12.31.12

Lectio: LK 2.16-21

Meditatio: "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." Lk 2.19

Oratio: "O God, You know how important mothers are to their children.

I remember You gave Mary as the mother for Your Son and Mary gave Him a mother’s love throughout His life.

Grant that I may be ever grateful to You for giving me my mother and for giving me a double blessing as Mary my mother by grace.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the

Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "reflecting"; pondering; Mary didn’t brag about the events in her life but simple pondered them to discern their meaning and to keep these events alive in the memory of the church for its edification. In prayer may I spend quality time periodically reflecting the great events in salvation history and imitate Mary’s role of doing the will of the Father.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.19-28

1230.12

Lectio: 1 Jn 2.18-21
Meditatio: "But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy one, and you all have knowledge." 1 Jn 2.20

Oratio: "O God, You always looked after us and provided means for us to know You and love You.

I remember You sent Your prophets of old and then Your only Son so that we would have Your Spirit and come to know and love You.
Grant that I may be ever grateful for the anointing with Your Spirit at my baptism and always walk in His light.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the

Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "anointing"; a solemn blessing with oils; Chrism at Baptism, symbolizes the blessing with the Holy Spirit; in prayer ask for a faith that is enlivened with the Holy Spirit and live such a faith so that I may give honor and glory to my God.
Tomorrow's reading: LK 2.16-21

12.29.12
Lectio: 1 Sm 1.20-22, 24-28
Meditatio: "I [Hannah] prayed for this child [Samuel], and the Lord granted my request." 1 Sm 1.27

Oratio: "O God, You listen and answer our prayers.

I remember You answered the prayer of Hannah and she conceived and gave birth to a son.
Grant that I may imitate her gratitude and give Your gifts back to You in service.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the

Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "prayer"; lifting up of the mind and heart to God; formal or informal - both our effective; and ask for the grace to realize that I should pray with the attitude that all depend on You and work as though all depends on me and always give thanks for the gifts You bestow on me and for the grace to use my gifts in service.

12.28.12

Lectio:1 Jn 1.2.3-11

  Meditatio: "Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in darkness."
1 Jn 2.9

Oratio: "O God, You have given us the light to live rightly in this life and which lights up our path to You.

 

I remember You gave us Your Son and His message to live by which not only lights up the paths of this life but the path back to You.
Grant that I may live in accord with the light of Your Son.


I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the

Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "light...darkness"; truth...false; intellectual and moral light and darkness; in prayer thank God for giving us the light of His Son and to live in accordance with the great Law of Love that he proclaimed.

Tomorrow's reading: Sir 3.2-6

12.27.12

Lectio:1 Jn 1.5-2.2
Meditatio: "If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing." 1 Jn 1.9

Oratio: "O God, You created us for You but our sinfulness makes us unworthy to be in Your presence - but You provided a remedy!

I remember Your Son became one of us so that Him our sinare are not only forgiven but we are cleansed and granted fellowship with You - How kind and merciful!
Grant that I may be always mindful of Your great mercy and when I have the misfortune to sin, to immediately turn to Your Son and seek forgiveness.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the

Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "cleansed"; wiped clean; purified; our trespasses forgiven and forgotten; in prayer thank God for being so kind and merciful and for the grace to live in accordance with His will with joy and not in trembling - knowing my humanity has a redeemer,

Tomorrow's reading: 1 Jn 2.3-11

12.26.12

Lectio: 1 Jn 1-4
Meditatio: "What we have seen and heard, we proclaim now to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his son, Jesus Christ."
1 Jn 1.3

Oratio: "O God, You know the importance of eye witnesses to that which is at the heart of our faith and You gave us them.

I remember first You sent Your Son to give witness to the new covenant and then He in turn gave us Apostles who were eyewitnesses to His public ministry and some of whom recorded what they witnessed for the benefit of posterity.
Grant that I may have the grace to accept their testimony so that I may have fellowship with them and with You.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the

Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.


Operatio: reflect on "fellowship"; a sharing in the life with the Father and the Son according to the commentary of this passage; in prayer thank God for the eyewitness accounts of His Son’s public ministry that He has provided to us so that we might more easily come to faith and in turn share in His life and the life of Jesus; and may this sharing lead to active life of faith in the here and the now.

Tomorrow's reading: 1 Jn 1.5-2.2

12.25.12

Lectio: Acts 6.8-10, 7.54-59

Meditatio: "As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’." Acts 10.59

Oratio: "O God, You are the great Giver and all You ask in return is our love.

I remember one of the first deacons, Stephen, showed his great love for You by accepting martyrdom out of love for Your Son’s word.

Grant that I may show my gratitude to You for all You do for me by being a person of love for others.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "my spirit"; my soul, my life principle; in prayer ask for the grace for today and everyday for a heat full of love, for God, for others and for self and offer such a heart to God for all He does for me and for my loved ones.

Tomorrow's reading: 1 Jn 1-4

P,.S. May all have a very happy Christmas; and may the love of the Christ child be felt by you and all those who are near and dear to you, not only today, but everyday.

A very happy and holy Christmas!

12.24.12

Lectio: Is 14. 9.1-6



Meditatio: "They name him Wonder-Counsellor, God-Hero, Father Forever, Prince of Peace." Is 9.5b

Oratio: "O God, You did not send anyone to save us - You sent us Your only Son!

 

I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, said of Him that He would be a wonderful counsellor, our God and Father and the source of our Peace.

Grant that I may be ever grateful to Your Son for coming among us so that one day we can come among You.
Iask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "Prince of Peace"; a great source, a royal source, a divine source of right relationships among people and among nations. In prayer thank God for our Morning Star, the Dawn from on High, our Wonder-Counsellor, our Hero, our Father, our Source of Peace; and seek the grace to accept His yoke for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Tomorrow's reading: Acts 6.8-10, 7.54-59

12.23.12

Lectio: 2 Sm 7.1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
   

Meditatio: "[Davie] Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me. Your throne shall stand firm forever." 2 Sm 16

Oratio: "O God, You promised Kind David and everlasting kingdom - and You kept Your promise!

