Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

"Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear."

There are times in our lives when someone speaks the word of God to us. They might tell us to reform our ways, give us words of encouragement to continue on our path, or offer us advice that will help us grow in faith, hope, or love. It is important that we open our minds and hearts to these people, listen, and then do what God is calling us to do. There are other times when we are asked to speak the Word of God to others, to warn others against sin, to help lead them to a better life, to support them in their spiritual journeys. At these times, we are asked to be like the prophets of old and must be willing to act as such even if doing so means risking the mockery and anger of others.

Are we listening for the Word of God when others speak to us, especially those whom we know are good and faithful servants to the Lord? How might we become better prophets of the Good News to others? In what ways can we be more open to communicating with God and speaking his truth to others?

O Lord, give us ears to hear you and lips to speak you.

Amen.

Sixteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; if each of you deals justly with his neighbor; if you no longer oppress the resident alien, the orphan, and the widow; if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place, or follow strange gods to your own harm, will I remain with you in this place, in the land I gave your fathers long ago and forever.

We all need to reform our lives in some way. We all have weaknesses we need to strengthen, failings we need to fix, and bad habits we need to break. We have temptations we need to resist, false idols we need to destroy, and sins we need to atone for. We also have opportunities for good we need to take advantage of when they present themselves. Only when we do all these things can we hope to make our hearts a worthy place for the Lord.

In what ways do we need to reform our lives? What can we do to strengthen ourselves in faith, hope, and love? How can we place God more firmly into the center of our lives?

O Lord, help us to reform our ways and our deeds.

Amen.

Eighth Monday of Ordinary Time

To the penitent God provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth. Return to him and give up sin, pray to the LORD and make your offenses few. Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin, hate intensely what he loathes, and know the justice and judgments of God, Stand firm in the way set before you, in prayer to the Most High God.

We are all sinners. God understands our weakened nature and that is why He always provides the penitent a way back to Him. If we are truly sorry for our failings and fully intend to make amends for them, then He will help us to succeed in obtaining His Mercy. He will give us the Truth that will set us free from our sins. He will show us how empty they are. He will encourage us to give up our sinful ways, pray to Him, and do our best to avoid temptation. He will give us the graces we need to turn our backs on evil and hate that which He hates. He will reveal His Justice and help us to stand firm in the Way we are called to walk. He will offer us a fulfilling life of holiness and every chance to keep our baptismal clothes clean of the stain of sin. And if we should fall again, He will be ready to lift us up and place our feet back on the narrow path to heaven. All we have to do is say, “Forgive me, Father for I have sinned.”

When we sin, do we immediately seek to make amends with God? Are we willing to give up our sins and reform our lives in accord with the Divine Image of God within us? What can we do to not only avoid evil, but also do good?

O Lord, give us the strength to stand firm in the way you've set before us.

Amen.