5/31/12 Lectio: 1 Pt 4.7-13 Medtitatio: “"Above all, let your love for one another be intense because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Pt 4.8 Oratio:"O God, You are so kind and generous and willing to forgive our sins. I remember Peter told the early Christians that love covers a multitude of sins- how kind of You! Grant that I may always love the other and most of all, You, who are All-Love. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "love;"; an emotion; an act of the intellect; the object is the other; the goal to seek the other’s good for the other’s sake and not for what we might get out of it. In prayer ask for the grace to always abide by the great Law of Love. Tomorrow’s reading: Jude 17.20b-25

5/30/12 Lectio: Zep 3.14-18a Medtitatio: “"Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! Oratio:"O God, You do not want us to live in a vale of tears. I remember Your prophet, Zephaniah, told the people to shout for joy for the Lord is in their midst! Grant that I may show similar exuberance because the Lord is in our midst in His real and personal presence in the Eucharist. Alleluia! I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "be glad and exalt"; a grand and heightened feeling; joy which fills the heart; a great delight; in prayer thank Jesus for drawing near and remaining with us in the Eucharist. Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Pt 4.7-13

5/29/12 Lectio: 1 Pt 1.18-25 Medtitatio: “You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God.” 1 Pt 1.23 Oratio: "O God, You are amazing and so kind and generous! I remember You have enabled us, finite human beings; to become imperishable through the grace of Baptism. Grant that I may always rejoice in the divine life I received at my baptism and live in mutual love in accordance with this great gift. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "born anew”; baptism; rebirth by water and the Holy Spirit; divine life poured into our souls; become God’s children; sustained by God’s word; in prayer ask for the grace of gratitude for this great gift of divine life and share it with others by living in accordance with the great Law of Love. Tomorrow’s reading: Zep 3.14-18a

5/28/12 Lectio: 1 Pt 1.10-16 Medtitatio: “for it is written, ‘Be holy because I [am] holy’.” 1 Pt 1.16 Oratio: "O God, You want all Your creatures to be with You forever. I remember Peter reminded us that we had to do one thing to be with You - be holy. Grant that I may strive to live as Your child here on earth so as to live with You as Your Child forever. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "Be holy”; right relationship with God, others and self; vigilant as to God’s ways and following them; in prayer ask for the grace and then act on that grace to allow WWJD be my guiding principle for my actions. If I do, I will be holy as God wants me to be. Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Pt 1.18-25

5/27/12 Lectio: 1 Pt 1.3-9 Medtitatio: “Although you have not seen him [Jesus] you love him, even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.” 1 Pt 3.8 Oratio: "O God, seeing is not necessary for believing as the early Christians found out. I remember Peter told the Gentile audience who had not seen Jesus that they believe and they rejoice with great joy and they love Jesus. Grant that I may readily accept the testimony of those who have seen Jesus and rejoice that the faith has been handed down for I have come to believe that eternal life is to know Jesus and the One who sent Him. Jn 3.1-2 I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "love without seeing”; love is based on faith; it is so based on the love of human beings for one another; it is the basis for our love of Jesus. In the prayer thank God for making His Son known to us through others and for the gift of faith in Him so that my love for Him is real and joyful. Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Pt 1.10-16

5/26/12 Lectio: Acts 2.1-11 Medtitatio: “both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” Acts 2.11 Oratio: "O God, You gave us an extra grace when Your Son ascended to You - You gave us Your Spirit. I remember Your gift was symbolized by a mighty wind, tongues of fire and the ability to speak in tongues so that all could understand - and Your apostles used Your Spirit and His gifts to spread the Good News. Grant that I may always rejoice in the fact that Your Spirit remains with us so that we may easily find You and accept the Good News of Your Son. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "Holy Spirit”; mighty wind, tongues of fire; God’s presence in the world; Spirit of truth; source of unity, understanding and peace; in prayer ask the “Holy Spirit to come, to melt the frozen, to warm the chill, to guide the feet of those who have gone astray” (Sequence). And He will. Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Pt 1.3-9