I remember Your prophet, Nathan, told King David of Your promise and You sent Your Son in the fullness of time to bring about an everlasting kingdom in the line of King Davie.

Grant that I may rejoice in the traditions of my faith and be ever grateful that Your Son reigns forever over us.

I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "forever"; unending; eternal; Jesus is the Son of David under the Jewish law of patrimony; in prayer thank God for sending His Son and for the grace to always accept His rule over me for He is truly our King and our Savior.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 14. 9.1-6

12.22.12

Lectio: Mi 5.1-4a
                                                                                                                     
Meditatio: "But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah. From you shall come forth for me one who is to be the ruler of Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times." Mi 5.1

Oratio: "O God, You promise and You keep Your promises.

I remember Your prophet, Micah, foretold that the savior of Israel and indeed of the whole world, would come forth from Bethlehem and 600 years later He did.
Grant that I may rest secure in Your promise that we will rise again because Your Son has promised we would if we believe in Him.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "Bethlehem"; Christ’s birthplace; very small place then; and a small place today but the birthplace of our Savior; in prayer thank God for sending His Son to save us and for the grace to accept His Son’s call to reform our lives in accordance with the great law of Love.
Tomorrow's reading: Is 62.1-5

12.21.12

Lectio: 1 Sm 1.24-28
Meditatio: "Now I [Hannah], in turn, give him [Samuel] to the Lord: as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord’." 1 Sm 1.28a

Oratio: "O God, You gave us so much and many of our mothers have emulated Your giving in a very human and most generous ways throughout the ages.

I remember, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, gave him, her only child, to You, to serve the needs of the Temple. How generous of her! How generous of You to give us such a role model!


Grant that I may be a generous giver, like You, and like my mother, for such generosity is a
source of great pleasure to You.

I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "dedicated"; set aside for a specific role; the many priests whose mother’s weaned them and gave them over to Your service, whether in active ministry or in prayerful ministry; in prayer thank God for the many mothers who gave their sons to You in service and may You bless all of them and their sons all their days.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 62.1-5

12.20.12

Lectio: Sg 2.8-14
Meditatio: "My lover [God], speaks to me, ‘Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come’!" Sg 2.10

Oratio: "O God, You love us with an everlasting love!

I remember in the Song of Songs, You are described as ‘lover’ and we are described as ‘beloved’, and ‘beautiful’ - what endearing terms!
Grant that I may never presume on Your love and bask always in it and love You the best I can.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "lover"; one who seeks the good of the other for the other’s sake and not for what one gets out of it; in prayer thank God for loving me so and seek the grace to return that love to the best of my ability by striving to live in accordance with the great law of love.
Tomorrow's reading: 1 Sm 1.24-28

12.19.12

Lectio: Is 7.10-14
Meditatio: "Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and have a son, and shall name him, Immanuel." Is 7.14

Oratio: "O God, You do not leave us alone when we are discouraged or feel abandoned.

I remember when Judah was oppressed, You gave Your chosen people a sign of Your being there for them and a sign that was also let us know You are there for all of us throughout the ages - a virgin with child!
Grant that I may be ever grateful to Your Son for coming amongst us as one of us and being with us forever in the Eucharist.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "Immanuel"; "with us is God"; in prayer sign joyfully the song: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"; and seek the grace to always abide by His saving words.

Tomorrow's reading: Sg 2.8-14

12.17.12

Lectio: Jgs 13.2-7,24-25a
Meditatio: "An angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, ‘Though your are barren and have had no children, you will conceive and bear a son’." Jgs 13.3

Oratio: "O God, You always care for us even when we do not care for you.

I remember You caused Samson to be born of a barren woman for he would be the one who would lead captive Israel in their time of great need. all peoples.
Grant that I may be eternally grateful for the greatest One You caused to be conceived in the womb of Mary; and for the grace to bask win the fruits of His coming.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "angel": a pure spirit; good and bad ones; the good ones are messengers from God to us and also are guardians of us; in prayer thank God for our guardian angel and for the grace to always listen to our angels promptings.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 7.10-14

12.16.12

Lectio: Jer 23.5-8                   
Meditatio: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David." Jer 23.5a

Oratio: "O God, You did not abandon Your chosen people even though they abandoned You for other gods.

I remember your prophet, Jeremiah, proclaimed that You would raise up the Messiah from the House of David, for their good and for the good of all peoples.
Grant that I may never take Your Son for granted but give Him the duty and love He rightly deserves.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "righteous": to be in right relationship with God, self and others; in prayer seek the grace to live the life to which Jesus calls us; a life of selfless love.
Tomorrow's reading: Jgs 13.2-7,24-25a

12.15.12

Lectio: Gn 49.2, 8-10                   
Meditatio: "The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs." Gn 49.10

Oratio: "O God, Your patriarchs of old were also signs for us.

I remember Jacob foretold that the Judah, the symbol for Your Son, would reign forever.
Grant that I may always hold Your Patriarchs in reverence as they are also Your sings for us and meant to help us on our journey back to You.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "mace"; a powerful and bludgeon type of weapon; a symbol of invincible power; a sign that Christ will rule forever; in prayer ask for the grace to seek the Lord at all times especially in those times when I am weak; knowing that He is all-powerful and He will protect me from eternal harm.
Tomorrow's reading: Jer 23.5-8

12.14/12

Lectio: Zep 3.14-18a                   
Meditatio: "The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love. He will sing joyfully because of you." Zep 3.17

Oratio: "O God, You do not abandon us even though we abandon You.

