Thirty-Third Tuesday in Ordinary Time

The Lord upholds me. O LORD, how many are my adversaries! Many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “There is no salvation for him in God.”

The Lord upholds us against our adversaries, no matter how many there might be. He is our fortress, our protector, our rock. There is nothing in this world that can overthrow Him and the strength He lends us in our times of need. If we will but trust in Him and accept His blessings, gifts, and graces, then we shall not be put to shame. No matter how many rise against us we will triumph. No matter how much our foes claim we are fools, we will be proven to be wise at the Last Judgment when we gain salvation from Him.

Do we allow God to uphold us in our times of trial and weakness? Do we seek His help against our adversaries? Do we trust that with His aid, we will overcome all obstacles?

O Lord, uphold us.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Saturday in Ordinary Time

Remember the marvels the Lord has done! Then he struck every first born throughout their land, the first fruits of all their manhood. And he led them forth laden with silver and gold, with not a weakling among their tribes.

The world around us is full of marvels and miracles. If we do not see them, it is not God’s fault, but our own blindness. He constantly works within our lives in great and small ways. We might not connect the dots or see the whole picture in our lives, but He is there with us always. He has struck down our enemies and raised us up. He has given us graces and gifts beyond counting. He has led us forth laden with good things and built up our faith so we are not weaklings. The trials we undergo are not for our punishment, but for our betterment. He wants us to prove our metal in this life and the only way to do that is to cleanse us in purifying fires, forge us through our choices, and temper us with His Holy Spirit.

Do we remember the marvels God has done for us? Do we let God lead us where He wants us? What can we do to prove our metal to Him?

O Lord, lead us forth and strengthen us.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it. Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees our deepest secrets. He knows our greatest potential. He believes we can all become saints and gives us everything we need to become holy. He guides us in great and small ways towards eternal life, but He will not force His Way, Truth, or Life on us. He wants us to choose them ourselves. He knows what we will think, say, and do before we know and provides us with guidance so we might think, speak, and act as Jesus would. There is no escaping from God. He sees everything in our minds and hearts, understands the inner struggles we have, and wants to help us overcome everything so we can be His good and faithful servants.

What does God see within us? What do we see within ourselves? Are we the person we are called to be as Christians?

O Lord, guide us along the everlasting way to life with you.

Amen.

Thirtieth Thursday in Ordinary Time

Save me, O Lord, in your mercy. Do you, O GOD, my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name’s sake; in your generous mercy rescue me; For I am wretched and poor, and my heart is pierced within me.

There are moments in our lives when we just have to ask God to save us. We are lost in a sea of confusion. We are battered by storms of doubt and difficulties. We are crushed beneath a mountain of worries. We are pierced by sufferings and sorrows. We don’t have the strength to get back onto our feet without God’s Help. Thankfully, God is always listening and He will never give us a burden we cannot bear. He will always grant us graces, blessings, and strengths to overcome our trials. He takes pity on us, wretched and poor, and deals kindly with us. He tends to our wounds, guides us back to where we are meant to be, and shows us the way forward.

Do we ask God to save us or do we try to save ourselves? How can we learn to trust that God will deal with us kindly and rescue us from harm? What can we do to imitate His generous mercy in our own daily lives?

O Lord, in your generous mercy rescue us.

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-Fifth Wednesday in Ordinary Time

Blessed be God, who lives forever. Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles, for though he has scattered you among them, he has shown you his greatness even there.

Even when we are in the midst of trials and difficulties, we should find it in our hearts to praise God. The world might look at our challenges and sufferings and mock us, saying, “Where is your God now?” But we know that even in the darkest of nights, our God is with us. Even when we are scattered and defeated, He is there to pick up the pieces and put us back together even better than before. We might not understand why we suffer or appreciate how our failures and defeats can lead us to better things, but they do if we allow them. Sometimes in order to make a jump, we have to step back from the edge and get a running start. These leaps of faith require great trust in God, but as long as we do believe, we will make it to the other side and once again to see the greatness of God and be able to show it to others.

Do we praise God even in the middle of our trials? How can we learn to trust God enough to go through periods of darkness and suffering without losing faith? How can we help others do the same?

O Lord, you show your greatness to us each and every day.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs! Why should I fear in evil days when my wicked ensnarers ring me round? They trust in their wealth; the abundance of their riches is their boast.

Even when things seem the worst, we should not fear. Even when our enemies seem to have the upper hand, we should trust in God. Even when we are seemingly abandoned, we are not alone. Even when evil seems to be winning the day, we should know that the victory of the good will come. God may let us be tried by trials and sufferings, but if we remain true to Him, He will not allow them to overwhelm us. Others might show off their wealth, flaunt their fame, or revel in their desires, but ultimately these things will wither and fade. Such worldly people cling to these empty things, but in the end, they will leave this world with nothing to show for their lives. It is the poor in spirit who will bear abundant fruits and make a true and lasting difference in the world.

