Sixth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?

It is hard for some of us to admit when we do not know or understand something about the faith and so we start assuming. These assumptions get us into trouble because they are based off of our own flawed interpretations of the Gospel and not on those handed down to us through the collective wisdom of the Church. When Jesus makes his comment about the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, he is pointing out how they have puffed themselves up through their interpretations of the Law. Christ does not want his disciples to do the same thing. He is not preaching a holier-than-thou lifestyle, but rather one of trust in the Lord and service to others, as evidenced by his multiplication of the loaves.

Do we not yet understand this message? Are our hearts hardened to its demands on our lives? Do our eyes not see, our ears not hear God’s warning against prideful assumptions?

O Lord, grant us an understanding of your Words in the light of your life and the collective wisdom of our Church.

Amen.

Sixth Monday of Ordinary Time

Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.

Sometimes in our lives we ask God for signs to show us what to do, to bargain with him, or worst yet to test Him. However, signs are not what God wants us to be asking for in our lives. Even if He did answer us we would still have to interpret what a particular sign meant and might misunderstand it. Instead, we should focus on doing the right thing at all times and loving others as best as we can. If we do this then it should not matter whether we receive signs or not, we will know we are doing God’s Will and that is enough.

Do we look for signs in our lives or try to bargain with God through those signs? Are we willing to make blind leaps of faith without depending upon some false sign which might point us in the wrong direction? Can we set aside our prideful desire to interpret signs and simply love and do what God wills?

O Lord, give us no sign except for the cross.

Amen.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

We are lepers in some way or another whether it be our health, minds, or spirits which are afflicted. When we face our imperfections, sins, and even those trials from God which we do not understand, we should be like the leper and kneel down and beg God to cleanse us of our afflictions. He might not heal us in the manner we expect or within the time of our choosing, but moved with compassion He will answer our prayers according to His Will, which is always for our best.

When we are in need of help do we seek to solve the problem ourselves or do we turn to God for help? How do we treat others who are ill in body, mind, or spirit? Do we avoid them or mirror the compassionate presence of Christ?

O Lord, if you wish you can make us clean.

Amen.

Fifth Friday of Ordinary Time

He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”)

Christ’s healing of this deaf man reveals an intimacy of action toward him. Jesus brings this man away from everyone else, touches his ear and tongue, and calls out to heaven on his behalf, revealing how much God loves each one of His children. He takes a personal stake in our lives and is willing to heal us of all of our imperfections and sins if only we will go with him and leave the world and its crowds behind. He will open us to his Word and if we accept it we will be able to speak plainly the Gospel through our actions. We have a wonderful savoir in Jesus and we should be ever thankful for his tenderness toward us in the midst of our afflictions.

What deafens us to the call of the Word of God? What keeps us from preaching the Good News to those who are around us? Have we ever meditated upon our personal relationship with Jesus and how it reveals His love for us each and every day?

O Lord, let us be open to your Word.

Amen.

Fifth Thursday of Ordinary Time

“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”

Jesus came into the world to save all of us, both Jew and Gentile, and this gospel helps drive home this point. God does not deny his children the food of love, mercy, and grace. He offers to feed us all no matter who we are or what our sins might be. All we need to do is be contrite and accept what he is constantly offering us: salvation! The boldness of the woman in this story reminds us that as long as we seek God out in faith He will answer our prayers.

Are we bold in our seeking of salvation? Are we willing to beg Jesus Christ to forgive us our sins so he can save us from the fires of Hell? Do we have the necessary humility to approach God not just for what we want, but more importantly for what we need to be faithful heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven?

O Lord, give us the scraps of your love, mercy, and grace and we shall be sustained through all our earthly trials.

Amen.

Fifth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.

Jesus constantly reminds his followers their actions determine what kind of person they are, not any outside influences. We might blame our parents, our background, our environment, or any other number of things, but these scapegoats do not force us to sin. They may offer us the opportunity to sin, but in the end we are the ones who take the bait or refuse it. Our wills choose between good or evil in great and small things and we should be on constant guard against those things that lead us into temptation and sin. We also must be careful about what we allow to come out of our thoughts, words, and works. What we do can be the occasion for someone else to sin and woe to us when we lead others into evil.

What are the thoughts, words, or works in our lives which defile us? When we sin do we own up to our failings or do we blame something or someone else? What can we do to clean up our acts and remain good and faithful servants of Christ?

O Lord, cleanse our bodies, minds, and souls so all we do will be cleansed from the stain of sin.

Amen.

Fifth Monday of Ordinary Time

Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

Those who came to Jesus to be healed believed in his power because they saw it or heard of it. On the other hand, we do not have firsthand knowledge of Jesus and so our belief in him is founded upon our faith in Christ and a trust in the message of the His Gospels. We seek out Jesus just like those first petitioners for not just physical healing, but also for our spiritual health. We beg him to heal us and others through our prayers and our acts of mercy and trust that his love will renew us. We reach out to him as the crowds of old did, but we understand that his touch will not just save our bodies, but also our souls. In addition, we realize Jesus’ Good News is not just a passive transmission, but an active transaction which demands that we bear the Word of God to others.