I remember Your prophet, Zephaniah, declared that You relented of Your punishment of the chosen people and You came to them singing joyfully and renewed them in Your love - wow!
Grant that I may rejoice always in this vale of tears knowing Your Son came for us and Your Holy Spirit remains with us to bring us Your joy and our salvation.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "rejoice"; a feeling that arises from the heart; "Gaudette" in Latin; the name given to the Third Sunday of Advent for rejoice is the theme of its readings for our Savior has drawn near; in prayer thank God for the great joy of our salvation through His Son and for the grace to live in accordance with Your will so that one day You will bring us to everlasting joy!

Tomorrow's reading: Gn 49.2, 8-10

12.14.12

Lectio: Sir 48.1-4, 9-11                   
Meditatio: "You [Elijah] were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses." Sir 48.9

Oratio: "O God, You did not leave us on our own to find our way back to You - but You sent Your prophets and finally Your Son to us.

I remember Your prophet, Elijah, was one of the most powerful of Your prophets of old and You allowed him to be taken up to heaven without dying and before many witnesses - how awesome! How great a sign for the people to believe what he had said and what Elisha, his successor would have to say!
Grant that I may realize that the Church is Your prophetic voice today and for the grace to always listen to what She has to say.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "taken aloft"; rising to the heavens; resurrection; Elijah’s rising to God; in prayer thank God for sending His Son so that we, too, will have resurrection and eternal life for He has declared to us that all who believe in Him will never die; and seek the grace to live in accordance with His decrees which are capsulized in the great Law of Love.
Tomorrow's reading: Zep 3.14-18a

12.13.12

Lectio: : Is 48.7-19                   
Meditatio: "Their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence." Is 46.19b

Oratio: "O God, You have provided us with clear guidance for our return to You.

I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, declared that if we keep Your commandments, our names will never be cut off from You - how generous and kind of You!
Grant that I may live in accordance with Your commandments so that I may one day dwell with You in Your presence and remain there forever.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "blotted out"; removed without trace; in prayer thank God for loving me so and seek always the grace to live in accordance with the great law of love so as to please my God.
Tomorrow's reading: Sir 48.1-4, 9-11

12.12.12

Lectio: : Is 41.13-20

Meditatio: "The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain, their tongues are parched with thirst." Is 41.17

Oratio: "O God, You are always there for us even in our darkest hours.

I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, declared to the Jewish people in exile that you would not forsake them - and You did not!

Grant that no matter how dark the day that I may always realize and rejoice that You are there for me and will see me through.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "forsake"; abandon, cast off; in prayer thank God that He never abandons us even when we abandon Him and always place myself under His loving care.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 48.17-19

12.11.12

Lectio: Rev 11.19a, 12.1-6a, 10ab



Meditatio: "a great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Rev 12.1

Oratio: "O God, from of old and even unto today You provide signs so that our faith might be reinforced.

I remember You gave us the sign of Your mother’s miraculous imprint on the tunic of Juan Diego in 1531 which can still be seen today to bring to faith the Mexican people; and indeed all people who have viewed or heard of it.

Grant that whenever doubts about my fath creep into my mind that I may readily remember our Lady’s many appearance including at Guadalupe and at Fatima, so that my doubts will be easily dismissed.

I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "woman clothed in the sun"; the image of our Blessed Mother’s on Juan Diego’s tunic. In prayer thank our Blessed Mother for always being there for us to reinforce our belief in her Son’s message.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 41.13-20

12.10.12
Lectio: Is 40.1-11
 
Meditatio: "Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs carrying them close to his bosom, and leading the ewes with care." Is 40.11

Oratio: "O God, what a wonderful and true image the prophet, Isaiah, gave of You!

I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, declared that You were like a shepherd with the lambs in Your arms and the ewes following You - what a tender and loving picture!
Grant that I may always keep in mind that You are the Good Shepherd and for the grace to follow You wherever You lead me.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "shepherd"; overseer; leader; guardian; protector of a flock; in prayer thank God for being the Good Shepherd for all of us and for the grace to readily and always heed His voice.
Tomorrow's reading: Is Zec 2.14-17

12.09.12

Lectio: Is 35.1-10 
Meditatio: "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared."
Is 35.5

Oratio: "O God, You wanted us to know that are redemption was at hand and You gave us clear signs.

I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, declared that when our deliverance is at hand the blind would see and the deaf would hear - and so it came to pass when Your Son emptied Himself of His divinity and came among us.
Grant that I may be always grateful to Your Son’s public ministry of Good News and healings which clearly demonstrated His authority to declare our redemption was at hand.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "eyes...opened"; Jesus on several occasions cured the blind so that their sight was restored among whom Bartimeaus readily comes to mind; in prayer thank Jesus for coming down from heaven to us so that we may ascend to heaven by our responding to the His call to reform our lives and we will be with our God and our loved ones forever.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 40.1-11

12.08.12

Lectio: Bar 5.1-9Meditatio: "For God has commanded that every mountain be made low. And the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground." Bar 5.7

Oratio: "O God, You know us and You know are tendencies to go to the extremes.

I remember Your Baruch, the secretary to Your prophet, Jeremiah, wrote that the mountains are to be made level and the valleys filled in - a euphemism for eliminating the vices in one’s life and replacing them with virtues.
Grant that I may anticipate Your destiny for me by living in peace and harmony now.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "mountain...low; ...gorges...filled."; These represented the highs and lows of Israel’s life; times of over-confidence and times of despair, times of prosperity and times of poverty; times of zeal and times of apathy; these were extremes and spiritual gurus tells us that extremes are were vice lies while the middle or the flat or level is where virtue lies and that is what God wants from all of us. In prayer seek the grace to replace obsessions, vices with acceptance and with virtues.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 35.1-10

P.S. My retreat was a good one and I remembered all in my prayers.

12.03.12

Lectio: Is 11. 1-10 
Meditatio: "There shall be no harm or ruin in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea." Is 11.9

Oratio: "O God, what a destiny You have in store for us!