5/25/12 Lectio: Acts 28.16-20,30-31 Medtitatio: “He [Paul] remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him.” Acts 28.30 Oratio: "O God, even evil cannot prevent the good You will. I remember Paul was sent to Rome as a prisoner because the Jews accused him of preaching against their beliefs and wanted him executed - Yet Paul’s stay in Rome led to the conversion of many in that City. Grant that I may always trust in You even in the darkest times for You are in control and You will bring even bad things to a good conclusion. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "God’s omnipotence”; All-powerful; Can and does bring good out of evil; He uses it to watch over us with loving care; in prayer thank God for being so good to us and for wanting only good for all of us. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 2.1-11

5/23/12 Lectio: Acts 25.13b-21 Medtitatio: “and when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” Acts 25.21 Oratio: "O God, how wonderful are Your ways. I remember Paul was born a Roman citizen and this fact allowed Paul to be sent to Rome and his presence there would be a major reason for the spread of the Good News. Grant that I may rejoice in who I am and in my origin for I am sure that it is all part of Your plan for me. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "origin”; point of beginning; one’s birth, one’s conception; one’s ancestry; in prayer thank God for creating us and for redeeming us through His Son and for bestowing on us the status of his children through baptism. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 28.16-20,30-31

5/23/12 Lectio: Acts 22.30, 23.6-11 Medtitatio: “For the Sadducees say there is on resurrection, or angels or spirit, while the Pharisees acknowledge all.” Acts 23.8 Oratio: "O God, it is so easy for us to go astray in our beliefs when we are left to our own speculations. I remember that both the Sadducees and the Pharisees were religious Jews yet they held the opposite views on the resurrection, angels and spirits. But You did not leave us in the dark and You sent the Holy Spirit and Your Son to enlighten us in matters of our faith. Grant that I may be ever grateful that I will one day rise and be with the angels and spirits in Your kingdom. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "inspiration”; direct info; not deductive; the Holy Spirit is the source; In prayer thank the Father for giving us His Son and His Spirit to inform us about matters of faith and then live what we believe and we will have life but now and hereafter. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 25.13b-21

5/22/12 Lectio: Acts 20.28-38 Medtitatio: “And now I [Paul] commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.” Acts 20.32 Oratio: "O God, You gave us a marvelous inheritance through Your Son, the Word of God. I remember Paul told the church at Miletus that this inheritance is among all who are consecrated - a consecration that takes places at our baptisms. Grant that I may be always grateful for those who brought me to baptism so that I may be consecrated in the Spirit and share in the inheritance of God’s kingdom. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "consecration”; to set aside; to be formally set aside through anointing; through chrism at our baptism; in prayer thank God for consecrating us in His Holy Spirit, in truth; and ask for the grace to live a life which reflects that consecration - a life of selfless love. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 22.30, 23.6-11

5/20/12 Lectio: Acts 19.1-8 Medtitatio: “ when they [ 12 men in Ephesus] heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19.5 Oratio: "O God, how wonderfully have provided for those who believe in Your Son! I remember that baptism in the name of Your Son bestows upon the recipient Your Holy Spirit. Grant that I may be ever grateful for the divine life that was poured into me at my baptism and for the Apostle Paul for revealing this gift s clearly to the 12 believers at Ephesus. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect "Baptism”; a sacrament; pouring of the water and using the Trinitarian formula;; effects - original sin and all personal sin up to the time of baptism are forgiven and most importantly we have divine life and become God’s children; in prayer thank God for bestowing upon us the gift of His Spirit; may we always live as children of God and do His will. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 20.17-27

5/14/12 Lectio: Acts 16.22-34 Medtitatio: "and they [Paul & Silas] said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved’.” Acts 16.31 Oratio: "O God, how kind and generous You are! I remember You provided a simple method for us to be saved - believe in Your Son as Paul and Silas declared. Grant that I may always have the gift - the grace of faith in Your Son and reflect it with an active belief. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect "believe;” accept; faith - a confident hope that what we do not see will come to be; the method given for our salvation; in prayer thank Jesus for willingly undertaking His salvific role and for the grace he bestows on us to believe in Him. May I show my belief by doing what He commands - Love one another! Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 17.15, 22-18.1 P.S. I will be on a Priest gathering until Thursday. I will resume Lectio on Friday.

