Fourteenth Friday of Ordinary Time

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever. They are not put to shame in an evil time; in days of famine they have plenty. 

Being wholehearted means offering everything to God. It means not holding anything back. It means giving all we have to God. It means making our lives into living sacrifices. It means handing over our minds, hearts, souls, and bodies to God to do with as He wills. It means loving God and His children with all we are. If we do this, then we will inherit the Kingdom of God. We will not be put to shame. We will have plenty all the days of our lives.

Are we wholeheartedly God’s people? If not, then how can we become more God’s and less our own? What can we do to make clear to God and others that we are Christians?

O Lord, we are wholeheartedly yours.

Amen.

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

We have nothing to fear as long as we are right with God. If we seek forgiveness for our sins with humble and contrite hearts, then He will show us mercy. If we trust in His Divine Plan, then He will lead us where we need to be. If we think, speak, and act like Christ, then we shall become co-heirs to the kingdom. If we believe God is at our side, we shall have the courage we need to face any challenge. If we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others, then we shall find our reward in Heaven.

Are we afraid of things we shouldn’t fear? How can we overcome these anxieties and show God we trust in Him? What can we do to give others the courage to live out their faith, too?

O Lord, we fear no evil for you are at our side.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Thursday in Ordinary Time

I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me.

Although God could force us to do what is right, He doesn't. He lets us make good and bad choices out of respect for our free will. This doesn't mean He fails to give us guidance. Far from it! He has given us a conscience to warn us against evil. He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us to live our faith with hope and love. He has poured out His saving graces upon us through His Beloved Son, Jesus. He has the full right in Christ to order us to do what is proper, but He wants us to do what is right out of love and not just obligation. We might not always understand why God asks certain things of us, but He always asks for what's best for all His children. It might involve some sacrifice on our part, but in the end what we give up will pale in comparison to the consolations we will receive in Heaven for being a good and faithful servant to God and His children.

How can we prepare ourselves to do what is right? In what ways can we learn to be more attentive to our consciences and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are we willing to give up our time, talents, and treasures to do God's Will?

O Lord, out of love we give ourselves to you and your Divine Will.

Amen.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.

Through baptism, we have been united to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We have been given the vocation to walk the Way, speak the Truth, and live the Life of Christ. We have been asked to be willing to mortify ourselves and suffer for the glory of God and the good of others. We have been given the love, mercy, and grace we need to free ourselves from sin and death. All these things lead us into a deeper union with God and if we are willing to crucify our old selves for God, then we shall be made worth of a life with Him in Heaven.

How can we grow in union with God? Are we truly willing to crucify ourselves in meaningful and life transforming ways? How can we become more Christ-like in our lives so that we might overcome death and share in the resurrection?

O Lord, we choose to die for you so we might live with you forever.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Our lives are either guided by the flesh or by the spirit. If we are guided by the flesh, then we will fall into every kind of wickedness. We will become prideful, envious, wrathful, lustful, gluttonous, greedy, and slothful. We will live worldly lives constantly chasing our evil passions and empty pleasures. In contrast, if we live according to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, then we shall have fruitful lives. We shall have love, joy, and peace no matter what might be going on in our lives. We will grow in patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, and gentleness. We will learn to tame our passions and gain the self-control we need to become holy people. Last but not least, our flesh will be crucified by our sacrifices and we will be freed from the chains of our sins and able to live as good and faithful servants to God and all His children.

Are we living according to the flesh or according to the Holy Spirit? How can we rid ourselves of those evil inclinations that lead us into temptation and sin? How can we grow in the virtues that will lead us to life everlasting?

O Lord, crucify our flesh with its passions and desires so that we might be made holy.

Amen.

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

The imitation of Christ is the core of what it means to be a Christian. We are all called to do everything for the glory of God and for the good of all souls. We have a vocation to love God and our neighbors. We are asked to give no one any offense and to seek to please everyone in every way as long as it is right and good. We are called to seek the benefit of the many over our own benefit. We are tasked with leading others to salvation by being reflections of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace. As imitators of Christ, we are meant to be exemplars of holiness to everyone whom we meet no matter who they might be. This isn’t always easy, but we do not live up to the name of Christians if we do not try to be a blessing to all.

