Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

We can learn a lot about how to live our lives from Scripture. We are shown time and again what it means to be a God-bearing person. We are given commandments to follow, teachings to live by, and guidance in leading holy lives. We are given corrections for our failures and trained in righteousness. If we live according to the Good News, we will be equipped for every good work. This is why it is so important to proclaim the Word of God through our every thought, word, and work. It not only builds up and reinforces our own holiness, but helps others to increase in faith, hope, and love. The life of Christian virtue is one we must live whether it is convenient or inconvenient so we can convince, reprimand, and encourage others in their own journeys toward God.

Do we take time each day to meditate on Scripture? How can we take what we learn from the Good News and put it into practice? What can we do to support others in their own faith journeys?

O Lord, help us to be persistent in living out the teachings of the Holy Scriptures you’ve provided us.

Amen.

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord. Out of my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me; From the midst of the nether world I cried for help, and you heard my voice.

The rosary is a lifeline for us all. It is a prayer we can all benefit from. It is a prayer we should take our time with whenever we are inclined to say it. It is a pray that speaks to the mysteries of our faith and helps us to meditate upon and contemplate the life of Christ and the Beginnings of the Church. It is a powerful tool for good in the world, freeing people from sin and death, filling them with graces and blessings and guiding them to better lives founded on the Holy Spirit. We should all be thankful for such a fulfilling prayer, given to us by our Heavenly Father to celebrate His Beloved Son and Dearest Daughter.

Do we pray the rosary on a regular basis? Do we pray it purposefully and meaningfully? What can we do to live out the mysteries of the rosary?

O Lord, out of the darkness we call to you.

Amen.

Twenty-Fifth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.

We should all go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. We should seek out our parishes and spend time in our churches not merely out of obligation, but because we want to be there. Although we might commune with God in many ways, such as prayer, meditation, and spiritual readings, we can only experience the true and full presence of God in the Eucharistic feast and in Adoration. When we partake in the Body and Blood of Jesus, we unite ourselves body and soul to God in a way we cannot achieve on our own. When we dwell in the presence of the monstrance that holds the Body of Christ, we make ourselves present to God in a way we cannot do anywhere else in this world. So, let us go to Mass and to our parishes and take advantage of the presence of God who waits for us there in a special and sanctifying way.

Do we go to church on Sundays? Do we go joyfully? Can we make time to go to church during the week for daily mass and times of Adoration?

O Lord, we give you thanks for your presence in our lives.

Amen.

Twenty-Second Friday in Ordinary Time

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; Give thanks to him; bless his name.

We should all seek to be in the presence of the Lord. We should strive to find ways to make Him present in our daily lives. We can do this in many ways. We can see God in the world around us and appreciate everything He has created. We can pray to Him in thanksgiving for all the graces and blessings He has given us. We can meditate upon His Divine Mysteries and contemplate Him in all His glory. We can read the Scriptures as a living book and imagine ourselves in the time of Jesus. We can be holy people, good as our Heavenly Father is good. We can imitate Christ and follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We can go to Church for adoration and mass. We can participate in the sacraments and grow in faith, hope, and charity. The important thing is to seek God out in whatever we are doing, great and small, in chores and leisure and everything in between.

What are we willing to offer in thanksgiving to God? How can we show our thanks to God? How can we make God present in our daily living?

O Lord, we thank you for being with us and bless your holy name.

Amen.

Eighteenth Friday in Ordinary Time

I remember the deeds of the Lord. I remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I remember your wonders of old. And I meditate on your works; your exploits I ponder.

Every day we should take time to ponder the words and works of the Lord. We can do this through reading the Scriptures and going to Church and receiving the sacraments. We can also do it through quiet times of spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, and even contemplation of the mysteries of Christ. We can also remember God’s deeds when we act charitably and mercifully and treat others with dignity. It is a remarkable blessing to make Him present in our lives through imitation of Jesus, which is the best way to know, love, and serve God.

Do we take time to meditate on God’s works, not only in Scripture, but also in our lives? Do we remember everything He has done for us and try to imitate Him in the way we treat others? How can we put into action the commandments of our Holy Father, the teachings of His Beloved Son, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, we shall always remember your deeds.

Amen.

Third Monday of Easter

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! Though princes meet and talk against me, your servant meditates on your statutes. Yes, your decrees are my delight; they are my counselors.

We should delight in the laws of the Lord. We should rejoice in fulfilling God’s commandments. We should be happy to walk in the way of our Redeemer and proclaim His Good News. Our faith should be founded on joy. Our hope secured by gladness. Our love should flow from cheerful spirits. We should be at peace in any storm. The world may try to shake our confidence in God, but if we remain true to Him, then nothing will harm what matters most: the inner image of God that dwells within each of our souls.

