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Gospel reading: Luke 2:16-21
"Today is a good day for taking stock...asking pardon for our omissions, and the lack of love that caused them, and a good occasion of thanksgiving for all the good things God has given us...Time represents the separation between the present and that moment when we stand before God with our hands either empty or full." (In Conversation with God, p. 277)
"'Short indeed is our life for loving, for giving, for making atonement. It is wrong therefore to waste it or irresponsibly throw out of the window such a great treasure.'" (In Conversation with God, quoting Jose Escriva, p. 278)
"Together with sorrow and thanksgiving, we resolve to love God and struggle to acquire virtues and get rid of our defects, as if next year were to be the last that God was going to give us." (p. 281)
The shepherds went in haste to see the newborn King. As Dcn Gerry said tonight, an encounter with the divine energized them. There was an urgency, a need to pursue what God put in them. God is stirring in our midst. Let us pursue the Lord in haste as He stirs within us.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Emmanuel -God is with us!
The grace that rests on this day is the grace to say Yes to the Lord -- the grace for union with Him.
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe I beseech thee, O my God to hear my pray and grant my desires through the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Please feel free to share the fruit of your prayer with us by clicking on the comment, below, or by email.
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe I beseech thee, O my God to hear my pray and grant my desires through the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Please feel free to share the fruit of your prayer with us by clicking on the comment, below, or by email.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
When the fullness of time had come...
Grace for the week: Pray for the grace to accept God's will
Readings for Thursday: Gal 4:4-7 & Luke 1:67-79
"'Tomorrow' is the Church's cry of faith as we look forward in joy to the coming of the Lord. Our faith is based on the promise of salvation kept in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; our faith is sustained by our annual remembrance of that mystery; our faith is deepened by the years of our preparation for Christ's coming in glory." from Magnificat Magazine p.55
"Our Lady encourages us, on this eve of her Son's birth, never to neglect prayer, which is conversation with Our Lord. Without prayer we are lost; with it we are strong and are able to carry out our tasks." -- from In Conversation with God, vol. 1 p.215
Readings for Thursday: Gal 4:4-7 & Luke 1:67-79
"'Tomorrow' is the Church's cry of faith as we look forward in joy to the coming of the Lord. Our faith is based on the promise of salvation kept in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; our faith is sustained by our annual remembrance of that mystery; our faith is deepened by the years of our preparation for Christ's coming in glory." from Magnificat Magazine p.55
"Our Lady encourages us, on this eve of her Son's birth, never to neglect prayer, which is conversation with Our Lord. Without prayer we are lost; with it we are strong and are able to carry out our tasks." -- from In Conversation with God, vol. 1 p.215
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Light
Grace for the week: Pray for the grace to accept God's will.
Reading: Psalm 25
A little child is born for us, and he shall be called the mighty God; every race on earth shall be blessed in him. (Is 9:6; Ps 71:17)
John, the last great prophet, is the lamp, but Jesus Christ is the morning star for which the dark world yearns in hope. Magnificat p. 43
The daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Lk 1: 78-79)
Reading: Psalm 25
A little child is born for us, and he shall be called the mighty God; every race on earth shall be blessed in him. (Is 9:6; Ps 71:17)
John, the last great prophet, is the lamp, but Jesus Christ is the morning star for which the dark world yearns in hope. Magnificat p. 43
The daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Lk 1: 78-79)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
He remembered His promise
Grace for the week: Pray for the grace to accept God's will
Readings: Luke 1:46-56
The Almighty has done great things for us...because He remembered His promise to our fathers.
Readings: Luke 1:46-56
The Almighty has done great things for us...because He remembered His promise to our fathers.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Trusting
Grace for week 4: Pray for the grace to accept God's will.
Readings for Monday: Luke 1:39-45
When we trust the Lord, like Mary, it enables us to obey more readily. "Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." (Lk 1:45)
Readings for Monday: Luke 1:39-45
When we trust the Lord, like Mary, it enables us to obey more readily. "Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." (Lk 1:45)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Peace
Grace for week 4: Pray for the grace to accept God's will.