I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, proclaimed that in the end there will be ‘no ruin or harm’ for all will be immersed in Your ways.
Grant that I may anticipate Your destiny for me by living in peace and harmony now.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "water covers the sea"; complete immersion; in God’s ways; in prayer thank God for being so wonderful and seek the grace of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and then live by them for that is the best way of doing my part in the present to please my loving God.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 25.6-10a

12.02.12

Lectio: Is 2.1-5 Meditatio: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks." Is 2.4b

Oratio: "O God, Your ways are justice and peace - but often they are not our ways.

I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, proclaimed to Your chosen people that all of their instruments of war should be beaten into instruments of peace.
Grant that I may always strive to make justice and peace core virtues so as to live as I ought and as You desire.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "plowshares...pruning hooks"; farming and vineyard tools; in prayer seek the grace to practice peace and justice as a way of being and thereby do my part to bring about peace and justice in the world.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 11.1-10

12.01.12

Lectio: Jer 33.14-16
Meditatio: "In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the Lord." Jer 33.15

Oratio: "O God, You are always there for us - even in the ultimate disaster - the end of the world.

I remember Your prophet, Jeremiah, proclaimed to the Jewish remnant a new age, in which Your Son, whose earthly lineage is of the House of David, will rule over us forever in a just and right way.
Grant that I may always strive to live justly and rightly and vigilantly and steadfast in the ways of the Lord so that I will not fear the end of time for I will be righteous in His sight.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "in those days"; a reference to the end of time and the ushering in of a new age; in prayer ask for the grace to live justly and rightly so that the end of time for me, whether at the end of my life; or at the end of the world; I may be found by You to be steadfast in Your ways and You will lead me in path way to eternal life.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 2.1-5

11.30.12
Lectio: Rv 22.1-7                           
Meditatio: "Then the angel showed me the rive of life-giving water sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." Rv 22.1

Oratio: "O God, You are the source of our being.

I remember Your Evangelist, John, had a vision of the ‘life-giving water’ that flows from You and sustains us.
Grant that I may always drink of these waters for they will sustain me not only in this life but throughout eternity.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "life-giving water"; a symbol for God’s graces; source of our life and our hopes and our destiny; in prayer thank the Lord for His graciousness and kindness and the gift of eternal life; in prayer drink deeply of God’s graces and use them to love and serve Him in this life for that is why we were born and that is why we live and have our being.

Tomorrow's reading: Jer 33.14-16

11.29.12
Lectio: Rom 10.9-18

Meditatio: "for if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Rm 10.9

Oratio: "O God, You planned a wonderful destiny for those who believe in Your Son.

I remember Your apostle, Paul, proclaimed to the Romans that those who believe in Your Son that He has been raised from the dead by You, will be saved - what a great reward for so little on our part!
Grant that I may always believe the basic kerygma that Christ has died, Christ has risen, that Christ will come again for Jesus himself proclaimed that He is the resurrection and the life and that all who believe in Him even though they die shall live.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "believe in your heart"; a symbol for the core of your being; a fundamental orientation of one’s life and one’s actions; in prayer ask for the grace of a strong faith in Jesus, one that is reflected in my very being and in my actions.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 22.1-7

11.28.12

Lectio: Rv 18.1-2,21-23; 19.1-3,9a                           
Meditatio: "Then the angel said to me,’Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb’." Rv 19.9a

Oratio: "O God, You have prepared an everlasting place for us - all You ask is that we accept Your invite.

I remember Your evangelist, John, declared blessed are those who are called to the ‘wedding feast of the Lamb of God’ - Your Son’s.
Grant that I may accept the invite You gave me at my Baptism by living a life in accordance with Your will.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "wedding feast of the Lamb"; symbolic of heaven; an everlasting place of peace, joy, love and happiness; in prayer seek the grace to do the will of the Father in all things as that is how I am to show my acceptance of His invitation - and what a wonderful and unimaginable happening.

Tomorrow's reading: Rom 10.9-18

11.27.12

Lectio: Rv 15.1-4
Meditatio: "Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and the image and the number that signifies its name. They were holding God’s harps." Rv 15.2

Oratio: "O God, You planned a wonderful destiny for us - to be in Your presence forever.

I remember Your evangelist, John, saw a vision of it and described it as a glass sea and standing on it were those who had responded to Your Son’s call to reform their lives and they were symbolized as ‘mingled with fire’.
Grant that I may always accept Your graces to live as Your child which I became at Baptism and allow the purifying fire of Your Spirit to take hold in me.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "mingled with fire"; symbolizes the purity of those who are now with the Lord; in prayer ask for and use God’s graces to live life rightly so that one day I, too, may hold one of God’s harps.

11.26.12

Lectio: Rv 14.14-19
Meditatio: "So the one who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested." Rv 14..16

Oratio: "O God, You have warned us often and in devastating ways that there will be a final judgment on us as to how we lived our lives.

I remember Your evangelist, John, used the image of Your Son wielding a sharp sickle to harvest the earth as our certain ending and its finality - with no Do-overs!
Grant that I may produce the harvest to which You are entitled so that in the end I may be gathered into Your kingdom..
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "sickle...earth harvested"; symbolic of the end o f time and the fate of the good; the fate of the bad feel the sickle of the avenging angel and are thrown into the winepress - symbolic of the wrath of God. In prayer ask for the grace and use the grace to produce what God desires.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 15.1-4

11.25.12
Lectio: Rv 14.1-3, 4b-5

Meditatio: "They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb." Rv 14.4b

Oratio: "O God, You desire our return to You for You created us to be with You forever.

I remember Your evangelist, John, made this clear when he declared that the 144,000 were the FIRST FRUITS of the human race for You and Your Son.
Grant that I may always respond to Your graces so as to be numbered among the great multitude who return to You.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "144,000"; it is not a body count; it is a biblical number which stands for fullness In prayer thank Jesus for raising us up after our death by the grace of His death and ask for grace to accept Jesus’ redemptive act by living a life of selfless love.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 14.14-19

11.24.12

Lectio: Dn 7.13-14
     Meditatio: "He [Son of Man] received dominion, glory and kingship; nations and people of every language serve him." Dn 7.14a

Oratio: "O God, You revealed to our forefathers in faith - the plans You had for Your Son.