Do we strive to follow the laws of the Lord? Do we meditate on God’s statutes? How can we be more joyful in our way of living the Christ-like life?

O Lord, your decrees are our delight.

Amen.

Third Sunday of Easter

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.”

Jesus was sacrificed for us. This is something we should ponder and take to heart. Imagine for a moment what Jesus gave up for us. How he who was without sin died for us who are sinners. He died to give us the power of the Holy Spirit and the riches of grace. He died to grant us wisdom and strength. He died to bless us who are in need of blessing. We should marvel at what Jesus did for us through his passion and death all so we might share in his resurrection and join the choir of angels in singing, “Worthy is the Lamb.”

Do we meditate and ponder the sacrifice God made for us? Are we as forgiving as Jesus was for us? How can we give God the glory, honor, and praise He deserves?

O Lord, you are the worthy lamb who died for us.

Amen.

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.

First Sunday of Lent

For, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame.

There are many ways to confess Jesus is Lord. We can choose to use our free time to meditate upon the Scriptures and contemplate the life of Christ. We can proclaim the Good News through words and works. We can be charitable toward those who need charity and merciful toward those who need mercy. We can manifest God’s Love through loving our neighbors as God loves them. If we do all these things, then we will be justified and saved. If we do all these things, we will not be put to shame.

In what ways are we confessing Jesus Christ is Lord? Do we truly believe God will not allow us to be put to shame? How do we show this faith in our lives?

O Lord, we believe with our hearts and confess with our mouths that you are our Lord and Savior.

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.

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

There are many ways we can sing God's praises. We can do so through prayerful thoughts and calm meditation. We can do so through contemplation of the Life of Christ and the Mysteries of our faith. We can do so through proclaiming the Good News. We can do so by speaking kindly to others or offering them words of encouragement in difficult times. We can do so through acts of charity poured out for God's children. We can do so through acts of forgiveness and mercy. Every good fruit we bear in this world is a song sung in praise of God and all He has done for us.

How can we sing God's praises through our thoughts? What about our words? What good works can we do to express our joy in being the children of God?

O Lord, we desire to sing your praises in everything we think, say, and do.

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.

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD." And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.

When we go to mass or to any gathering of the faithful, we should go rejoicing. We should put aside all our worldly doubts, fears, and anxieties and focus on being with God. Often, we are beset by distractions in our lives and may be tempted to give them our attention, but we should offer all these up to God and use them as stepping stones to mediation and contemplation of God. This transforms what could lead us astray into something that leads us closer to God. So, when we step through the doors of our church, let us leave behind the world and all its empty worries and instead dedicate ourselves to a deeper participation in the mass and all our church's gatherings.

How can we prepare ourselves to go to church? What can we do to transform our worldly worries into spiritual opportunities for deepening our faith? How can we participate more fully in the mass and in the various spiritual gatherings at our church?

O Lord, let us go rejoicing to your house.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Saturday in Ordinary Time

They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.

If we are true to our faith, the name of God will be written on our foreheads. Our lips will proclaim the Word of God. Our hands will do the work of God. Our feet will follow the path God has set before us. Our minds will meditate on and contemplate God. Our hearts will be at one with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our lives will be fruitful and abundant with good works. God's Light will dwell within us and make us into shining beacons of faith and hope and love. And the Lord will reign within us and through us to the rest of the world.

Are we living fruitful lives? How can we grow in faith and become more Christ-like in all things? What can we do to bring the God's Light into the world around us?

O Lord, write your name upon our foreheads and our hearts.

Amen.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

If you hold back your foot on the sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; If you call the sabbath a delight, and the LORD's holy day honorable; If you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice. Then you shall delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Making holy the sabbath day can be difficult for us, especially in a world that tries to demand our attention every moment of our waking lives. We are constantly tempted to watch TV, play games, and do everything but make time for God. And yet, the sabbath day is meant to be a day of rest, a day to spend with God in prayer, reflection, and meditation. We cannot do any of those if we are constantly distracted by other things. We need to show God He comes first every week and the only way to do that is to hold back from our own pursuits on Sundays and to delight in the time we spend with God not only at Mass but in prayer as well. If we honor God by keeping holy His day, then He shall give us every opportunity to flourish during the rest of the week in what is best for us. He will nourish us with grace and consolations and lead us to peaceful and fruitful lives.

Are we keeping holy the sabbath? How can we make more time for prayer to, meditation on, and contemplation of God? What are worldly things we can cut out of our Sunday routines?