Readings for Sunday: Hebrews 10:5-10
Mary accepted God's will because she trusted Him. In that, she had peace and joy. In His will is peace and joy. Outside of His will, there is no peace or joy
This is a good rule of discernment. Where there is lack of peace consider whether you are outside of God's will. As Micah says "he shall be peace."(Micah 5:4)
Readings for Sunday: Hebrews 10:5-10
Mary accepted God's will because she trusted Him. In that, she had peace and joy. In His will is peace and joy. Outside of His will, there is no peace or joy
This is a good rule of discernment. Where there is lack of peace consider whether you are outside of God's will. As Micah says "he shall be peace."(Micah 5:4)
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Waiting...
Grace for week 3: Pray for the grace to rejoice in all things.
Readings for Saturday: Luke 1:5-25
Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous and waited a long time for a child. They waited beyond rational hope -- and the Lord heard their prayer. "By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust your strength lies." Is 30:15
Readings for Saturday: Luke 1:5-25
Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous and waited a long time for a child. They waited beyond rational hope -- and the Lord heard their prayer. "By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust your strength lies." Is 30:15
Friday, December 18, 2009
Purity of heart
Grace for week 3: Pray for the grace to rejoice in all things.
Readings for Friday: Matthew 1: 18-25
"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man...did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him..." He is a model of obedience and purity.
"Holy purity produces rich fruit in the soul. It enlarges the heart and helps in the normal growth of the affections. It gives rise to deep internal happiness even in the midst of obstacles." -- from In Conversation with God, vol 1, p.171
"On the other hand, impurity gives rise to insensitivity of heart, to mediocrity and selfishness. It makes a person incapable of real love and produces in the soul all the necessary conditions for it to germinate like weedy growths and nurture every kind of vice and unfaithfulness. Don't forget that when someone is corrupted by concupiscence of the flesh, he cannot make any spiritual progress. He is unable to do good works. He is a spiritual cripple, fit to be cast aside like an old rag. -- J. Escriva"
--for further discussion see In Conversation with God, p. 172
Readings for Friday: Matthew 1: 18-25
"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man...did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him..." He is a model of obedience and purity.
"Holy purity produces rich fruit in the soul. It enlarges the heart and helps in the normal growth of the affections. It gives rise to deep internal happiness even in the midst of obstacles." -- from In Conversation with God, vol 1, p.171
"On the other hand, impurity gives rise to insensitivity of heart, to mediocrity and selfishness. It makes a person incapable of real love and produces in the soul all the necessary conditions for it to germinate like weedy growths and nurture every kind of vice and unfaithfulness. Don't forget that when someone is corrupted by concupiscence of the flesh, he cannot make any spiritual progress. He is unable to do good works. He is a spiritual cripple, fit to be cast aside like an old rag. -- J. Escriva"
--for further discussion see In Conversation with God, p. 172
Thursday, December 17, 2009
John believed.
Grace for week 3: Pray for the grace to rejoice in all things.
Readings for Thursday: Luke 7: 18-23
In prison, John the Baptist was puzzled at what was happening. He looked to Jesus for an answer. When John sent his desciples to Jesus to ask if he was the messiah or should they look for another, Jesus pointed to the evidence.
Like John we need to look at the evidence and then make an act of faith.
Taken from a homily on 12/16/09 byFather Pat Egan, Chaplain of Domino Farms.
Readings for Thursday: Luke 7: 18-23
In prison, John the Baptist was puzzled at what was happening. He looked to Jesus for an answer. When John sent his desciples to Jesus to ask if he was the messiah or should they look for another, Jesus pointed to the evidence.
Like John we need to look at the evidence and then make an act of faith.
Taken from a homily on 12/16/09 byFather Pat Egan, Chaplain of Domino Farms.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Blessed is he...
Grace for week 3: Pray for the grace to rejoice in all things
Reading for Wednesday: Luke 7:18-23
"Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." (Lk 7:23)
If you feel offended by someone, realize that you took the offense, that you took the bait.* While it is true someone may do something you dislike, you need not take the offense.
See Me hidden in every event of your day.
*See Bait of Satan, by John Bevere.
Reading for Wednesday: Luke 7:18-23
"Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." (Lk 7:23)
If you feel offended by someone, realize that you took the offense, that you took the bait.* While it is true someone may do something you dislike, you need not take the offense.
See Me hidden in every event of your day.