I remember Daniel, Your prophet, revealed the everlasting kingship of Your Son to your Chosen people for Jesus would use ‘Son of Man’ most often in referring to Himself.
Grant that I may be always loyal to Christ as my King and Savior and Brother for that is what He most prizes from us and it means we will be faithful in all things.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "dominion, glory, kingship"; all 3 are characteristics of Jesus’ reign but now and forever. In prayer thank God for giving us such a gracious and kindly King and ask for the grace to acknowledge His kingship here on earth by carrying out the tasks He has given me with haste and with love for that is the best way of showing that I am a loyal subject.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 14.1-3, 4b-5.

11.23.12

Lectio: Rv 11.4-12
Meditatio: "But after three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them. When they stood on their feet, great fear fell on those who saw them." Rev 11.11

Oratio: "O God, You protect Your witnesses from eternal death.

I remember John declared Your two great witnesses received Your breath of life after they were slain and then they were taken up to heaven - how wonderful for them! How gracious and kind of You!

Grant that I may be always in reverential awe fo Your Son’s resurrection and rejoice in the fact that You have decreed a glorious ending for us as well.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "breath of life"; God’s power alone; in prayer ask for the grace to be always grateful for the promise of resurrected life; and for the grace to use this life to best serve the Lord.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 1.5-8

11.22.12

Lectio: Rv 10.8-11
Meditatio: "Then someone said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings’." Rev 10.11

Oratio: "O God, who will make You known but Your children.

I remember Paul charged the Hebrews to prophesy to all about You.
Grant that I may remember my baptismal call to prophesy and do so especially by the life I live.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "prophesy"; to speak to others about God and the things they need to know about God for their salvation; in prayer thank God for the many prophetic voices who have gone before me and to whom I owe my faith and for the grace to willingly speak to others about You for their good.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 11.4-12

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day!

11.21.12

Lectio: Sir 50.22-24
Meditatio: "And, now, bless the Lord of all, who has done wondrous things, on earth. Who fosters men’s growth for their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will." Sir 50.22

Oratio: "O God, You have bestowed upon us wonderfully and wondrously.

I remember Your prophet, Sirach, proclaimed Your blessings on us - life that we receive from our mother’s womb - joy, goodness and peace from You.

Grant that I may be ever grateful to You for being such a great and generous God and may I always use these blessings for the purpose You gave them to us.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "wondrous"; praiseworthy, awesome; in prayer thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on us and for the grace to use them in accordance with His will.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 10.8-11

11.20.12

Lectio: Rv 4.1-11
Meditatio: "Day and night they do not stop exclaiming:

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,

Who was, and who is, and who is to come’." Rev 4.8b
             
Oratio: "O God, You are eternal, the source of all being and You deserve all praise.

I remember John declared that in heaven the elect constantly praise You for Your holiness and that You are an eternal God.
Grant that I may be ever grateful to You for all You have done for us and always remember to give You thanks and praise for Your goodness.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "eternal"; no beginning, no end; uncaused cause; in prayer thank God for all that He has done for us, is doing for us and will do for us; for without Him we can do nothing  andare nothing.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 5.1-10

11.19.12

Lectio: Rv 3.1-6, 14-22                                                                     
Meditatio: "Those whom I love I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent."
Rev 3.19

Oratio: "O God, as a loving Father, You watch over us and Your ways have one object - to bring us back to You.

I remember John declared that You reprove and chastise us out of love - how contrary to our ways! How beneficial for us!
Grant that we may be ever grateful for the loving ways that the Father treats me even though His reproof and chastisement may not seem very good at the time.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "chastise"; discipline; rebuke; to correct and not to punish; in prayer thank God for being such a good Father to me as to take steps so that I stay on the straight and narrow way back to Him.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 4.1-11

11.18.12

Lectio: Rv 1.1-4, 2.1-5
Meditatio: "John, to the seven churches in Asia, grace to you and peace from who is, and who was, and who it to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne.

Oratio: "O God, You sent Your Son to bring us back to You and You have deigned to use the church as Your continuing vehicle.

I remember John wrote the book of Revelations to all the churches established in Asia that Your Son had come and will come again.
Grant that we may heed the messages of Your church so that we will be ready when He comes to us again - whether at the end of time or at the end of our life time - whichever comes first.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "seven"; completeness; in prayer thank God for establishing His church so that we would know His Son’s message which has the complete message for us as to what we must do be able to enter the eternal kingdom and then for the grace to heed Jesus’ message.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 3.1-6, 14-22

11.17.12

Lectio: Dn 12.1-3
Meditatio: "and those who lead many to justice shall be like the stars forever." Dn 12.3b

Oratio: "O God, You value highly good example.

I remember Daniel proclaimed that those who lead many to justice shall be like the stars forever - What a reward! What a destiny!
Grant that I may be always be aware that my speech, my actions - have consequences and have the power to influence others for good or for bad; and for the grace to always act rightly.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "justice"; right relationship; with God, others, self; in prayer ask for the grace to act justly in all things so that the heavenly Father will be pleased and others will find that He is a gracious and loving God.

Tomorrow's reading: Rv 1.1-4, 2.1-5

11.16.12

Lectio: : 3 Jn 5-8
Meditatio: "they have testified to your love before the church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey." 3 Jn 5

Oratio: "O God, You have always been good to us and You rightly expect that we will be good to others and especially for those who do Your work.

I remember John urged the people to support the missionaries so that the Good News would be spread and by their help they would play a material role in spreading it.

Grant that I may readily support the missionaries with contributions and prayers as a way of thanking You for the Good News I have received.

