Third Tuesday of Advent

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. The mountains shall yield peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor.

We all have the responsibilities of kings. We are called to protect the innocent and the weak. We are asked to defend the afflicted and save the poor, young and old alike. We are tasked with lifting people out of despair and giving them hope. We are to be an example of holiness to all those around us. We are to be just and merciful in our dealings with others. We are to bring peace and prosperity to all mankind, starting with our families, friends, and neighbors and then out to the rest of the world. We flourish and grow and produce good fruits when we act like kings should.

Are we living up to our responsibilities to be kingly servants to all? In what ways are we bringing justice and peace into our world? What can we do to defend the afflicted and save the poor?

O Lord, may our words and works yield peace and justice to others.

Amen.

Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people. Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever.

God has asked all of us to be leaders in His Church. He wants us to follow in His Beloved Son’s footsteps. He wants us to be fishers of men and shepherds of His flock. We can’t do that if we don’t take up our crosses and lead by example. Each of us has a unique leadership role to play in the Divine Plan. We have gifts and talents that only we can give. No one else can do what we do for God and His children. We might not realize how unique we are in the plan of salvation, but we are special and we do everyone a disservice if we do not live up to our potential. So, let us accept the seat of leadership God has prepared for us and give it our all.

In what areas in our lives are we being called to leadership? What gifts and talents can we use to further the glory of God and the good of others? How can we become better stewards of the goods and responsibilities God has given us?

O Lord, we praise your name for giving us a seat at your table.

Amen.

Monday After Epiphany

I will give you all the nations for an inheritance. The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.”

God has given us all a great inheritance. He has provided us life for a reason. He has not given us the gifts and goods we have to squander them on worldly things. He wants us to use them to proclaim His Good News in great and small ways. Not all of us are called to be prophets, priests, or kings, but we all have duties that reflect these roles. We are asked to speak the Truth like the Prophet of Prophets. We are called to make our lives into sacrifices like the Priest of Priests. We are called to know, love, and serve God and others like the King of Kings. We can't do these things if we prefer the lies of the world, allow our possessions to possess us, avoid suffering at all costs, or choose to be selfish. No, the only way to be found worthy of our spiritual inheritance is to accept it and then live our lives in accordance with God's Will.

Are we using our inheritance wisely and well? How can we become better stewards of God's gifts and blessings? How can we avoid the temptations and traps of the world?

O Lord, we are your children and accept your will.

Amen.

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus is our King, but not in the way the world sees kings. He is a servant king, who puts the welfare of his people above his own. He is willing to sacrifice himself for our good in hopes that we might grow in faith, hope, and love. He has given us a faithful witness of what it means to be a good and faithful servant. It means a willingness to suffer and to forgive. It means loving our enemies as well as our family and friends. It means making ourselves into living sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. It means acting like kings and queens called to know, love, and serve God and all His children. It means becoming priestly people, keeping holy the Sabbath and partaking in the sacraments. It means being prophets of the Good News and bearing the Word of God to all whom we meet each day in whatever ways God calls us.

Are we allowing Jesus and his teachings to rule our lives? How can we let the Holy Spirit work through us and become more faithful servants to God and His children? In what ways can we transform ourselves into priests for our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, make us into faithful witnesses to you, just as Jesus was, is, and ever will be the perfect witness to your goodness and glory.

Amen.

Monday of Holy Week

Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Jesus is the perfect servant of the Heavenly Father and gives us a model we can all follow along the way to paradise. He shows us how to be pleasing to God and live Spirit-filled lives. He shows us how to bring justice to the world through our thoughts, words, and works. He shows us how to proclaim the Good News in humble and gentle ways that draw people to God. He shows us how to be a people of the New Covenant and a light to all. He shows us how to be loving and merciful and free others from the chains of sin, indifference, and distraction.

Are we servants of God or ourselves? How can we be more faithful to God and allow Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit? What can we do to bring justice, love, mercy, and grace to those whom are in need of them?

O Lord, we desire to be good and faithful servants.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you, on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious. For a bishop as God's steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents.

Paul’s description of presbyters is one that we all should take to heart. He describes the qualities that Titus should look for in those whom he appoints as presbyters, but also, he describes the qualities that we all should strive for in our lives. We should be blameless. We should be chaste, in marriage or in single life. We should raise children, our own or others, in the faith to the best of our abilities. We should rid ourselves of all arrogance, irritability, intemperance, aggressiveness, and greed. And instead, we should be welcoming, lovers of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled. We should hold fast to the commandments of our Heavenly Father, to the teachings of Jesus, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. We should proclaim the Good News to all whom we meet each day. We should be true and faithful servants to God so that we can exhort others to better lives and refute those who would lead us astray.

How can we become better servants of God? How can we live out our vocations in alignment with God’s Will? How can we rid ourselves of all the things that keep us from being holy people?

O Lord, grant us your grace so that we might set right what remains to be done.

Amen.

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

David grew steadily more powerful, for the LORD of hosts was with him.

The Lord of hosts is with us. And if we let Him fully into our lives, then He will make us more powerful, too. Perhaps not in worldly terms of fame, success, and fortune, but in the spiritual terms of faith, hope, and love. Just as David was the king of the Israelites, so are we called to be servant leaders for all whom we meet each day. We may not have a golden crown or temporal powers, but we do have crown of virtues and spiritual blessings. We may not have been anointed to kingship, but we are all anointed to discipleship and the best way to fulfill that calling is to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths and love our neighbors as Jesus loves them. If we do these things, then we shall be models of excellence for all whom we meet, leading them closer to God and the ultimate victory of eternal life with the Holy Trinity.