*See Bait of Satan, by John Bevere.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Blessing and restoration
Grace for week 3: Pray for the grace to rejoice in all things
Reading for Tuesday: Zephaniah 3:1-12 and Matthew 21:28-32
The Zephaniah reading is a promise of blessing and restoration, especially among "the poor and the powerless who seek the Lord in poverty of heart" (Magnificat, p. 198).
"Who will truly welcome God's reign when it comes? Not those who pay lip service to God's will, says Jesus, but those who truly carry it out. Obedience to God is our best preparation for the coming of Christ. Advent is not a spectator sport but a way of life in sevice of the Gospel." (Magnificat p.206)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
Reading for Tuesday: Zephaniah 3:1-12 and Matthew 21:28-32
The Zephaniah reading is a promise of blessing and restoration, especially among "the poor and the powerless who seek the Lord in poverty of heart" (Magnificat, p. 198).
"Who will truly welcome God's reign when it comes? Not those who pay lip service to God's will, says Jesus, but those who truly carry it out. Obedience to God is our best preparation for the coming of Christ. Advent is not a spectator sport but a way of life in sevice of the Gospel." (Magnificat p.206)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
Monday, December 14, 2009
God is for us
Grace for week 3: Pray for the grace to rejoice in all things
Reading for Monday (feast of St. John of the Cross): Psalm 46 & Gal 6:14
"In his exploration of the movement through the dark night of the soul to union with God, Saint John used the imagery of a house grown still and silent to describe the soul so centered in God by prayer that it is free to leave self behind and become absorbed in the presence of the promised Prince of Peace. From this inward stillness flows the outward peace for which the world longs."
-- from Magnificat Magazine December 2009, p. 186
Reading for Monday (feast of St. John of the Cross): Psalm 46 & Gal 6:14
"In his exploration of the movement through the dark night of the soul to union with God, Saint John used the imagery of a house grown still and silent to describe the soul so centered in God by prayer that it is free to leave self behind and become absorbed in the presence of the promised Prince of Peace. From this inward stillness flows the outward peace for which the world longs."
-- from Magnificat Magazine December 2009, p. 186
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Rejoice, He is coming soon!
Grace for week 3: Pray for the grace to rejoice in all things
Reading for Sunday: Zephaniah 3:14-18
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exalt o earth. Break forth O mountains into singing, for our Lord is coming! In his days, justice and peace shall flourish. Ps 71:7
"We shall be full of joy if Our Lord is really present in our life, if we have not lost him, if we have not allowed our sight to be clouded by tepidity or lack of generosity...To find Christ, and to remain in his company, is to possess a deep happiness which is new every day."
--In Conversation with God, page 112-113
Reading for Sunday: Zephaniah 3:14-18
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exalt o earth. Break forth O mountains into singing, for our Lord is coming! In his days, justice and peace shall flourish. Ps 71:7
"We shall be full of joy if Our Lord is really present in our life, if we have not lost him, if we have not allowed our sight to be clouded by tepidity or lack of generosity...To find Christ, and to remain in his company, is to possess a deep happiness which is new every day."
--In Conversation with God, page 112-113
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Hunger for Holiness
Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Saturday: Zechariah 2:14-17
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pope John Paul II asked her to "intercede with the Lord that He may instill a hunger for holiness in the whole people of God."
"When we are examining our consciences, our aim is to discover whether that day we have fulfilled the will of God and carried out what was expected of us, or whether we have followed our own will...We have to see if we filled the day with the love of God, or if, unhappily, we have let it remain empty for all eternity."
--In Conversation with God, Vol 1, page 108
Reading for Saturday: Zechariah 2:14-17
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pope John Paul II asked her to "intercede with the Lord that He may instill a hunger for holiness in the whole people of God."
"When we are examining our consciences, our aim is to discover whether that day we have fulfilled the will of God and carried out what was expected of us, or whether we have followed our own will...We have to see if we filled the day with the love of God, or if, unhappily, we have let it remain empty for all eternity."
--In Conversation with God, Vol 1, page 108
Friday, December 11, 2009
Determine to Struggle - Never Give Up
Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Friday: Rev 3:14-22
"But if the Christian allows his love to grow cold, if he allows self-satisfied mediocrity to creep into his soul, then he will develop that serious spiritual illness...tepidity...which drains all love and meaning from his life.His mind and heart become, as it were, blind and deaf."
"God always forgives; but we must get up, repent, and go to confession whenever it is necessary. A deep, incomparable joy will come from beginning again and again."