Are we poor in spirit and rich in kindness? Are we unafraid of the evils around us? Have we placed our trust in God as we should?

O Lord, with you at our side, we have nothing to fear from the wicked.

Amen.

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

We are all in need of some discipline. There are areas of our lives where we all need some extra work. There are imperfections and sins in each of us that require some correction. So. it should come as no surprise when we are disciplined in some way. God doesn’t do this to hurt us, but rather to help us overcome our weaknesses and build up our faith, hope, and love. These moments of trial may be painful, but if we use them as opportunities to grow in holiness, then they will ultimately lead to joy and the peaceful fruits of righteousness.

What areas in our lives do we need more discipline? How can we learn to appreciate the trials that come our way and use them as stepping stones toward holier lives? What can we do to help others to overcome their weaknesses?

O Lord, we accept your discipline and hope to grow from it.

Amen.

Fifteenth Friday of Ordinary Time

I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people.

We are all asked by God to make sacrifices. Some are asked to suffer and work harder than others. Some are tried greatly. Others are tried lightly. Each is tried and tested according to their abilities and what God needs from them as followers. He never gives us more than we can handle. He always is with us and provides us the graces to overcome every obstacle. All we have to do is trust in Him, to call on Him in our times of need, and do His Will with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths.

What sacrifices is God asking of us? Are we willing to make them? How can we pay what we owe God in terms of love, loyalty, and trust?

O Lord, we offer you sacrifices of thanksgiving for all you’ve done for us.

Amen.

Fifteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live. I am sunk in the abysmal swamp where there is no foothold; I have reached the watery depths; the flood overwhelms me.

There are times in our lives when we feel helpless. We feel like we are sinking into an abyss and have no way to escape. We feel overwhelmed and lost. However, if we turn to the Lord in these times of trial, then He will help us. He will give us what we need to overcome our difficulties and triumph. He will help us to make it through the dark night to the dawn of hope. He will provide us with grace and goods that will nourish and support us. He will help us to live fruitful and meaningful lives.

Are there areas of our lives where we are sinking or in danger of sinking into darkness? What can we do to bring God into these areas to help us escape? How do we show our gratitude for all God has done to provide for our needs?

O Lord, we turn to you in our times of need.

Amen.

Second Friday of Lent

Remember the marvels the Lord has done. When the LORD called down a famine on the land and ruined the crop that sustained them, He sent a man before them, Joseph, sold as a slave.

We all undergo trials and tribulations in our lives. Some challenges come early in life, others later. We never quite understand why they happen to us or where they will lead us. Often, we ask in protest, “Why me?” And yet if our hearts are open to God’s Will, we discover our sufferings have led us to a better place. We must pass through the famine to get to the feast. We must struggle in slavery before we can taste true freedom. We must see ourselves ruined before we rebuild a better life. These painful moments in our lives are not something to fear or shy away from. They are opportunities to join ourselves with the Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Instead of complaining, we should thank God for the difficulties in our lives and ask Him, “What do you want me to learn from this?”

Can we think of any times when we have suffered in some way and it led us to a person, place, or thing that helped us grow as a Christian? How can we unite our suffering with that of Jesus Christ? What can we do to transform our difficulties and challenges into opportunities to grow in faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, you have done marvelous things for us.

Amen.

Second Wednesday of Lent

Save me, O Lord, in your kindness. You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.

The wickedness and snares of the Devil are all around us. We see it in the world, in people, in places, and in things. We are constantly tempted by evil or tormented by those who see good and want to tear it down. God is our only refuge in this dark valley. He is our light, leading us to safety. He is our shelter, protecting us from the storm. He is our help, freeing us from the snares. If we want to have any hope of reaching Heaven, then we must commend our spirits to Him and allow Him to shepherd us to the Promised Land along the Way He has prepared for us.

Do we pray for God’s Help in overcoming the wickedness and snares of the Devil? Do we turn to Him in our times of need and commend our spirits to Him? How can we train ourselves to seek His Grace, follow His Light, and walk His Way?

O Lord, save us in your kindness.

Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven and as such we have rights and responsibilities to our Lord and God. We have the right to God's Love Mercy and Grace. We have the right to life, to liberty from sin, and the pursuit of spiritual happiness. However, these rights do not come without cost or responsibilities. The cost of being saved is being willing to conform our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies to the commandments of the Father, the teachings of the Son, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. In order to live, we must be willing to die to ourselves. In order to be free, we must be willing to become humble servants of God. In order to have happiness, we must be willing to face trials and sufferings for God's Glory and the good of others. If we want to be saved, then we must be willing to lose ourselves in the Love of God and stand firm with our Beloved, now and forevermore.