What are the sins and imperfections we need healed? Are we not only willing to reach out to God for His Mercy, but willing to do the same for those around us? Do our works speak of our belief in the Gospels or do we speak of our belief without the good works to back them up?

O Lord, we reach out to touch you. May your healing power flow into and through us to others.

Amen.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“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.”

Jesus recognizes when it is time to move on and challenges us to do the same. We have a habit of finding a comfort zone and staying there whether it is a place, a job, or a daily routine, but sometimes these comforts can keep us from doing God’s Will. Jesus could have stayed, healed more people, and lived comfortably in the town where he preformed his miracles. However, he understood through prayer and reflection that he was not called to remain in one place. He had a wider mission and trusted God would provide for him along the way he was walking. So too we must be willing to put aside our good for something better and not fall into the trap of confusing comfort with the happiness which comes from living the Christ-like life.

Are we truly happy with who we are and where we are at in life? Would we be willing to leave our comfort zone if God called us to do something greater, even if it meant risking everything we hold dear? What is the purpose of our lives?

O Lord, we do not seek to be comfortable, but rather to be purposeful as you were in your Most Holy Life.

Amen.

Fourth Saturday of Ordinary Time

Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.

It is important to know not just when to work but also when to rest. This is why Jesus tells his disciples to come with him and rest a while. Of course the people follow them and the opportunity for rest is replaced with an opportunity for preaching. However, throughout the Gospel we see Jesus seeking solitude in prayer and we need to do that as well. Sometimes our problems will follow us and we should deal with them, but we should not stop trying to find Sabbath time to converse with God and rest in His Peace.

Do we set aside time to rest and relax every day? If not, then how can we improve the balance between our work and rest? If yes, then do we spend at least part of that time alone with God and allowing him to speak to us through the silence?

O Lord, bring us to a deserted place where we can rest a while within the refreshing shade of your Love.

Amen.

Fourth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!

Familiarity with someone can sometimes blind us to the good and the bad within them and it is no different with Jesus. The people of his native place doubt him, his wisdom, and his works. We can do the same to those around us who make a change in their lives, especially one which forces us to look at them in a new light. We have a tendency to put others into boxes after a while and when they do something outside that box we wonder what is wrong with them. Some of these changes are for the better, others for the worse and it is up to us to put aside our former ways of thinking about the person in order to recognize which it is. If it is good we should encourage it, if bad we should convince them to stop it.

Who are the people we doubt? Are we being fair to them in light of the actions they have taken not just in the past, but in the present? When we see someone we know do something unexpected are we able to look at what they have done objectively and make a just judgment about it?

O Lord, help us to recognize your wisdom and works in others, especially those whom we find it most difficult to love.

Amen.

Fourth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Do not be afraid; just have faith.

When the answers to our prayers are delayed or do not come, we can sometimes turn to God and say, "Forget about it." This is what the people essentially say to Jairus after his daughter dies. No sense in bothering Jesus any more, right? Wrong. We need to continue to pray to Jesus just as much when our prayers are seemingly denied as when they are answered affirmatively. We should not be afraid to have failures come knocking at our door and instead have faith that even in the midst of our trials Jesus will be able to raise us out of the darkness of despair.

What prayers have gone seemingly unanswered by God? Are we sure there was no answer or in hindsight can we see the good which came out of the trial we faced? Are we able to say we are not afraid and have the faith to face whatever difficulties will come along the Way to the Kingdom of God?

O Lord, we do not want to be afraid. Grant us faith in you.

Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.

Jesus tosses out an evil spirit from a synagogue in today’s gospel. In doing so he reveals to his audience at the time and to us that he speaks with divine authority. The power behind his words is undeniable in the eyes of many of those who witnessed his works. His power impresses them because the Pharisees and scribes did not speak with personal authority. They represented the teachings of their masters, but Jesus is the Word of God made Flesh and when he speaks it is with an authority all of his own. This authority challenges us to follow in Jesus' footsteps and walk with him along His Way, which is not the way of the world.

What is this gospel of Jesus to us? Do we recognize His authority not only over unclean spirits, but over our sin-stained souls? What are we doing to protect ourselves from the wickedness and snares of the Devil?

O Lord, open our hearts to your teachings.

Amen.

Third Friday of Ordinary Time

This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.

God sowed the seeds of His Kingdom at the beginning of time and we grow without a need for understanding why or how we do so. Some of us will die before producing a yield, others of us will go a long time without a grain of produce and then near the end of our lives we will bear fruits, and then there are the faithful few who will yield a hundred fold. We do not know God’s plan for us, but we seeds of life have one purpose to fulfill and that is to grow in faith, hope, and love. When we do this we ripen as Disciples of Christ and God will harvest us into His Kingdom.

What have we done in our lives to grow in the gospel? Do we trust in God’s plan for us? Are we willing to do His Will without hesitation?

O Lord, help me grow and yield much fruit.

Amen.