Are we aware of God’s presence in our lives? Are we welcoming and inviting to Him? How can we become better servant leaders?

O Lord, remain with us and give us your strength to overcome evil and power to do good.

Amen.

First Saturday of Ordinary Time

Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul's head; he also kissed him, saying: "The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage. You are to govern the LORD's people Israel, and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.

We are all anointed in the sacrament of baptism and again when we choose to undertake the act of confirmation. These anointings echo those of the kings of the Old Testament as well as the anointing of Jesus before his passion and death. They signify our renewal and also call us to service. Just as Saul and the Israelite kings were called to be servant leaders of Israel, so we are called to be servant leaders of our families, our communities, and our Church. We might fail in this responsibility like Saul and the other kings, but we are given every opportunity to succeed in the tasks God has prepared for us. He wants us to govern ourselves and become models for others. He wants us to save people from the grasp of sin. He wants us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and lead others to good and faithful lives.

Are we living out our baptismal calling to be living signs of God’s love for all whom we meet? Are we willing to become servant leaders, even if it means sacrifice and suffering on our part? How can we save others from the wickedness and snares of the Devil?

O Lord, make us into servant leaders, who protect others from the evils of the world.

Amen.

Twenty-Fourth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The word deacon means “servant” in Greek and indicates a special type of vocation to ministry. However, this list of qualifications for becoming a deacon also applies to our own lives because we are all called to be servants of God and each other. In light of this, we should all strive to be dignified, truthful, prudent, charitable, and ever faithful. We should expect to be tested in our faith by God, by others, and even by ourselves. We should be temperate and chaste, and manage our lives and the lives of our families wisely and well. If we do these things, then we will fulfill our purpose on this earth and find ourselves in good standing with God and confident in our faith because we will have chosen to live our lives as good and faithful servants.

Are we living our lives as servants of God and His children? What vocation is God calling us to embrace? How can we model ourselves upon the virtues of those who are called to the diaconate?

O Lord, help us to hold fast to the mystery of our faith with a clear conscience.

Amen.

Twenty-Fourth Monday of Ordinary Time

First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

We all need to pray for our leaders. Our leaders from the local to national levels can have a great influence over our lives as well as the morals of society as a whole. The laws, decisions, and regulations made today will have far-reaching effects and we as a people of faith have the responsibility to not only elect people with well-formed consciences, but also to pray for all politicians in order to give them the strength they need to resist the temptations of public office and make policy decisions that lead to quiet and tranquil lives for their constituents. We also have to pray for our officials so that we will have an environment that leads our people greater devotion to God and dignity for all.

Do we pray for our leaders? How can we do a better job of supporting politician who have well-formed consciences? What can we do to ensure our local and national governments are guided by good people?

O Lord, guide our leaders and help them to be good and faithful servants to you and all your children.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Jesus teaches us both how to act and how not to act. First, he lays out what not to do by talking about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who do not practice what they preach, do not lift a finger to help others, and seek honor for themselves. Then, Jesus tells us what we should do. Instead of seeking honor for ourselves, we should humble ourselves. Instead of burdening others, we should be servants of all. Instead of speaking one way and acting another, our words and works should complement each other. God is our Father, our Master, and our Lord and we should do everything for Him and not for ourselves or some worldly idol like wealth, honor, etc. If we humble ourselves before God and others, then we shall be exalted.

How can we live lives that are in closer alignment with Christ's teachings? How can we more perfectly practice what we preach? What can we do to foster humble hearts, souls, and minds?

O Lord, we are humbled before you and ask only to be your good and faithful servants.

Amen.

Eighth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

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

We are all called to be servants. However, to be the best servants we need to know and love the people we are serving. This is what Jesus did for those whom he met. He listened to those he served. He was sympathetic and compassionate toward them. He loved them, especially those who were most difficult to love. He was merciful toward those most in need of mercy. He sacrificed himself for the good of others. He became the slave of all to set them free from their ignorance, sufferings, and attachment to sin. Just as he did all these things, so must we. If we wish to follow in his footsteps and receive the gift of eternal life, then we must live our lives not to be served, but to serve. We must be willing to ransom ourselves for the many. This is where true greatness comes from: the imitation of Christ.

Are we willing to be servants of God and His children, even those whom we find most difficult to serve? Are we willing to sacrifice everything, including our lives, to know, love, and serve others? Are we truly willing to lead the Christ-like life?

O Lord, we are your slaves. Make our every thought, word, and work a ransom for many.

Amen.

Holy Thursday

“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Jesus gives us the perfect example of what it means to be a servant leader. He shows us how to be obedient to God and charitable towards others. He is the teacher, master, and king of all, and yet he humbles himself in order to provide us with a model of modest service. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty while helping those in need of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace. He is the king, who is willing to humble himself in service of others. He is the prophet, who is willing to proclaim the Good News. He is the priest, who is willing to sacrifice himself for the salvation of others. He is our Lord and our Servant.

Do we realize what Jesus has sacrificed for us? Are we willing to humble ourselves to love God and others as we ought to? How can we become better servant leaders in our families, communities, and parishes?

O Lord, help us to follow your model of service.

Amen.