First Thursday of Advent

Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock.

God is our Rock and if our lives are founded on Him, we shall not lose them. No storm of suffering will topple us. No quake of fear will bring us down. No flood of woes shall wash us away. With God as our cornerstone, we can withstand any trial and stand firm against all temptations. We shall survive all difficulties if we trust in God and let Him lead us to a saintly life. It may not be easy to keep the faith in the midst of sufferings, but reaching the Gates of Heaven is worth every test we must undertake.

Are our lives founded on Our Lord and God? Do we trust Him to support us through every trial? How can we make God the foundation of our every thought, word, and work?

O Lord, we trust in you, Our Rock and Savior.

Amen.

Thirty-Fourth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Give glory and eternal praise to him. “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.”

These words were sung by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the midst of a burning furnace. Imagine that for a moment... being surrounded by flames and yet finding the inner calm to sing in praise and glory of God. Trusting God will deliver you from evil no matter the trial you might be facing. What a marvelous faith these men showed. A faith all of us are called to imitate in our own lives, especially when our foes put us to the test or our circumstances seem hopeless. To bless God, even in the middle of our suffering is something that is not easy to do, but it is the best thing for us. It shows God we believe in Him and accept His Will in our lives even if His Divine Plan requires us to face difficult trials and make great sacrifices. So, let us join our voices with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and sing, “Blessed the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever.”

Are we at peace with the difficulties we face in our lives? Do we trust our sufferings will lead to a greater good? Do we praise and glorify God even in the midst of our trials and tribulations?

O Lord, we bless and exalt you above all forever.

Amen.

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.

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.

Thirteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes. Search me, O LORD, and try me; test my soul and my heart. For your mercy is before my eyes, and I walk in your truth.

Not many of us call out for God to search and try us. There is a part of us that would prefer not to be tested. We would rather avoid trials of our faith, hope, or love. We would prefer to steer clear of the sufferings that come along with such ordeals. However, as Christians we cannot shy away from the sacrifices our faith requires of us. We might not want to suffer, but we accept sometimes we must be willing to go through some pain for the glory of God or the good of others. We are able to make such a submission to God’s Will because He has given us an example of selflessness in Jesus. He has also provided us an Advocate in the Holy Spirit who helps us to walk in the truth no matter what might stand in our way.

What do we think God sees in us when He searches our hearts and tests our souls? Will He find goodness, love, and holy righteousness? If He finds weaknesses, then what can we do to overcome our faults and become stronger Christians?

O Lord, search and test us so we might walk in your truth.

Amen.

Tenth Friday of Ordinary Time

To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise. I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; I said in my alarm, “No man is dependable.” 

When we are going through tough times, we can be tempted to lose hope and despair. However, as long as we remember God is with us in all things, we will be able to fight off this temptation to doubt and worry and instead choose to trust in God no matter what is happening to us. Yes, even when we are greatly afflicted, we can be calm and at peace with the knowledge that God is always by our side. He is there as a comforter, guide, and protector and as long as we let go and let Him work within our lives we will be rewarded, if not in this life, then in the next.

Do we offer up all our trials and tribulations as sacrifices of praise to God? How can we keep hope even in our darkest hours? What can we do to help others through their difficulties?

O Lord, we will always hope in you no matter what afflicts us.

Amen.

Second Monday of Easter

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the LORD and against his anointed: "Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!"

Many nations rage against Christian values. Their people utter every folly against the followers of Christ. Mockery and persecution are not things of the distant past. They are constantly circling every Christian looking for any weakness. Some of these are subtle attacks. Others are blatant and violent. Many leaders and politicians conspire against our faith, its teachings, and ultimately our God. All we can do as Christians is defend ourselves with good words and works that speak to the heart of others and make clear we are a people of truth, conviction, and love that will never bow or bend to the pressures of the world.

Are we taking refuge in the Lord in the midst of our trials? Have we prepared ourselves to be persecuted? How can we resist the mockery of the world with our good words and works?

O Lord, help us overcome all our worldly persecutors.

Amen.

Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ. How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

As Christians, we are called to a deep communion with God through the Body and Blood of Christ. This sacrifice speaks to the boundless love and mercy our Heavenly Father has for us and by receiving the Eucharist, we proclaim our own love for Him and our willingness to suffer whatever is necessary for the salvation of souls. When we eat the Body of Christ and drink His Blood, we proclaim not only our faith in the Lord, but also our intention to listen to His Truth, walk His Way, and live His Life. We accept the cup of salvation and all the sacrifices it holds for us. To be in communion with Christ, is to be in union with His Passion, Death, and ultimately His Resurrection.

Do we seek out communion as often as we can? In what ways do we show our unity with God and other Christians? Are we willing to take up the cup of salvation and all the trials and graces it contains?

O Lord, help us to make a return to you for all the good you’ve done for us through the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Amen.

