Third Wednesday of Advent

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Second Tuesday of Advent

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 

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

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

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

Amen.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.

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

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

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

Amen.

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 Tuesday in Ordinary Time

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

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

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

O Lord, to do your will is our delight.

Amen.

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 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.

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.

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope

Lord, in your strength the king is glad. O LORD, in your strength the king is glad; in your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire; you refused not the wish of his lips.

We are reminded in today’s psalm that we should rejoice in God’s victories on this earth. Sure, we are more likely to recognize and celebrate our own triumphs, but it is even more important to rejoice in those victories that God wins in the world. These successes can be great or small. They can be simple or complex. They can be a single kind word or an elaborate act of charity. We can see these victories of faith, hope, and love all around us in our families, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. We can also participate in the triumph of good over evil by choosing to live holy and loving lives and fulfilling God’s Will.

Do we keep our eyes and ears open to God’s victories in this world? In what ways can we help God triumph? How can we help others to succeed in their good deeds?

O Lord, we rejoice in every victory that is won for and by you.

Amen.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.  And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.

It is through our baptism that we share in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We share in his death through our own weaknesses and sins, which he took upon himself and cleanses from us through the cross. We also share in his new life through our faith in him, the sacraments of His Holy Church, and through our choices to live in imitation of him. His love and forgiveness offer us a model to follow and a yoke to embrace. So, let us carry our crosses without complaint or hesitation and seek to know, love, and serve God and His children in all things.

How often do we renew our baptismal promises? What can we do to keep our calling to be Christ-like at the forefront of our minds? How can we help others to rise from the death of sin and be resurrected into a new life?

O Lord, destroy the chains of sin and raise us to new lives in you.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Jesus Christ holds us together as Christians and human beings. He is what binds us to be loving and respectful to one another no matter the differences between us. He showed us time after time how he has called all men and women to become his disciples. He reminds us again and again that each of us has a role to play in God’s Divine Plan. We are not all the same, but we do fit together when we choose to be a part of His Spiritual Body, the Church. It is through the teachings and traditions of the Church that we are bound together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit, each in his or her own unique way. So, let us each allow ourselves to be placed where we are needed in the Church so it might be a strong, holy, and united family.

What role is God calling me to take up in His Holy Church? How can we fulfill this vocation with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? How can we help others to fit into the Body of Christ, too?

O Lord, build us into a living and united temple sacred to you.

Amen.

Tenth Friday of Ordinary Time

To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise. I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; I said in my alarm, “No man is dependable.” 

When we are going through tough times, we can be tempted to lose hope and despair. However, as long as we remember God is with us in all things, we will be able to fight off this temptation to doubt and worry and instead choose to trust in God no matter what is happening to us. Yes, even when we are greatly afflicted, we can be calm and at peace with the knowledge that God is always by our side. He is there as a comforter, guide, and protector and as long as we let go and let Him work within our lives we will be rewarded, if not in this life, then in the next.

Do we offer up all our trials and tribulations as sacrifices of praise to God? How can we keep hope even in our darkest hours? What can we do to help others through their difficulties?

O Lord, we will always hope in you no matter what afflicts us.

Amen.

Seventh Friday of Easter

The Lord has established his throne in heaven. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.

God’s kindness toward us is beyond anything we can imagine. He is loving and merciful toward us in spite of our sinfulness, our indifference, and our failings. He is good to us even though we take Him for granted, abuse His trust, and desert Him. He is willing to forgive us no matter what we have done. Can we say the same in our dealings with others? Are we as kind? As loving? As merciful? Not even close, and yet, God doesn’t abandon us. He remains with us and does everything in His Divine Power to protect us from evil, guide us to better lives, and help us to be holy.

How can we be as kind and merciful as God is toward us? What can we do to make the world a more loving place? How can we help others to grow in goodness?

O Lord, help us to imitate your kindness, love, and mercy.

Amen.

Fourth Friday of Easter

You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. “I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”

We are the children of God. This means we are unconditionally loved by our Heavenly Father. He cares for us better than any earthly parent ever could and will do everything in His power to help us to grow in faith, hope, and love. He wants us to succeed in life, but like a good father, He will not force us to become what He wants us to be. He wants us to choose to know, love, and serve Him on our own because He knows He can’t force us to be good and faithful. We must want to follow in His footsteps before we can walk with Him into Paradise.

Are we living up to the responsibilities of being a child of God? How can we become better sons and daughters of our Good Father? What can we do to help others to be better children, too?

O Lord, you begot us and love us, help us to be holy children.

Amen.

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.

Fifth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night.

God constantly pours His love upon us because He wants us to be filled with love. He wants us to be overflowing with holiness, goodness, truth, mercy, and all that He is. He wants us to magnify Him in and through our every thought, word, and work. He only wants what is best for us and does everything in His power to provide us with the graces and blessings we need to become good and faithful servants to Him and His children.  He wants to make us heirs to His Heavenly Kingdom because He wants to spend the rest of eternity with us. Our Father wants us to be his sons and daughters forever and ever, for a thousand years and beyond... till time ends and beyond. It should humble us to imagine that God loves us so much although we are less than dust compared to Him. What a marvelous thing it is to be loved by an infinite God.

Are we allowing ourselves to be filled to the brim with God’s Love? Do we sing for joy at the thought of how much we are loved by our Heavenly Father? How can we help others feel loved, too?

O Lord, fill us with your love.

Amen.

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.

Third Tuesday of Advent

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. 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 does everything that He can to help the poor and afflicted, so to, we must do the same. When we see someone in need, even someone who might be repulsed by, we must do everything we can to help them within reason. We should strive to rescue those who call out to us, to help those in need, to have pity on the lowly and the poor. This is the type of justice God is calling all of us to make a reality in our own lives and in the lives of others. We might not be able to save everyone, Jesus couldn't do that, but we can do our best to be good and faithful servants.

Are we open to helping the poor and afflicted? What gifts and talents do we have that we can share with those in need? How can we be more just in our dealings with others?

O Lord, let your justice flourish through us, especially in our dealings with the poor and the afflicted.

Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Saturday in Ordinary Time

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise.

As Paul said, through our baptism we were clothed with Christ. We are meant to make his virtues our virtues. His goodness, our goodness. His mercy, our mercy. His compassion, our compassion. We are to see with his eyes, hear with his ears, love with his heart, work with his hands, and walk wherever his feet will take us. We are to treat others as he treated them. Not according to their outward appearances, their social status, or their gender, but according to their human dignity. We are to know, love, and serve everyone as he knows, loves, and serves us.

How can we better cloth ourselves in Christ? What can we do to help others feel as if they belong to Christ, too? How can we make ourselves more Christ-like in the way we treat others?

O Lord, clothe us in your love, mercy, and virtues.

Amen.