I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "help them"; provide food, shelter, money; in prayer thank God for the many missionaries who have devoted their lives to spread the Good News and for the grace to have a generous heart and support their efforts with money and prayers.

Tomorrow's reading: Dn 12.1-3

11.15.12
Lectio: 2 Jn 4-9
Meditatio: "Anyone who is so ‘progressive’ as not to remain in the teaching of the church does not have God; who does remain in the truth has the Father and the Son." 2 Jn 9

Oratio: "O God, You want us to advance and make progress but not at the expense of truth.

I remember John cautioned the so-called ‘progressives’ who on their own espoused new things about Christ including that He was simply a superior spiritual being but not God.
Grant that I may always conform my reflections on spiritual matters with the guidance provided by the Pope and the bishops in union with him for they alone have been given Your Spirit to guide us in the ways of spiritual truths.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "progressives"; a term used to describe those who espouse views that they believe are superior and true based on their own speculation as to what is right or good. In prayer thank God for providing authoritative guidance to us on the most important matter for us, our spiritual matters; and let us always humbly and with confidence accept the guidance of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him for that is the source of truth that Your Son has given to us.

Tomorrow's reading: 3 Jn 5-8

11.14.12

Lectio: Phlm 7-20
Meditatio: "But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but be voluntary." Phlm 14

Oratio: "O God, it is our will You want.

I remember Paul emphasized that the good You do will be a voluntary act. Grant that I may choose the good and give You the honor and praise You deserve.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "voluntary"; freely, without concern, in prayer thank God for giving us free will and seek the grace and freely choose the good so as to honor The Lord as I should.

Tomorrow's reading: 2 Jn 4-9

11.13.12
Lectio: Ti 3.1-7
                             
Meditatio: "not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit." Ti 3.5

Oratio: "O God, how kind and merciful You are!

I remember Your Son saved us through baptism and the giving to us the Spirit.

Grant that I may live in accordance with my baptismal dignity - as a faithful and loving child of Yours- as that is the best way of saying thanks!
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "bath of rebirth"; baptism, become a child of God through the power of the Holy Spirit; in prayer thank Jesus for giving us a way back to the Father and ask for the grace to be ever grateful of the great dignity bestowed by baptism and live in accordance with it.

Tomorrow's reading: Phlm 7-20

11.12.12

Lectio: Ti 2.1-8,11-14
Meditatio: "showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized." 2.7-8a

Oratio: "O God, You know the power of good example.

I remember Paul exhorted Titus to give good example to the Cretans - and he was most effective in ministering to them because of it.

Grant that I heed Paul’s exhortation and be a model of good in every respect.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "model"; a standard, something to be imitated; in prayer ask for the grace to live in accordance with the great Law of Love so that every action of mine may give good example.

Tomorrow's reading: Ti 3.1-7

11.12.12

Lectio: Ti 2.1-8,11-14
Meditatio: "showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized." 2.7-8a

Oratio: "O God, You know the power of good example.

I remember Paul exhorted Titus to give good example to the Cretans - and he was most effective in ministering to them because of it.

Grant that I heed Paul’s exhortation and be a model of good in every respect.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "model"; a standard, something to be imitated; in prayer ask for the grace to live in accordance with the great Law of Love so that every action of mine may give good example.

Tomorrow's reading: Ti 3.1-7

11.11.12

Lectio: Ti 1.1-9                              
Meditatio: "but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, self-controlled." Ti 1.8

Oratio: "O God, You want us to have and to practice virtues that will not only be good for us but will attract others to You.

I remember Paul told Titus, his co-worker, in Crete, of the importance of certain virtues -all of which can be found in those who love selflessly.

Grant that I may reflect and practice the virtues of being hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, self-controlled - so that I may be facilitator in the spread of Your Good News.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "virtues"; from the Latin meaning strengths: strength of character; in prayer ask for the grace to practice these virtues so that I may preach with my life and not simply with my words, the Good News that You want all to hear and by which You want all to be saved.

Tomorrow's reading: Ti 2.1-8,11-14

11.10.12

Lectio: 1 Kgs 17.10-16                              
Meditatio: "For the Lord, the God of Israel says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rains upon the earth’." I kgs 17.14

Oratio: "O God, You call all to faith even those who presently do not believe in You.

I remember the widow of Zarepath, a non-Jew, believed the promise made by Your prophet, Elijah that her little jug of oil and jar of flour would last until the famine was over if she simply gave him something to eat and to drink; she did and her little lasted for a whole year until the famine was over.

Grant that I may readily accept what You have revealed for I have been gifted with the Good News and I am richly blest because of my belief in it.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "faith"; a confident hope in things not seen and which cannot be empirically proved are so; in prayer thank God for the gift of faith and for the grace to accept what His Son has revealed to us and which is safely guarded and proclaimed by His Church.

Tomorrow's reading: Ti 1.1-9

11.09.12

Lectio: Phil 4.10-19
Meditatio: "I have strength for everything through him who empowers me." Phil 4.18

Oratio: "O God, You watch over us and care for us like a Good Shepherd.

I remember Paul declared to the Phillipians that he had the strength to deal with all things because You empowered him - how wonderful!

Grant that I may always seek Your help with confidence knowing You will empower me to do what I ought.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "empower"; to give strength; to give ability to act; in prayer thank God for His loving concern for me and with confidence turn to Him and ask for the graces needed to deal with a major difficulty knowing He will always give us the grace to do what we ought.

Tomorrow's reading: 1 Kgs 17.10-16

11.08.12

Lectio: Ez 47.1-2,8-9,12                              
Meditatio: "Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind that grows; their leaves shall never fail, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine." Ez 47.12

Oratio: "O God, You are the source of all good gifts.

I remember Your prophet, Ezekiel, declared the water from the sanctuary of Your temple, which symbolized Your grace, provided the people with food and medicine.