Third Thursday of Ordinary Time

Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and it is he who lends us his flame of love. He ignites our hearts and makes us into lamps of his goodwill toward all. When we accept His Light into our lives, we are tasked with lifting it up for our family, friends, and neighbors to see. By doing so we reveal the hearts and minds of those around us and give God’s children a chance to participate in the revelation of what it means to be a servant of the Light. Of course, being a disciple of Jesus also means opening up ourselves and revealing the hidden recesses of our hearts in order to allow His Love to fill us up. Once we are full of his charity, the shadow of sin has no way to enter because all is light within us.

Do we hide the light of the gospel in our daily lives out of fear of what others might think about us? What are our secret sins, the ones which keep us from being a light for others? What can we do to lift up the Light of the Lord and make ourselves into sacramental signs of God’s love for all?

O Lord, make us lights unto your people.

Amen.

Third Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.

We are called to do God’s Will through our baptism when we are made into spiritual brothers, sisters, and mothers of Christ. Some read this gospel and think it is a rebuke of Jesus’ family, especially his mother, however, if we look closely at what Christ says we see he is using this moment to teach his disciples about their spiritual family. He makes this statement not to belittle his physical family, but to expand the concept of family to the spiritual realm. Those who see this as a rebuke of Mary forget she embodies the perfect model of doing the will of God and therefore she too is a spiritual brother and sister and mother of Christ. In light of this, we should remember to reflect on Mary’s life when considering how we should live ours in accord with what God wants us to do.

How do we fulfill the will of God in our everyday routines? In what ways do we express our baptismal calling to be a brother and sister and mother to Christ and our fellow siblings in the faith? What are the virtues in Mary’s life which we can model our lives on today?

O Lord, help us to do the will of God and become worthy of being called your brothers and sisters and mothers.

Amen.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.

God calls on us to repent and believe in His gospel message. This requires us to convert our hearts from the selfishness of worldly things to self-sacrifice of heavenly ones. We are being asked to put aside our childish things and put on Christ. When we do this we become the fulfillment of God's Will on earth. Like the disciples, we are called to set aside our worldly works and follow Christ where he needs us to go.

How do we embody and emanate the belief that the kingdom of God is at hand? What are the worldly things we need to repent of so that we can better believe and live out the gospel? Are we truly willing to sacrifice ourselves for our Heavenly Father's Will?

O Lord, we come to you with repentant hearts. Grant us the faith we need to believe in the gospel and live out its message of love.

Amen.

Second Friday of Ordinary Time

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.

Jesus summons the Twelve to join him in as co-bearers of the Gospel. He sends them forth to preach the Good News and grants them the authority to drive out demons. They are made missionaries of Christ’s message of love. He does not call perfect people to serve him, but rather sinners like Peter (who denies him) and Judas (who betrays him). We too are imperfect followers of Christ, but we must not let our sins keep us from fulfilling our mission to know, love, and serve God and his children. We should preach the Gospel through our words and works, and although we might not drive out demons we can however cast out those things which keep us from being good and faithful servants.

How do our actions proclaim the Good News? What are the sins we commit that deny or betray our mission of love? When we do fail, how can we let God pick us off the ground and get us back on track?

O Lord, we have been summoned to serve you and your children. Grant us the grace to come follow you.

Amen.

Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time

The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.

The Sabbath was made for us. It is a day we should keep holy, but it is also a day for feasting and doing good works. Just as in the Mass we celebrate and feast with God, so too should we carry the sense of thanksgiving into our daily lives. We should spend time with family and friends, help those in need, and do all we can to proclaim the Gospel through our words and works.

How do we spend our Sabbath? In what ways can we celebrate it in a meaningful and spiritually rewarding way? How do we thank God for giving us the example of a day of rest?

O Lord, grant us the wisdom to enjoy the Sabbath with you.

Amen.

Second Monday of Ordinary Time

As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

As Christians we are called to bring a balance of celebration and sacrifice into our lives. We celebrate the Mass, the Eucharist, and the other sacraments, but we also sacrifice ourselves as well. We give up our time, talents, and treasures to our faith. We sacrifice time to go to Mass. We offer up our talents on the same altar as the Eucharist. We also abstain and fast during Lent as we await the joy of Easter. We are both a celebratory and sacrificial people.

How do we celebrate our faith in a meaningful way during the week? In what ways do we sacrifice for it? Do we have a balance between the two or are we all one and none of the other?

O Lord, grant us balanced hearts full of joy and willing to sacrifice.

Amen.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

What are you looking for?

God asks this question of all of us and it is up to us to give him the answer. Some of us may be looking for forgiveness, others for help with our troubles, but deep down all of us are looking for true love. This is what Jesus offers His disciples and us. This is why he gave himself over to death, death on a cross, because He loved us enough to sacrifice himself for us even though we are sinners.

So what are we looking for? How can we express our gratitude to God for what He has done, is doing, and will do for us? How do we live our lives as an expression of God's love?

O Lord, we are looking for your Love in our lives, open our eyes so we can see it.

Amen.