-- In Conversation with God", Vol 1, p 98 and 102
Reading for Friday: Rev 3:14-22
"But if the Christian allows his love to grow cold, if he allows self-satisfied mediocrity to creep into his soul, then he will develop that serious spiritual illness...tepidity...which drains all love and meaning from his life.His mind and heart become, as it were, blind and deaf."
"God always forgives; but we must get up, repent, and go to confession whenever it is necessary. A deep, incomparable joy will come from beginning again and again."
-- In Conversation with God", Vol 1, p 98 and 102
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Fear not, I will help you
Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Thursday: Isaiah 41:13-20; Matthew 11: 1-15
"Our love for Our Lord will express itself in constantly beginning again, as we renew our daily efforts not to be overcome by the love of comfort and laziness, which are always lying in wait for us. The devil sleepeth not, neither yet is the flesh as yet dead; therefore cease not to prepare thyself for the battle; for on thy right hand and on thy left are enemies who never rest...Our guardian angel will give us invaluble help if only we ask him."
"Let us ask Our Lady for the grace never to abandon our interior struggle."
--In Conversation with God Vol I page 91 & 93.
Reading for Thursday: Isaiah 41:13-20; Matthew 11: 1-15
"Our love for Our Lord will express itself in constantly beginning again, as we renew our daily efforts not to be overcome by the love of comfort and laziness, which are always lying in wait for us. The devil sleepeth not, neither yet is the flesh as yet dead; therefore cease not to prepare thyself for the battle; for on thy right hand and on thy left are enemies who never rest...Our guardian angel will give us invaluble help if only we ask him."
"Let us ask Our Lady for the grace never to abandon our interior struggle."
--In Conversation with God Vol I page 91 & 93.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Renew Your Strength
Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Tuesday: Is 40:25-31
"The greatest tragedy in any man's life is sin, because the result of sin is a far-reaching disorder which starts in the very center of his being and spreads outward to affect all those around him. In the Sacrament of Penance Our Lord sorts out all those misplaced elements; in addition to pardoning the sins he restores to the soul its lost order and harmony...
A well-made confession brings much good to all those who live and work with us...Not only that, but when a Christian goes to Confession, the whole Church receives an incalculable benefit."
--(from In Conversation With God, vol 1, page 77)
Penance services are coming. Take the opportunity to prepare your hearts for a good confession this Advent--and make all of heaven rejoice.
Reading for Tuesday: Is 40:25-31
"The greatest tragedy in any man's life is sin, because the result of sin is a far-reaching disorder which starts in the very center of his being and spreads outward to affect all those around him. In the Sacrament of Penance Our Lord sorts out all those misplaced elements; in addition to pardoning the sins he restores to the soul its lost order and harmony...
A well-made confession brings much good to all those who live and work with us...Not only that, but when a Christian goes to Confession, the whole Church receives an incalculable benefit."
--(from In Conversation With God, vol 1, page 77)
Penance services are coming. Take the opportunity to prepare your hearts for a good confession this Advent--and make all of heaven rejoice.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Tuesday: Luke 1:26-38
The grace that preserved Mary from sin is the same grace that redeems us.
Reading for Tuesday: Luke 1:26-38
The grace that preserved Mary from sin is the same grace that redeems us.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Healing and Forgiveness
Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Monday: Luke 5:17-26.
True friends bring their crippled friend to the Lord and don't we all have areas where we are crippled by the pain of disappointment, of disapproval, of rejection, of loneliness?
Reading for Monday: Luke 5:17-26.
True friends bring their crippled friend to the Lord and don't we all have areas where we are crippled by the pain of disappointment, of disapproval, of rejection, of loneliness?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Prepare the Way of the Lord
Grace for week 2: Pray for the grace to make straight his paths.
Reading for Sunday: Baruch 5:1-9.
Look to God. For God will show...named by God...the glory of God...remembered by God...God will...God has...God is.
Reading for Sunday: Baruch 5:1-9.
Look to God. For God will show...named by God...the glory of God...remembered by God...God will...God has...God is.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The Mission
Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Saturday: Matthew 9:35-10:8 Jesus went to all the towns and villages teaching...and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom.
Pray for the grace to wake from sleep. Why? Because the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Reading for Saturday: Matthew 9:35-10:8 Jesus went to all the towns and villages teaching...and proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom.