Grant that I may always remember Your graces especially flow from the Eucharist and to receive it frequently.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "flow from the sanctuary"; symbol of grace, source of our blessings; in our parsh church symbolized by the decorative rug in our center aisle which flows from the tabernacle to the back of the church. In prayer seek the grace that God provides us and to receive the Eucharist frequently so as to access the many graces He wishes to bestow on us.

Tomorrow's reading: Phil 4.10-19

11.07.12

Lectio: Phil 3.3-8a                              
Meditatio: "For we are the circumcision., we who worship though the Spirit of God, who boast in Jesus Christ and do not put our confidence in the flesh." Phil 3.3

Oratio: "O God, You offered a new covenant with us through Your Son.

I remember Paul declared to the Phillipians that the sign of the acceptance is our worship through the Spirit in Your Son’s name.

Grant that I may be ever mindful of the covenant sealed with Your Son’s blood and live in accordance with it - in accordance with the great Law of Love.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "circumcision"; the fleshly sign which devout Jews were marked to show their acceptance of the covenant offered by God through Moses; baptism is now the sign of our acceptance of the new covenant offered by Christ; in prayer ask for the grace to worship God in Jesus’ name and to live as children of God in all things so as to show by our lives our acceptance of the New Covenant.

Tomorrow's reading: Ez 47.1-2,8-9,12

11.06.12

Lectio: Phil 2.12-18                              
Meditatio: "Do everything without grumbling or questioning." Phil 2.14

Oratio: "O God, You are the Potter we are the clay.

I remember Paul told the Phillipians that they should do all things without grumbling because it is You who are doing the prompting.

Grant that I may give wholeheartedly allegiance to Your word knowing You are watching over us with loving care.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "grumbling"; dissenting without respect; in prayer thank God for watching over us with His loving care and for the grace to carry out His promptings.

Tomorrow's reading: Phil 3.3-8a

P,.S. Be sure to vote!

11.05.12

Lectio: Phil 2.5-11                              
Meditatio: "Who, though he [Christ] was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped." Phil 2.6

Oratio: "O God, You gave us Your Son as a great example for how to live well.

I remember Your Son emptied Himself of His divinity in order to become one of us out of obedience and He achieved Your will. - our redemption - how generous!

Grant that I may submit my will to Yours in all things so that Your Son’s obedience my bear fruit in me.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "obedience"; to submit; to carry out an order or a wish of another; in prayer ask for the grace to realize love is in the will and for the grace to obey out of love for that is Jesus’ way.

Tomorrow's reading: Phil 2.12-18

11.04.12

Lectio: Phil 2.1-4                              
Meditatio: "Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves." Phil 2.3

Oratio: "O God, Your Son humbled Himself by becoming one of us so that we might become divine - how generous and how loving!

I remember Paul admonished us to humbly regard others as more important than ourselves as that is Your way.

Grant that I may be ‘other minded’ in my thoughts, words and deeds, so as to give You the glory You want from us as Your children.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "humble"; truth is humility; to know oneself for what one is; in prayer thank God for creating and redeeming us as His children and then for the grace to act as a child of God.

Tomorrow's reading: Phil 2.5-11

11.03.12

Lectio: Dt 6.2-6                              
Meditatio: "Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Dt 6.5

                               
Oratio: "O God, You alone are God, who created us, sustains us, and redeemed us.

I remember Moses enjoined the Chosen people to Love You with all their being and Your Son declared this to be the first and greatest commandment.

Grant that I may always love You as I ought.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "love"; a choice, an act of the will; not a feeling; to love is to seek the good of the other for the other’s good and not for what I may get out of it; I feel I may not always to this but I choose to do so regardless of my feelings; in prayer ask for the grace to love God and others as I ought.

Tomorrow's reading: Phil 2.1-4

11.02.12

Lectio: Phil 1.18b-26

Meditatio: "For me life is Christ, and death is gain." Phil 1.21

Oratio: "O God, You wonderfully created us and You more wonderfully redeemed us.

I remember Paul declared that life is Christ for him and death means eternal life with Christ - what a gift You have given us!

Grant that I may emulate Paul and see life is Christ and strive to live my life for Christ.
   
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "death...gain"; eternal life for this temporal life; life with Christ forever in His presence; a life of eternal happiness, joy and love. In prayer thank God for loving us so and strive to live a life of love of others in Jesus’ name so that I may rejoice in the Lord always.

Tomorrow's reading: Dt 6.2-6

10.29.12

Lectio: : Eph 5.21-33

 
Meditatio: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her." Eph 5.25

                               
Oratio: "O God, at times we fail to hear what You want us to hear when You speak to us.

I remember that Paul’s advice to wives and husbands in his letter to the Ephesians is often interpreted as putting the wives down - but his message is about order with a clear directive to all husbands to love their wives as Christ loves us -totally and unconditionally.

Grant that I may reflect prayerfully on biblical passages before concluding its meaning and if my conclusion is troublesome seek the advice of an expert - a biblical scholar - for its meaning.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "handed over"; to submit to another; Christ submitted Himself to Pilate and gave of Himself totally for our salvation and for our good. In prayer thank Jesus for is great love that He showed in dying and rising and then sharing His victory over death with us; and then strive to love others unconditionally as He loves us.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 6.1-9

10.28.12

Lectio:: Eph 4.32-5.8                 
Meditatio: "[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ." Eph 4.32

Oratio: "O God, how merciful of You to forgive us our trespasses.

I remember Paul wrote of Your forgiving us through Jesus but he also reminded them and us to forgive one another.

Grant that I may be always compassionate; to be ready to forgive the other; and to actually forgive without being asked to do so.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "forgive"; to forgo retaliation when offended; to show mercy to one who perhaps does not deserve our mercy for that I what Jesus expects of us and not only did Paul reveal this to us St. Faustina wrote of Jesus’ Divine Mercy and how even the most hardened criminal would receive it and she also revealed that we should be merciful, too.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 5.21-33

P.S. Praying for all that ‘Sandy’ will only be a nuisance and not a calamity for you and your loved ones.

