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 Epiphany of the Lord

It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:  that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We are all coheirs in the promise of Christ Jesus. We are all members of the same body. The Three Wise Men came to the Christ child, led by a star and in hope of meeting the Messiah. They brought him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In the same way, we come to Christ, too, and give him our time, talents, and treasures. We know all our thoughts, words, and works find their source, center, and summit in God, who is our Father and our King. He has adopted us as His own children through the sacrifice of His Beloved Son and the love of the Holy Spirit.

Do we act like coheirs to the promise of Christ? What are we doing to be co-partners in God's Divine Plan of salvation? What gifts do we have to give to the King of Kings and our fellow children of God?

O Lord, make us co-partners in spreading the Good News.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song.

Serving the Lord can be difficult at times. With all the anxieties and worries of the world we can sometimes forget our call to service or put it on the back burner. Health, finances, relationships can all get in the way of our vocations. Thankfully, the greatest vocation is to love God and one another and no matter what is going on in our lives, we should always have time for great and small acts of love. It is through these works of charity and mercy that we truly proclaim the Good News. It is through them that we sing to God with joy, bringing gladness to the people around us.

How can we serve God more faithfully? What can we do to make more time for God and others in our lives? How can we spread gladness and joy to the people around us?

O Lord, we hope to know, love, and serve you with gladness.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.

All of creation resounds with joy before the Lord. From the sky to the earth, from the sun to the moon, from the birds in the air to the fish in the sea... everything that was created echoes the goodness of God. He created everything from His Word from the rivers to the mountains and all the living creatures of this world. Most amazing of all, He created us in His Own Image. He granted us free will and the ability to choose the good over the evil. He created us to love Him and each other and spread the Good News throughout the world.

Do our thoughts, words, and works resound with joy before the Lord? Do they bring joy to others? Do they spread the Good News?

O Lord, let us shout with joy before you so all who dwell in the world will know and love you as we do.

Amen.

Christmas Weekday

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

As Christians we should foster a spirit of joy throughout the year. We should constantly rejoice in our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior, our Holy Advocate. Each of these three persons in the Holy Trinity should be praised and thanked with happy hearts. We should delight in the love our Heavenly Father shows us each and every day. We should enjoy the presence of Jesus in the Word and in the Blessed Sacrament. We should be glad for all the inspirations and guidance we receive from the Holy Spirit. We are all marvelously blessed by our God and there should be no hesitation to sing praise to our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.

How do we celebrate the joys the Heavenly Father has give us? What about the joys of the Son? What about the joys of the Holy Spirit?

O Lord, we sing joyfully to you.

Amen.

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

The world around us should see the saving power of God reflected in us. Our thoughts, words, and works should mirror those of Christ so when others see us they should know we are Christians by our love. There should be no doubt about our faith, hope, and love when a person sees us in action. Our deeds, although not always wondrous or great, should sing to the Lord, giving Him praise for all He has done for us. Our lives should win victory for him in great and small things by revealing God’s Goodness through our acts of charity and mercy. Just as Jesus proclaimed the Good News through his holy life, so we should do the same.

Do our lives reflect the saving power of God? Do they proclaim the Good News and sign of God’s Glory? How can our acts of charity and mercy win victory for God in the hearts of others?

O Lord, we see your saving power and pray to become instruments of it for all.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

May God bless us in his mercy. May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.

We all need God’s pity and blessing. None of us are without sins and imperfections. None of us are strong enough to resist all temptation. God knows this and that is why He sent His Beloved Son to become one of us and offer himself as a sacrifice for our failings. It is God’s pity that brings us blessing, but it is God’s Love that brings us His pity. It is His Divine Love that makes His face shine upon us and leads us to salvation. Truly, we are blessed in His Mercy and we would do well to be merciful ourselves for we will be judged as we treated others, for good and ill. Better for us if our thoughts, words, and works are weighed more towards selflessness and good than toward selfishness and evil.

Do we thank God for His Mercy and Blessings? How can we be as merciful as God is toward us? Do our thoughts, words, and works make known God’s Way of Love to others?

O Lord, bless us in your mercy.

Amen.