Fifth Saturday of Lent

The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

Sometimes God allows us to be scattered. He allows trials and tribulations to enter our lives and turn them upside down. He doesn’t do this to torment or harm us. He does this because He wants to test our metal. He wants to know if we truly love and serve Him or if we are only giving Him lip service when everything is going our way. He allows our difficulties to reveal our hearts and minds and hopefully to strengthen our faith, hope, and charity. It is much easier to think and say we are Christians, but much more difficult to show we are Christians by our love. Thankfully, after we are scattered, God comes to gather us again, bringing peace and guarding us from harm. We have only to pass through these dark nights to see the rising Son of the Resurrection and life eternal.

Do we turn to God when we are scattered by fears, doubts, and worries? Do we welcome Him into our lives when He comes to gather us back into His flock? Are we willing to let Him lead us where we need to go?

O Lord, guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

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.

Fourth Friday in Ordinary Time

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust.

No matter what happens to us, if we trust in God, then we will have nothing to fear. If we are having financial difficulties, but trust in God, we will be taken care of. If we lose our health, but trust in God, we will make it through our troubles. If we lose a loved one, but trust in God, we will be at peace. If our enemies persecute and mock us, but we trust in God, then we will triumph over them. If we go through any sort of difficulties, but trust in God, we will survive them all. If we make God our Light and our salvation, we will have nothing to fear.

Do we put our trust in God in our most difficult times? How can we be at peace even in the midst of trials? What can we do to resist the war waged against us by evil in the world?

O Lord, with you at my side I have nothing to fear.

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.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are around him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

Sometimes God comes into our lives like a storm. He thunders and lightnings. and lets us know He is powerful, but He can also come in gentle and unseen ways. In whatever form He comes, He arrives to do one thing... to love us. He is just and good and wants what is best for us, even if we don't know what that is. Sometimes he comes as a storm to shake us and rouse us from a spiritual sleep. Other times He comes as a whisper of inspiration that guides us to a better life. No matter what, we should rejoice in His coming and in His staying with us always and everywhere we go.

Do our lives seem to be stormy lately? If so, then what might God be trying to show us through the lightning? Are we as equally open to the gentle whispers He sends us through the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, we are glad and rejoice at your coming into our lives.

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.

Seventeenth Thursday in Ordinary Time

I went down to the potter's house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done' says the LORD.

We are like clay and God is the potter. He gave us life, shape, and purpose. He has raised us up by His Own Hand and given us a role in His Divine Plan. It is not His fault if we are weak, if we lose our shape, if we waste the gifts and talents He has given us. And if we turn out badly, we should not be surprised when He takes hold of our lives, collapses them, and reforms them. He does this not to destroy or punish us, but to give us another chance to fulfill His Will. He opens new possibilities by closing old and abandoned ones. Yes, it is hard to have our lives shattered by trials and sufferings, but they are given to us for a reason. To help us to become better people. So, when we do suffer, let us not complain, but accept what has happened and reshape our lives in the mold of Jesus Christ who bore his cross so we might be cleansed of our imperfections and remade in the image and likeness of God.

Are we willing to let God reshape our lives? What areas of our lives have become misshapen by sin? How can we learn to keep our eyes open to new possibilities even in the midst of trials?

O Lord, mold us in your image.

Amen.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

No one is immune to suffering and weakness, especially the followers of Christ. As God tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” This revelation can be difficult to accept when we are going through trials and tribulations, mockery and persecution, and all manner of hardships. However, it is true. God’s Grace is always sufficient. He gives us exactly what we need to overcome our difficulties... perhaps not always in a physical way, but always in a spiritual one. At the same time, our weaknesses do indeed perfect our power, our gifts, and our talents because they remind us to be humble and depend upon God. Without our weaknesses, we would believe ourselves sufficient and turn away from God. And so, although we might not understand why a particular trouble should befall us, we should be able to understand our trials are not meant to break us, but to perfect us in faith, hope, and love.

What trials are we facing today? Have we called upon God’s Help in overcoming them? Are we willing to suffer them until the end of our days if doing so would be for the greatest service to God and others?

O Lord, your grace is truly sufficient for all of us.

Amen.

Twelfth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned upon the cherubim! You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made the heavens and the earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and listen! Open your eyes, O LORD, and see!

Hezekiah’s prayer is one we all can pray when we feel beset upon by trials, sufferings, and threats to our life. God isn’t deaf to us in our times of difficulty. He isn’t blind to us in our tribulations. He won’t abandon us to the wolves of the world. He will defend us against the wickedness and snares of the Devil and all those things that lead us into temptation and sin. If we trust He will protect us from harm, then He will defend us from all our enemies.

Do we turn to God when we are in difficulty or distress? How can we cultivate a spirit of trust in the Lord and His Divine Plan? Do we place God firmly in the center of our lives so He can protect us from evil?

O Lord, you alone can save us.

Amen.