How can we be better imitators of Christ? What can we do to live more holy, graceful, and loving lives? Do we seek the benefit of others even when it means sacrificing our own interests?

O Lord, help us to be a more perfect imitators of you in all things.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

"I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man's beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law."

It can be difficult to disregard ourselves for the sake of our faith, but it is necessary if we want to receive the reward of eternal life. Throughout our lives we will be tempted in many ways to abandon or compromise our beliefs, to do evil, and turn our backs on God. We might be lured by pride, envy, wrath, greed, lust, gluttony, or sloth, but these sins lead to death. The only way to live forever is to choose faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice as the pillars of our every thought, word, and work. By building our lives around these holy virtues, we can overcome all temptations, avoid sin, and embrace the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ.

Are we willing to give up everything for God? How can we resist temptations to selfishness and sin? What are we doing to build our lives on virtue and self-giving?

O Lord, we are willing to disregard ourselves for your sake and the sake of your children.

Amen.

Thirty-Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time

For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Even though we might suffer and be persecuted for our faith, we will not go unrewarded for our fidelity to God and His teachings as handed down to us through the Scriptures and the Church. We might be asked to make sacrifices, but none of the things we will give up in this life will compare to the blessings we will receive when we come into the Kingdom. Each day, we are tested by God, not because He wants us to fail, but because He wants us to succeed in what is most important in life. He gives us every grace and opportunity to do the greatest good with our lives and to become living saints. Whatever we suffer is simply meant to purify us of those attachments that are holding us back from knowing, loving, and serving God and others more perfectly. Our sacrifices when united with those of Jesus Christ shine for all to see and like living fires sent the world ablaze with the love of God. We are all called to be witnesses to the faith and it is only through trial and triumph that we can give the best of witnesses... the witness of self-gift.

Are we willing to suffer a little in this world in order to enjoy the feasts in heaven? How can we prove ourselves to God and give a fruitful witness to the Good News? In what ways can we set the world ablaze with the love of God?

O Lord, we offer ourselves to you as living sacrifices for your glory.

Amen.

Thirtieth Friday of Ordinary Time

I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are children of Israel; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

We should always be concerned for others. Because of this we should always speak the truth in Christ. Our consciences should ever be joined with the Holy Spirit so we can be better bearers of witness to the world. We should be more than willing to sacrifice ourselves in the pursuit of saving souls just as Jesus Christ did in his most holy life. In the end, we might not be able to convince others to believe, but we can at least show them what it means to truly believe by being good, faithful, hopeful, and loving people.

Do we show concern for others or are we self-absorbed? How can we become better witnesses to the Good News and God’s Divine Love and Mercy towards all? In what ways can we sacrifice ourselves for the good of others?

O Lord, help us to lead others to you.

Amen.

Twentieth Friday of Ordinary Time

Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth stayed with her. Naomi said, "See now! Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god. Go back after your sister-in-law!" But Ruth said, "Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God."

Love is a powerful force. It can hold us together even in the midst of trials and tribulations. It can lead us to leave everything we know and follow the path it sets for us. Love is willing to sacrifice itself for its loved ones. If we want to become good and faithful servants of God, then we need to cultivate the virtue of love and abandon our attachments to worldly things. If we do this, then we will discover that our hearts will lead us to the Lord and we shall be with His people and He shall be our God in spirit and truth.

What are we doing in our faith lives to grow in love? Are we willing to detach ourselves from all worldly things? Where is God asking us to go?

O Lord, wherever you go, we will follow.

Amen.

Fourth Wednesday of Advent

“Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” She left Samuel there.

Just as Hannah consecrated Samuel to the Lord, so does Mary consecrate us. Everything we are and have is God’s and it is in Him that we find our fulfillment. Both Mary and Hannah were willing to offer up their beloved sons to God and likewise we need to be willing to give up whatever is most beloved to us. We are all called to dedicate ourselves to God and let Him think, speak, and work through us. If we do this, then we shall become good and faithful servants living sacramental and prophetic lives.

