth Saturday of Easter

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

God’s saving power is on constant display in the Scriptures and in the everyday life of His Church. He reveals his justice and compassion time and time again. From Adam and Eve to Jesus and Mary, God shows mankind an immeasurable amount of mercy. He mends our brokenness by allowing His Beloved Son’s Body to be broken for us. He washes away our sins by spilling His Most Precious Blood. His kindness towards us is infinite and inspiring. His faithfulness to us even in our moments of weakness and failure reveal the depth of His love for us and His willingness to suffer and die for us in order to give us a new, joyful life with Him. When we ponder all our failings, it is truly amazing to consider that God decided to give Himself as a sacrifice to heal us. Hopefully, we can follow His example and be as compassionate to others as He has been to us.

Do we believe in the saving power of God? In what ways do we make his power known to others? How can we keep in mind the kindness and faithfulness God has shown us?

O Lord, your saving power fills us with faith, hope, and love.

Amen.

Third Friday of Easter

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

God is faithful and kind to us. In good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in sin and holiness, He will always love us. His love is unconditional. It does not weaken with time or out of anger. It endures all out of a deep love for His every child. He is our Heavenly Father and in Him we have the Promise of eternal life.

How can we become as faithful and kind as our Heavenly Father? In what ways can we go out into the world and tell the Good News? How can we strengthen our faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, help us to be kind as you are kind.

Amen.

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The son of David will live forever. The promises of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness, For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

God’s kindness has been established forever. He expressed it through the creation of the heavens and the earth and all living things, especially man and woman. He showed it through His Mercy on the people of the Old Testament. He revealed it through His Beloved Son’s life, passion, death, and resurrection. He continues to prove it through the Holy Spirit, who guides His Church. O, how faithful God has been to us! We can only hope we can return a fraction of His faithfulness and sing His praises forever.

Have we been faithful to God? How can we become more faithful? In what ways can we reflect God’s kindness to the rest of the world?

O Lord, may your kindness be established in us.

Amen.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.

Our hope should rest in the Lord.  The world can’t promise us anything will last forever. Only God can give us eternal happiness. The wicked will promise us much, but all they can deliver is empty. The way of sinners may be easier to walk on earth, but after death it becomes a way of ruin and suffering. However, if we delight in the laws of the Lord and meditate on them, then we shall live good and faithful lives worthy of salvation.

Do we meditate on the commandments of the Lord? How can we be more faithful to them? What can we do to resist the temptations of the world and live holy lives?

O Lord, we hope in you.

Amen.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored.

Fear of the Lord is something many misunderstand. There are many types of fear. Fear for our lives, our health, our finances. Fear for ourselves, for others, for loved ones. Fear of the Lord is a fear of disappointing Him. It is a fear of not living up to the standards Jesus has set for us through his life and works. It is a fear of losing our way and falling into temptation and sin. Thankfully, God has given us everything we need to be successful as Christians and walk in His ways. He blesses and favors us in our thoughts, words, and works so we can be fruitful in our services to Him and His children.

Do we have a healthy fear of the Lord? How can we be more faithful to Him and walk in His ways? What can we do with all the graces, blessings, and favors God has given us?

O Lord, we fear disappointing you and ask for your help so we might walk in your ways always and forevermore.

Amen.

Twenty-Ninth Thursday in Ordinary Time

I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

If we pray to God, He will save us through His Beloved Son and strengthen us with His Holy Spirit. He will give us every blessing so we might grow in faith, hope, and love. He will help to build up and support our inner selves and give us the confidence we need to believe He is always by our side. His Love will pour out upon us so our souls might grow in fertile soil, rooted in His commandments, teachings, and inspirations. He will nourish our faith, hope, and charity, giving us every grace to bear good fruits for Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. He will fill us with Himself so we might reflect Him more perfectly and magnify Him in all we think, say, and do. So, let us prepare ourselves for Him and welcome Him as our Heavenly Father, our Beloved Brother, and our Holy Spouse.

Do we act as if we are members of God’s Holy Family? How can we become more faithful children to our Heavenly Father? Are we willing to let God into our lives so He might dwell within us, strengthen us, and fill us with His Love?

O Lord, we kneel before you and ask that you might grant us your strength and comprehension.