Pray for the grace to wake from sleep. Why? Because the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Increasing Our Faith
Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Friday: Matt 9:27-31.
"Do you believe...?" Do you believe that God can do what you're asking Him to do? Do you believe? Do you believe that He can bring that relative into relationship with Him, find you another job or a new home? Heal your sick child or friend? Can He make the blind to see?
Faith comes to full stature when it's challenged. When things go well, there is no need. It's in the darkness that light has a purpose. It's in the un-knowing that trust is born.
Reading for Friday: Matt 9:27-31.
"Do you believe...?" Do you believe that God can do what you're asking Him to do? Do you believe? Do you believe that He can bring that relative into relationship with Him, find you another job or a new home? Heal your sick child or friend? Can He make the blind to see?
Faith comes to full stature when it's challenged. When things go well, there is no need. It's in the darkness that light has a purpose. It's in the un-knowing that trust is born.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Listen -- and Obey
Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Thursday: Matthew 7:21-27
"All those who listen to Christ's words become rock-solid in their life. Because his Word is life. The Lord himself is an eternal Rock. When we trust him, that is, when we are attentive and obedient to his Word as opposed to our own ideas, feelings, and preoccupations, we are given the "firm purpose" we crave that keeps us in peace." (from Magnificat Magazine, Thursday, Dec 3, introduction to the Mass)
Reading for Thursday: Matthew 7:21-27
"All those who listen to Christ's words become rock-solid in their life. Because his Word is life. The Lord himself is an eternal Rock. When we trust him, that is, when we are attentive and obedient to his Word as opposed to our own ideas, feelings, and preoccupations, we are given the "firm purpose" we crave that keeps us in peace." (from Magnificat Magazine, Thursday, Dec 3, introduction to the Mass)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Expectancy
Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Reading for Wednesday: Matthew 15:29-37
The crowds brought the lame and the sick to Jesus, expecting Him to cure them. And He did. What do we expect for ourselves? What do we expect from this Advent? God is mercy. Meditate on the life of Jesus to learn of his mercy -- and to let his mercy transform you.
Reading for Wednesday: Matthew 15:29-37
The crowds brought the lame and the sick to Jesus, expecting Him to cure them. And He did. What do we expect for ourselves? What do we expect from this Advent? God is mercy. Meditate on the life of Jesus to learn of his mercy -- and to let his mercy transform you.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Do not be afraid
Grace for week 1: Pray for the grace to wake from sleep.
Tuesday reading: Luke 1:26-38
"There are thus two kinds of peace: that which men can make for themselves alone, and that which is the gift of God.... Insofar as we realize that we are children of God, we will be men and women with lasting peace...Let us try then, in these days of Advent, to foster peace and joy, overcoming every obstacle. Let us learn to find God in everything, even in the most difficult situations. 'Seek his face Who ever dwells in real and bodily presence in his Church. Do at least as much as the disciples did. They had but little faith; they feared; they had no great confidence or peace, but at least they did not keep away from Christ...Do not keep from him, but, when you are in trouble, come to him day by day, asking him earnestly and perseveringly for those favors which he alone can give...So, though he discerns much infirmity in you which ought not to be there, yet he will deign to rebuke the winds and the sea, and say "Peace, be still." And there will be great calm.'"
(from In Conversation with God, 1st week of Advent, Tuesday -- also quoting J.H. Neuman)
Tuesday reading: Luke 1:26-38
"There are thus two kinds of peace: that which men can make for themselves alone, and that which is the gift of God.... Insofar as we realize that we are children of God, we will be men and women with lasting peace...Let us try then, in these days of Advent, to foster peace and joy, overcoming every obstacle. Let us learn to find God in everything, even in the most difficult situations. 'Seek his face Who ever dwells in real and bodily presence in his Church. Do at least as much as the disciples did. They had but little faith; they feared; they had no great confidence or peace, but at least they did not keep away from Christ...Do not keep from him, but, when you are in trouble, come to him day by day, asking him earnestly and perseveringly for those favors which he alone can give...So, though he discerns much infirmity in you which ought not to be there, yet he will deign to rebuke the winds and the sea, and say "Peace, be still." And there will be great calm.'"
(from In Conversation with God, 1st week of Advent, Tuesday -- also quoting J.H. Neuman)
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