Fourth Sunday of Lent

So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Think about what it means to be an ambassador for Christ. Just like a worldly ambassador, we have many responsibilities to our God and King. We act on His behalf through our thoughts, words, and works. We are His representatives to those around us... to our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. If we fail to live up to our duties, then we fail not only God but all those whom we were supposed to aid through our position. If we are corrupted or selfish, we give the world yet another reason to reject God. However, if we are true to our faith by spreading hope and love to all the nations, then we will become powerful testaments to God’s Goodness. We shall help others to be reconciled with God and guide them to salvation. We are all called to magnify the Lord in all things and help others to know God is With Us. It was for this that we were put on earth and hopefully we fulfill that purpose each and every day of our lives.

Are we good and faithful ambassadors for Christ? What are we doing to lead others to reconciliation and salvation? How can we manifest God’s Love for all and do all things with righteous hearts?

O Lord, we are your ambassadors send us where you will.

Amen.

Third Saturday of Lent

It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

God wants us to be merciful like Him. He wants us to be good like Him. He wants us to be compassionate like Him. He wants us to love like Him. He wants us to magnify Him for all the world through our thoughts, words, and works. All the almsgiving, prayer, and mortification in the world will avail us nothing if we don’t do it in His Spirit. We can do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. God wants us to do them for Him and Him alone. It isn’t easy choosing to be Christ-like. It is a hard and narrow path filled with hardship and suffering and sacrifice, but if we follow in God’s footsteps and accept our crosses, then we shall taste the goodness of the Lord and enjoy His Heavenly Feast for all eternity.

Are we merciful like God? Are we good and compassionate like Him? How can we magnify Him in all we think, do, and say?

O Lord, wash us from our guilt and sin so we will become merciful, good, and compassionate.

Amen.

Third Friday of Lent

I am the Lord your God: hear my voice. An unfamiliar speech I hear: “I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I rescued you.”

When we are in distress, God will rescue us. He will listen to our cries and come to our aid. He might not answer our petitions in the time and manner that we want, but He will give us the grace to overcome all our fears, doubts, pains, and obstacles. He will lead us to a better place, if not physically, at least spiritually. He will relieve us of our burdens and free us from our slavery to sin and worldly things. And ultimately, He will bring us out of bondage to a land flowing with the milk of His Divine Mercy and the honey of His Love.

What burdens are weighing us down? How can we free ourselves of all that is enslaving us to sin and the world? How can we help God rescue others from their difficulties?

O Lord, relieve us of our burdens and free us from our sins.

Amen.

Third Thursday of Lent

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

We are all in danger of hardening our hearts. Some harden all at once because of some event in their lives that turns them against God. Others harden over time corrupted by the world and its distractions, worries, and trials. We have to constantly soften our hearts, souls, and minds through acts of sacrifice, humility, and love. Without doing so, our fields dry up and it becomes difficult for goodness to grow. We cannot bear fruits if our souls are burned up on rocky ground. If we want to prosper, then we have to hear God’s Word, understand it, and then put it into practice. We have to bow down in worship and allow God to shepherd us to greener pastures.

What are the things in our lives that are hardening our hearts? How can we rid ourselves of these things? What can we do to soften our souls so they are receptive of the Word of God and allow the seeds of faith, hope, and love to grow within us?

O Lord, soften our hearts.

Amen.

Third Wednesday of Lent

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! He spreads snow like wool; frost he strews like ashes.

Each and every day we need to find time to praise God. It can be in little ways or great ways. It can be through how we treat others or how we treat ourselves. It can be through prayer, mortification, or almsgiving. It can be through acts of charity, mercy, or penance. Praising God can be done in many ways and at any time. A simple glance toward heaven in thanksgiving is sometimes all that is necessary to show our faith. A quick prayer of petition is all that we need to show our hope. A humble act of self-sacrifice can express our great love.

How often do we praise the Lord? What little or great ways can we show God that we are His loving children? What can we do to spread a love of God to others?

O Lord, we praise you for all you’ve done for us.

Amen.

Third Tuesday of Lent

Remember your mercies, O Lord. Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.

We can’t be taught if we don’t take the time to listen. We can’t be guided if we don’t accept the hand God offers us. We can’t ask for God’s Mercy, if we are not forgiving, too. All of these actions require some sort of sacrifice on our part. If we want to listen to God, then we have to sacrifice all those worldly things that keep us from listening to Him. If we want to be guided by our Heavenly Father, then we need to give up our willful pride and selfishness and trust that God knows what is best for us. If we want to be forgiven, then we must let go of our anger and pain and show compassion to those who trespass against us. None of these things are easy to do, but they are necessary if we want to have any hope of salvation.

How can we make more time to listen to the Lord? How can we become more child-like and dependent upon our Heavenly Father’s Will? How can we be more merciful to all of God’s children, especially those who are our enemies?

O Lord, make your ways known to us.

Amen.

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.”

Our minds, hearts, souls, and bodies should echo the words we hear in this psalm, “Here we are, Lord; we come to do your will.” The decision to let go of our will and choose to do God’s Will is one that shapes who we are. This is what Mary did when she said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” And these words should ever be on our lips, too. God wants our love, obedience, and good works and if we give Him these, then He will respond with His Love, Mercy, and Grace.

Are we doing God’s Will? How can we be more obedient to God’s commandments, teachings, and inspirations? What can we do to make our lives into living sacrifices of love for God and all His children?

O Lord, here we are, help us to do your will.

Amen.