Do we act like citizens of the world or citizens of Heaven? Are we using or abusing our God-given rights? How can we conform ourselves more perfectly to God's Will so we can joyfully fulfill our spiritual responsibilities?

O Lord, change us so we conform more perfectly with your glorified body.

Amen.

First Wednesday of Lent

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 

It can be difficult to have a steadfast spirit in the world. We are constantly tempted by sins, bombarded by distractions, and struggling with our weaknesses. It can be very spiritually draining to fight off these things over and over again, especially our bad habits. Evil thoughts can weigh our hearts down and lead us astray. However, the beautiful thing about being Christians is the knowledge that God wants to forgive us and will do everything He can to save us. He will grant us mercy and graces to help us overcome every spiritual obstacle. Through the sacraments, He renews our spiritual reserves and makes it possible for us to avoid sins, ignore distractions, and conquer our weaknesses. He will not spurn us if we come to Him.

What sins, distractions, and weaknesses do we need to overcome? How can we do so with the help of the sacraments? What can we do to help others to conquer their obstacles to holiness?

O Lord, create a clean heart within us and renew our spirits.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

When we think of the benefits God gives us, we often think of the gifts, goods, and graces He provides us. However, there is another benefit that He gives us... discipline. Trials, sufferings, difficulties can sometimes seem like a punishment, but they are not allowed to happen to us without a reason. We might not understand why we must suffer, but God knows what good comes from our tribulations. He doesn't allow evil to befall us because He doesn't care, but rather He allows it so we might do what is right. If our lives came too easily for us, we would take everything for granted and lose our perspective. We would come to expect everything to arrive on a silver platter. We would forget that doing what is right and good often takes sacrifice of worldly pleasures. So, let us not complain when we are undergoing trials, but rather accept them gratefully as chances to build up our faith, rely on our hope, and show our unwavering love.

What difficulties are we going through? What can we do to get through them without bitterness? How can we see our trials as a blessing and not a curse?

O Lord, we shall never forget all the benefits you've given us.

Amen.

Fourth Monday in Ordinary Time

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. How great is the goodness, O LORD, which you have in store for those who fear you, And which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of the children of men.

No matter what might be happening in our lives, no matter the trials, the sufferings, the failures... we should take comfort in the Lord. He is our beacon of Hope in the darkness of the world. He is full of goodness and compassion and will never abandon us to evil. We might go through great challenges and difficulties, but He will always give us the graces we need to overcome the challenges of our lives. He holds a special place in His Divine Heart for those of us who respect and love Him enough to fear disappointing Him above all.

Are we hopeful? Do we trust in God’s Goodness and Divine Grace? How can we nurture a healthy fear of failing the Lord?

O Lord, we hope and take refuge in you.

Amen.

Third Wednesday in Ordinary Time

 You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek. The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

Every good, grace, talent, and power we have has been given to us by God as a free gift. He provides everything we need to grow in faith, hope, and love because He wants us to spend the rest of eternity with Him. He wants us to rule over our minds, bodies, and spirits with prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice. He wants us to overcome the enemies of evil, temptation, and indifference. He wants us to follow in His Beloved Son’s footsteps and become priests, prophets, and servant kings.

Have we thanked God for all the goods, graces, talents, and powers He has given us? How can we rule over ourselves more perfectly? In what ways can we be more like Christ?

O Lord, thank you for the powers you have given us.

Amen.

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

The Lord will remember his covenant forever. I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.

It can be tough to remember God’s covenant with us, especially in a world full of temptations and distraction. We can lose sight of God’s Goodness and the debts we owe Him for all the gifts He has given us over the years. We can take for granted God’s Love and Mercy and lose our way. Thankfully, God sends us daily reminders, great and small. Instances of His Presence in our lives. The greatest of these reminders is the Blessed Sacrament, which we can receive on a daily basis if we seek it out. And even when we can’t make it to Mass, God pours out His graces on us and makes us part of His company, His children. So, let us be thankful and delight in the works of the Lord.

Do we remember our covenant with God on a daily basis? Do we give thanks to Him for all He has done for us? How can we overcome everything that stands in the way of us being part of God’s company?

O Lord, great are your works.

Amen.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare. Had not the LORD been with us—when men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive, When their fury was inflamed against us.

Our souls can be ensnared by many things in this world. They can be ensnared by sin, fears, doubts, anxieties, imperfections, financial worries, health scares, the loss of loved ones, persecutions, and many other trials. However, God will always rescue us from these difficulties if we are willing to accept His help. Even when things seem the worst, He can bring about our triumph. There is no challenge He can’t help us overcome. This doesn’t mean we won’t suffer, like Jesus suffered, but it does mean we will always have the graces we need to overcome every obstacle in our lives.

What things in the world are trying to ensnare us? How can we avoid or overcome these things? What can we do to learn to suffer patiently and trust in God’s ultimate triumph?

O Lord, rescue us from the snares of our enemies.

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.