10.27.12

Lectio: Jer 31.7-9

 
Meditatio: "I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst." Jer 31.8b

 Oratio: "O God, You are so kind and merciful.

I remember Your prophet, Jeremiah, declared You will gather the blind and the lame form the ends of the world and Your Son cured Bartimaeus of his blindness.

Grant that I may be ever mindful of Your great kindness and mercy and show kindness and mercy to those who come to me in their need.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "blind"; loss of physical sight; loss of spiritual sight; in prayer ask God to see Him in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary events of life so that I may over come my spiritual blindness.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 4.32-5.8

10.26.12

Lectio: Eph 4.7-16
     
 
Meditatio: "Rather living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ." Eph4. 15

                               
Oratio: "O God, You so much want us to image the image in which You created us - Yours!

I remember Paul told the Ephesians to live ‘the truth in love’ - and we will become one with Christ - wow what an gift!

Grant that I may be a person of love so as so fulfill the purpose for which I am here.
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on " love"; true love is always seeking the good of the other for the other’s sake; in prayer seek the grace to live my faith with love for the other.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph Jer 31.7-9

10.24.12

Lectio: Eph 3.14-21

 
Meditatio: "and to know the love of Jesus that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with the fullness of God." Eph 3.19

                               
Oratio: "O God, You have bestowed upon us Your greatest blessing - Your Son.

I remember Paul prayed for the Ephesians that they would come to know and experience Jesus’ love so that they would be filled with You.

Grant that I may be ever grateful that Jesus came down from heaven , to reveal You to us, and to redeem us.

        I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "love surpasses knowledge"; to be loved and to love is the ultimate; it is so much more thank simply knowing the other; in prayer thank Jesus for His love of us and for loving us to His death so that we could love and be loved by the Triune God for all eternity.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 4.1-6

10.23.12

Lectio:Eph 3.2-12
Meditatio: "if, as I [Paul] suppose you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit." Eph 3.2

Oratio: "O God, You have given us many blessings and You expect that we will use them for the purpose they were given.

I remember Paul acknowledged that he was given the grace to preach to the Gentiles and he was to use that gift as a good steward for their benefit.

Grant that I may be a good steward of the gifts I have been given using them in accordance with God’s purposes.
        I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "stewardship;" proper use of goods and talents; a steward is a person in charge of the store room of goods; in prayer thank God for His many gifts and for the grace to know and to use them for the purpose given so that I may be a good steward of my time, talent and possessions thereby giving God the honor and praise He deserves. 
Tomorrow's reading: Eph 3.14-21

10.22.12

Lectio: : Eph 2.12-22



Meditatio: "So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens of the household of God." Eph 2.19

Oratio: "O God, You desire that all creatures be one with You.

I remember Paul declared to the Ephesians just that- we are all members of the household of God.

Grant that I may always see in the other, a family member and then treat all accordingly.
        I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.
  Operatio: reflect on "household of God;" church here on earth; heaven - hereafter; in prayer thank God for the gift citizenship in His kingdom and for the grace to act as a good citizen in the here and the now.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 3.2-12

 
                                 
10.21.12

Lectio:Eph 2.1-10 
Meditatio: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you, it is a gift of God." Eph 2.8

Oratio: "O God, You know it is impossible for us by ourselves to attain to eternal life with You.
I remember Paul wrote to the Ephesians that is through faith, through grace and that we are saved.

Grant that I may humbly acknowledge my powerlessness and be ever grateful for Your favor of eternal life for us.

I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "grace;" God’s favor, God’s help, God’s kindness; God’s gift; in prayer thank God for being so kind and merciful to us and in return show kindness and mercy to those whose lives we touch. 
Tomorrow's reading: Eph 2.12-22 
     

10.21.12

Lectio: Eph 2.1-10

 
Meditatio: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you, it is a gift of God." Eph 2.8


Oratio: "O God, You know it is impossible for us by ourselves to attain to eternal life with You.

I remember Paul wrote to the Ephesians that is through faith, through grace and that we are saved.

Grant that I may humbly acknowledge my powerlessness and be ever grateful for Your favor of eternal life for us.
   
  I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

 

Operatio: reflect on "grace;" God’s favor, God’s help, God’s kindness; God’s gift; in prayer thank God for being so kind and merciful to us and in return show kindness and mercy to those whose lives we touch.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 2.12-22

10.20.12

Lectio:  Heb 4.14-16                                                                   
                                 
Meditatio: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable t sympathize with our weakness,
but one who has been similarly tested in every way, yet without sin.”
Heb 4.15                                      

Oratio:  "O God, You know we are a needy people and You have provided a wonderful remedy for us.

 I remember You gave us Jesus as the great High Priest to intercede for us with You in our need.

Grant that I may be ever grateful for Jesus, my redeemer and my intercessor, and rejoice in the wonderful way You have provided for us.
      
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father  and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.
  
Operatio: reflect on  "priest;” offers sacrifices to God on behalf of his people; the Great High Priest is Jesus; He is our way to the Father and remains with us all our days.  In prayer thank Jesus for being our High Priest and for always being there for us; and show my gratitude by being a compassionate person for others
.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 2.1-10

10.19.12

Lectio: Eph 1.15-23 
Meditatio: "which he [God, the Father] in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens." Eph 1.20
             
Oratio: "O God, Your Son is most precious to You - yet He died a cruel death to redeem us.

I remember You did not allow death to have the last say - but You raised Jesus from the dead and gave Him the place of glory in the heavens - at Your right hand.

Grant that I may rejoice in Your Son’s love for us for giving us a share in His victory over death for He said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life, all who believe in me, though they die, shall live." Jn 11.25
I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.


Operatio: reflect on
"raising ... from the dead"; humanly impossible, divinely possible; in prayer thank Jesus for giving us a share in His victory over death and for the grace to live our belief in Him.
Tomorrow's reading: Heb 4.14-16