Amen

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Our lives are either guided by the flesh or by the spirit. If we are guided by the flesh, then we will fall into every kind of wickedness. We will become prideful, envious, wrathful, lustful, gluttonous, greedy, and slothful. We will live worldly lives constantly chasing our evil passions and empty pleasures. In contrast, if we live according to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, then we shall have fruitful lives. We shall have love, joy, and peace no matter what might be going on in our lives. We will grow in patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, and gentleness. We will learn to tame our passions and gain the self-control we need to become holy people. Last but not least, our flesh will be crucified by our sacrifices and we will be freed from the chains of our sins and able to live as good and faithful servants to God and all His children.

Are we living according to the flesh or according to the Holy Spirit? How can we rid ourselves of those evil inclinations that lead us into temptation and sin? How can we grow in the virtues that will lead us to life everlasting?

O Lord, crucify our flesh with its passions and desires so that we might be made holy.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them 'brothers.'

God sent us His Beloved Son so we might become brothers and sisters in Christ. God did not have to lower Himself and become flesh and blood. He did not need to be born of the Virgin Mary. He could have come to earth in any form and yet he choose to come as one of us. He choose to lower himself for a little while and become a helpless baby born of a young mother. He choose to grow up under obedience to his earthly parents. He remained hidden for thirty years of his life. As one of us, he must have suffered in a thousand little ways before He took up the mantle of Messiah. Bumps and bruises, lost loved ones, and other unrecorded troubles. And after he began proclaiming the Good News, he suffered even more... disappointments, rejections, mockery, and persecution. All culminating in his Passion and Death so he might rise again and bring with him the promise of the Resurrection. We would do well to remember this as we go through our lives. When we feel that God has abandoned us, we should look to the cross and remember Jesus bore great burdens for us and will never ask of us to carry more than we can bear.

Do we act like brothers and sisters in Christ? Have we mediated on what it means that God sent His Beloved Son into the world to live and die as one of us? How can we live more faithfully as the adopted children of God?

O Lord, we are not ashamed to call you our brother and our Savior.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him, And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.

If we are faithful to God, even in times of trouble and suffering, then He will be our Vindicator. He will give us every grace we need to overcome our trials and be victorious in our spiritual lives. Even though we might lose all our worldly goods and companions, if we remain true to Him, then we shall see Him in Heaven for the rest of eternity. Our very being should be consumed with longing for this union with Him. Our every thought, word, and work should have God as their source, center, and summit in God. They should all be leading us closer and closer to eternal life with Him.

Are our lives consumed with longing to be with God forever and ever? How can we be more faithful to God in times of trial as well as times of plenty? In what ways can we live our lives so our every thought, word, and work will lead us closer to eternal life?

O Lord, make our hearts into tablets inscribed with your Living Word.

Amen.

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

There is a vast difference between being hearers of the Word of God and being doers of it. If we want to grow in faith, hope, and love, then we cannot stand idly by and do nothing. Our faith is an active one that requires constant and complete investment from the beginning of our lives to the very end. Our calling as Christians is to keep ourselves pure and undefiled, to do good and avoid evil, and to imitate Jesus in every way. We are asked by God to know, love, and serve Him and all His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. To do so means caring for others in their affliction, helping them in their times of need, and giving glory to God for everything He has given us.

Are we hearers or doers of the Word of God? How can we become more faithful to our Heavenly Father and our brothers and sisters in Christ? In what ways are we caring for those who are suffering or in need?

O Lord, makes us doers of your Word.

Amen.

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

As Christians, we should all aspire to be courageous, faithful, and good. We cannot let our fears overrule our better judgment and our responsibilities to God and His children. We cannot allow our doubts to paralyze us and ruin our faith. We cannot let our selfishness lead us away from good and toward evil. Thankfully, God has given us all the graces we need to resist these temptations so when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ, we shall be found worthy of God's Mercy.

What do we aspire to do in this life? Is it what God wants us to do? How can we be more courageous in our faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, grant us your courage.

Amen.

Fourth Saturday of Easter

It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.

