Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire! Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God: "How tremendous are your deeds!"

God is constantly trying to fill us with the fires of his faith, hope, love, goodness, truth, mercy, and grace. He wants us to be ablaze with Him from the moment we wake in the morning to the moment we close our eyes at night. When people see us, they should know we are Christians by the light of our lives shining in the darkness of the world. We should be beacons of faith, hope, and love. We are meant to be lights for all the world to see and constantly lead others to Him. So, let our lives burn bright in the night, praising, glorifying, and magnifying God in all we think, say, and do.

Are we keeping the fires of our faith alive even in the midst of the darkness of the world? How can we make ourselves into beacons of grace for all who see us? What can we do to enkindle the light of Christ in ourselves and others?

O Lord, fill our souls with your fire.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life. 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.

If we follow the Lord, the light of life will be in us and guide us along the narrow path to Heaven. Of course, following God isn’t always easy. We are constantly counseled by the wicked to give into our temptations and walk the way of sinners. We are told by the world we should turn our backs on God and make our own way. However, we must resist these evil inclinations and instead focus on living upright lives, delighting in the laws of the Lord, and mediating upon them with humble hearts.

What can we do to open our eyes to the light of life? How can we resist the counsel of the wicked? Do we set aside time each day to meditate on God’s Divine Law?

O Lord, grant us the light of life.

Amen.