Have we dedicated our lives to God? Are we willing to sacrifice our most beloved people, places, and things to know, love, and serve God? How can we repay God for all He has done for us?

O Lord, we give ourselves to you through the hands of your Holy Mother, Mary.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.

We are constantly tempted to attach ourselves to worldly things and if we give in we can lose out on many chances to follow God’s Will. We don’t know the day or hour when our lives on earth will end, or when the Second Coming will arrive, but we should constantly be preparing ourselves for it through our choices. How we spend our time, talents, and treasure has a great effect on our salvation. We cannot be so enamored with the world that we would choose it over an eternity with God in Paradise. There is nothing on earth that could ever take God’s place in our hearts and we shall be nothing but empty shells if we try. Instead, we should seize every moment that we can to do what is right and to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. And this means detaching ourselves from the world so that we can empty ourselves and let God fill us with His Love, Mercy, and Grace.

What are the things we are attached to? How can we detach ourselves from them? Are we truly willing to lose our lives in order to know, love, and serve God and His children?

O Lord, help us to let go of this world so that we can embrace you in the next.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

In order to live for God, we must die to ourselves. We must be willing to give our every possession, including our lives, in order to do God's Will. This is the only way to produce the good fruit God desires from us. We cannot yield anything but the weeds of sin if we do not tend to our souls and cultivate the virtues of faith, hope, and love. If we love ourselves more than God, then we lose the light of truth, our roots wither, and we put ourselves at risk of dying a death that we can never return from. But if we are willing to sacrifice everything we are and have for God's sake or for His children, then we shall preserve our lives for eternity with the Holy Trinity. We must follow in Jesus footsteps if we want to be saved. This means living a life that is sacrificial and loving and selfless. Then and only then can we claim to be servants of God and discover the honor that comes from being a humble disciple of Christ, His Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Are we willing to die to ourselves so that we can live for God and His children? How can we prune our lives of the temptation to selfish love? What can we do to be better followers of Christ?

O Lord, we hand over our lives to you. Do with them what you will.

Amen.

Ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time

The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

When we love God with all our hearts, understandings, and strengths and love our neighbors as Jesus loves them, we transform our lives into a living embodiment of God’s Love and glorify Him through our every action and sacrifice. Understanding and enacting God's teachings are central to our faith. It is in love that we find meaning in our lives and it is through love that we fulfill our calling as Christians. Love is our true and universal vocation, the one that leads us along the narrow path to heaven and eventually to life everlasting. Without love, we are nothing and to nothing we will return. But with love, we are united with God and our neighbors. We are made whole and shall never die.

Do we love God with all our hearts, understandings, and strengths? Do we love our neighbor as ourselves? How can we cultivate the sacrificial, but fulfilling, virtue of love in our lives?

O Lord, we love you and all your children.

Amen.

The Third Saturday of Easter

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.”

Believing in the gospel message is hard, but this shouldn’t shock us. Jesus’ teachings challenge us to live spiritual lives rather than worldly ones and because of this our more selfish instincts can rebel against the idea. We wonder why we cannot have it all and still remain a follower of Christ. However, God wants all of us, our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies. He doesn’t want a divided heart. He gave himself completely for us and if we really want to be his disciples, then we must be willing to give up our lives for him, too.

What is the hardest thing about believing? How can we do a better job of trusting God in spite of our doubts and difficulties with our faith? Are we truly willing to give up the world in order to gain heaven?

O Lord, give us your Spirit so that we might live forever with you.

Amen.

Good Friday

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Jesus was incarnated for us. He was raised by the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph for us. He was baptized for us. He was tempted by the Devil and prevailed for us. He was a preacher of the Good News for us. He performed miracles for us. He suffered persecution for us. He was abandoned, betrayed and bound for us. He was mistreated and found guilty for us. He was scourged and crowned with thorns for us. He was condemned and sentenced to crucifixion for us. He carried his cross and its humiliation for us. He was nailed to the cross for us. He was lifted up for all to mock for us. He was merciful even to his enemies for us. He granted mercy to the good thief for us. He bestowed his Blessed Mother Mary to all mankind for us. He felt abandoned for us. He thirsted for us. He accomplished everything for us. He sacrificed his body and blood for us. He handed over his spirit for us. He did all these things and more for us and we should make every effort to remember this throughout our lives and eternity.