God gives us many chances to follow His Divine Will, but if we reject it, then He will find another way. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses and plans accordingly. He won’t force us to do what is right, but He wants us to be good and faithful servants. Sometimes we fail in this regard, but it isn’t the end. God finds a way to spread the Good News and continues to offer us new opportunities to show Him we are truly His children. He gives us every chance to be a light of holiness in the world, leading people to Him. Hopefully, we, like the Gentiles, will accept that calling and become instruments of salvation to the ends of the world.

In what ways have we failed to do God’s Will? How can we become more faithful to the proclamation of the Gospels? What can we do to prepare ourselves to be lights to the world and instruments of salvation?

O Lord, command us.

Amen.

The Baptism of the Lord

For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

If we love God, then we will do everything within our power to keep His commandments. We will mortify our bodies, discipline our minds, and align our wills with His Will. We will do good and avoid evil, practice virtue and rid ourselves of vice. We will take up our crosses and bear them without complaint. We shall walk in the footsteps of Christ and show compassion even in the midst of our sufferings. We shall make ourselves into living sacrifices to the Lord without feeling burdened. We shall stand firm in our faith and be confident in our God. We shall trust that God will lead us to victory over death and sin and lead us triumphantly and joyfully into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Are we doing everything we can to keep God’s commandments? Are we willing to mortify ourselves in order to be more faithful to God’ Will? How can we let go and let God conquer our hearts?

O Lord, we surrender our hearts to you so that you might rule over us in all things.

Amen.

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

As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

Through Baptism and Confirmation, we have been anointed as followers of the Holy Trinity... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because of these sacraments, we have been given the graces we need to do good and avoid evil. Our consciences have been formed by the teachings of the Gospel and the Church and trained by our good works and prudent choices. God has given us the tools we need to remain with Him by choosing right over wrong and growing in faith, hope, and love. And so, we should have confidence in God, knowing that He will remain with us if we let Him and that if we are faithful to Him we will not be put to shame.

Are we living out our baptismal and confirmation promises? What can we do to remain in God at all times? How can we more perfectly place our confidence in God?

O Lord, help us to remain with you forever.

Amen.

Third Friday of Advent

After the boy's father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: "Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.  I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD."

When God gives us something, be it a talent, a grace, or any other gift, our first reaction should be to give something to God in return. We can offer up the talents He has given us as a living prayer to Him. We can thank Him for all the graces He has given us from the first moment of our conception to our last breath on earth and the promise of eternal life afterwards. We can make our lives into living sacrifices to the Lord, transforming ourselves into faithful offerings to our God, Most High. We can dedicate ourselves to the Lord and allow Him to do with us what he needs to have done.

What are we giving to God in recognition for all He has done for us? How can we be more faithful in presenting ourselves, our thoughts, words, and works to God? How can we become more dedicated to our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, we turn our lives over to you as dedicated sacrifices.

Amen.

First Tuesday of Advent

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

Great faith is founded upon humility and the recognition we are not worthy to sit at the table with God. We are sinners. However, just because we are undeserving of God’s gifts and graces, we still beg for them anyway. We rely completely upon God’s Mercy. Just as the woman pled for the scraps, so too, we plead for our salvation in hope that God will be compassionate toward us and grant our request. Thankfully, God is full of love and wherever he finds humility and faith, He also gives the petitioner all they need to be healed and thrive in spirit and truth.

Are we humble in our petitions and prayers? Do we realize we are not worthy and should have no delusions that God owes us anything? In what ways do we recognize our complete dependence upon our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, give us humble and faithful spirits.

Amen.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Sometimes we might wonder why there is evil in this world. However, it wasn’t God who brought sin and wickedness into His creation, but the Devil and our own pride. The temptation to believe we know better than God is one we constantly are faced with in great and small ways. Evil exists because God gave us the freedom to choose between right and wrong, but this free will is also a blessing because it also allows us to love and do good. God could have chosen to uproot evil in the human race, but that would have robbed us of our Divine Image and made us into something less than human. Without choice, we cannot love God or His children or do good works because there is no other option and love and goodness cannot be forced upon us. And so God lets evil exist, not because He wants it to, but because He doesn’t want to violate our humanity or rob us of His Divine Image.

What are the weeds in our lives? How can we uproot them and become more faithful servants? What can we do to use our free will for good?

O Lord, burn away our imperfections and sins, leaving us only with the fruits of your divine image within us.

Amen.