O Lord, help us to pursue you always and especially on the sabbath.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Monday of Ordinary Time

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.

Jesus is Wisdom Incarnate. We can learn a lot from what he said and did in his life. He has given us a narrow path to follow and we would do well to recognize it and follow in his footsteps. There is something greater than us that can only be found in Jesus. He fulfills us if we let him. He saves us if we seek him in faith. His wisdom is greater than all the philosophers ever to speak and his preaching is more potent than all the prophets. This is why we should listen to him and allow him to lead us wherever we need to be. He'll never lead us astray. We have only to trust in him and he will show us our calling and how best to live our lives so that when the judgment comes, we shall be found to be good and faithful servants.

How are we preparing for the Final Judgment? Do we meditate upon the Wisdom of Christ and try to understand how to become holier people? Do we repent of our sins?

O Lord, you are greater than all things. Help us to focus our lives on fulfilling your Will.

Amen.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Once again Jesus gives us an example of how to pray. He goes to a deserted place on a mountain and there he communes with his Heavenly Father. While doing so, his appearance is transformed and he converses with Moses and Elijah, witnesses to the Law and the prophets. This reminds us that our prayer lives should also transform us and lead us to live in accordance with the Scriptures and Traditions of the Church and to proclaim the Good News in all that we do. Lastly, Jesus, Moses, and Elijah speak of Jesus’ exodus, namely his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension. In the same way, our own prayers should lead us to meditate on the life of Jesus as well as to contemplate the mysteries of God. If we do these things, then the roots of our faith will deepen, the branches of our hope will provide us with refuge, and the fruits of our love will nourish and sustain our family, friends, and neighbors.

How do we pray? What can we do to pray more like Christ? In what ways do our lives show others how to live in accord with God’s Will, the Church’s teachings, and our calling to spread the Good News to all the nations?

O Lord, transform us more and more into you in our prayers, words, and works.

Amen.

The First Tuesday of Lent

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Our Father was handed down to us by Jesus and it is one of the central prayers of our faith. However, it also gives us a blueprint of how to live our lives. We should give reverence to God by recognizing Him as our Heavenly Father. We also should ask Him to bring about His Kingdom and to do His Will in our lives. So too, we ought to live in such a way as to bring about His Will on earth. Besides these things, we must hunger for the daily bread of life that God offers us through prayer and especially the sacrament of the Eucharist. We also need to ask for forgiveness for our failings while forgiving the failings of others. Last but not least, we should pray to be protected from the temptations of the world and evils that seek to lure us away from God. If we do these things, we will be able to lead Christ-like lives filled with faith in the Father, hope in His Providence, and love for God and His children.

Do we pray the Our Father every day? Do we take each line and meditate upon its deeper meaning? How can we put its precepts into practice?

O Lord, you are our Father, our Bread, and our Deliverer.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

We all need rest. We cannot work all the time. This is why God gave us the Sabbath as a feast day. We need it in order to reflect on our thoughts, words, and works each week. We also need time each day to do the same. Without rest and reflection, we can become overworked and lose sight of why we are here on earth. We forget that everything we think, say, and do should have its source, center, and summit in God. We cannot reflect on these things if we don’t set aside time to pray to God for guidance, meditate upon our actions, and evaluate the direction of our lives. We can become lost in our work, even good works, and become burned out if we do not take a break from time to time to recharge our spiritual batteries so that we can go back into the world as lights for all God’s children.

Do we rest and relax in the Lord when we are wary? Does our leisure time bring us closer to God or further away from Him? What can we do to keep holy the Sabbath day?

O Lord, let us rest in you.

Amen.

First Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

After healing Simon’s mother and curing many others in her house, Jesus rises early and goes off to a deserted place. Jesus seeks out a place of solitude so that he can pray to his Heavenly Father and reflect on everything he has done, is doing, and will do. We can learn a lot about how to meditate on the message of the gospels, contemplate God’s presence in our lives, and pray better by following Jesus’ example. We need to get away from our worldly distractions if we are truly to focus on our spiritual needs. However, once we are done praying, we also need to be ready to move on and go wherever God is leading us. We cannot become so comfortable in one place that we never leave. There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to go forth. Sometimes this means leaving behind our families or friends, other times it means making sacrifices of time, talents, and treasures. But no matter what God asks of us, we should remember that He never asks more of us than we can give and He always gives us the graces we need to endure.

Do we seek to be alone with God and enjoy His Presence? How can we better meditate on the gospels and contemplate God’s presence in our lives? Are we willing to go where God is leading us and preach the truth through our thoughts, words, and works?

O Lord, help us to find our deserted place, where we can pray to you with all our hearts and listen to you with all our souls.

Amen.