Do we spend time every day recalling what Jesus has done for us? How can we use Jesus’ life of self-sacrifice as a model for our own lives? In what ways do we accomplish God’s Will through our thoughts, words, and works?

O Lord, we thirst for your saving waters and the accomplishment of your will.

Amen.

The Third Monday of Lent

“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

We are all called to be prophets of the Good News and as such we should expect to be rejected by others who do not wish to hear what we have to say. However, we cannot let others keep us from spreading the Gospel. Just like Jesus, we cannot be afraid of speaking the truth. We might not be popular for it. We might even be persecuted. But it is the right thing to do no matter what. This is a difficult calling, especially in an age that preaches ambiguity over truth. Nevertheless, we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves by telling the truth and acting as Jesus would, even if it costs us our lives.

How can we be better prophets of God’s Love for His children? Are we willing to be rejected by family, friends and neighbors in order to proclaim the Good News? Are we brave enough to speak the truth even when others do not want to hear it?

O Lord, help us to be prophets of your sanctifying Gospel.

Amen.

The Second Wednesday of Lent

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus was a servant leader and he calls all of us to follow his example. We need to remember that our authority, talents, and accomplishments come from God and should be used in the service of Him and His children. We also have to cultivate a sense of humility so that when we are given authority over others we do not lord it over them. Our every thought, word, and work should imitate Christ and just as he became a slave to all so must we. Last but not least, we ought to develop a spirit of self-sacrifice and detachment from the world so that we can always be prepared and willing to lay down our lives for others.

How are we preparing ourselves to be servant leaders in the Church and to the world? Do we give God the glory for all our authority, talents, and accomplishments? How can we cultivate spirits of humility and self-sacrifice?

O Lord, we want to serve and give our lives for the many.

Amen.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

Most of us can hardly imagine what it would be like to have to flee our homes in fear of our lives, nor can we fully comprehend the sacrifices Joseph and Mary made in order to be the parents of Christ. Being a holy family for them was full of self-sacrifices. Joseph gave up his pride in order to take Mary as he wife in spite of her being pregnant. He also gave up his home to flee to Egypt where he had no contacts, no prospects of work, and no common language. So too, Mary gave up being close to her family and ultimately would see her beloved son scourged and crucified. Whenever we are tempted to complain about our lot in life or start to take for granted what we have, we should remember that Mary and Joseph suffered much more than we can imagine and though they might not have understood the reasons, they did accept that their trials were for God’s greater glory. Perhaps we should follow in their examples and be willing to trust God’s plan for us and whatever sorrows might come to us for the greater good.

Are we as trusting of God as we should be? How can we become more like Mary and Joseph when it comes to doing God’s Will? Are we willing to go wherever God leads us and do whatever He wants us to do?

O Lord, you called us, help us to rise up and do your will.

Amen.

First Saturday of Advent

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.  Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Jesus reminds us that without cost we have received his love, mercy, and grace and in order to be his disciples, we are to give these to others without cost. God’s love for us is unconditional. His mercy is inexhaustible. His grace is ever present. In the same way, we should be loving, merciful, and full of grace toward all whom we meet. We are all called to be laborers for the harvest of souls and although we might not have miraculous powers, we can be instruments of God’s Will in everything we do. We can go into the world and proclaim the kingdom through our humble words and self-sacrificing works. God has given each of us the powers we need to be Godbearers in this world. We have only to accept the mantle and do everything within our power to be good and faithful servants to God and all His children.

Are we willing to labor for the kingdom of God? Do our thoughts, words, and works proclaim the Good News? Do we give ourselves to others without counting the cost?

O Lord, you have given us everything. Let us give everything to others in the same spirit of generosity.

Amen.