5/13/12 Lectio: Acts 1.15-17, 20-26 Medtitatio: "beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with u s a witness to his resurrection.” Acts 1. 22 Oratio: "O God, You provided reliable witnesses to Your Son’s salvific acts from the beginning of the New Way. I remember Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, determined that Judas’ place to be taken by a witness who was with Jesus during his entire public ministry; and they chose Matthias. Grant that I may always be grateful for the testimony of the apostles and their successors to the Good News and especially to Jesus’ death and resurrection and His sharing of His victory over death with us. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect "witness;” observer of a fact; an expert on a subject of importance; a reliable way of establishing truth; in prayer thank God for the many who testified to Jesus’ death and resurrection and its meaning for us and for those who preserved their testimony. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 16.22-34 P.S. Happy Mother’ Day and be sure to thank your mother today for all she has done and all that she means to you. If alive, call or visit. If dead, do so by prayer to her.

5/12/12 Lectio: Acts 10.25-26, 34-35,44-48 Medtitatio: "Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, ‘In truth I see that God has shown no partiality’.” Acts 10.34 Oratio: "O God, we are all different, yet to You we are all Yours equally. I remember Peter declared to the household of Cornelius, a Gentile, that You show no partiality. Grant that I may always realize and rejoice that You love me with all my warts and all my barnacles. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect "partiality;” favoritism, preferential treatment; with God all are equally His children; in prayer thank God for loving us so. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 1.15-17, 20-26

5/11/12 Acts 16.1-10 Medtitatio: "When they came to Mysia, they [Paul and Timothy] tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” Acts 16.7 Oratio: "O God, You are with us and watch over us all our days. I remember Paul acknowledged that it was the Spirit of Jesus that dictated where he should evangelize. Grant that I may always rejoice that You and Jesus are always present to us through the Holy Spirit. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect "Spirit of Jesus;” Jesus’ continuing presence in the world; the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Blessed Trinity; in prayer thank the Holy Spirit for His love, protection, inspiration; and for being the means by which Jesus and the Father continue to be present to us in a real, loving and personal way. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 10.25-26, 34-35,44-48

5/10/12 Acts 15.22-31 Medtitatio: "It is the decision of the holy spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities." Acts 15.28 Oratio: "O God, You have guided the church from the beginning through the instrument of the church leaders and the Holy Spirit. I remember the Jerusalem Council decided the Mosaic Dietary Laws would not apply to the Gentile converts because they too burdensome, and this was also the decision of the Holy Spirit. Grant that I may always accept the guidance of church councils. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect "Holy Spirit;" God, third person of the Trinity, God's presence in the world, the Father's and the Son's spirit. In prayer resolve to do my part to make the Holy Spirit known and to seek the Spirit's guidance in all things. Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 16.1-10

5/08/12 Acts 15.7-21 Meditatio: ""on the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the same way as they." Acts 15.11 Oratio: "O God, how wonderfully You have guided us in the New Way established by Your Son! I remember Peter, inspired by Your Spirit, proclaimed that is not the dietary laws of Moses by which we are saved, but by the grace of Your Son. Grant that I may always be grateful that it is by grace we are saved and reflect that gratitude by loving You, others and self. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: "grace;" help, favor, gift, from God; in prayer thank God for all the many graces I have received and especially the grace of salvation. Tomorrow's reading: Acts 15.22-31

5/08/12 Acts 15.1-6 Meditatio: "The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.” Acts 15.6 Oratio: "O God, in Your great wisdom You provided a method for resolving matters of faith and morals. I remember when some of the Pharisees who converted to the Way insisted that all believers in the Way had to also comply with circumcision and the Mosaic Law, the apostles and presbyters met to resolve this dispute and with the guidance of Your Spirit they did. Grant that I may willingly accept the pronouncements of Ecumenical Councils and when the Pope speaks infallibly on matters of faith and morals for it is Your way of guiding us. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on “conflict resolution;” some by arbitration; some by majority vote; but God’s way is by Councils of Church leaders or by the Pope as head of the church; in prayer thank God for giving us sure guidance in matters of faith and morals and ask for a humble and accepting spirit for this guidance is for the salvation of all. Tomorrow's reading: Acts 15.7-21

5/07/12 Acts 14.19-28 Meditatio: "they [Paul & Barnabas] appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they put their faith.” Acts 14.23 Oratio: "O God, You have provided us with the means of salvation. I remember Paul & Barnabas appointed presbyters for each church and prescribed prayer and fasting to strengthen their faith and those actions are on-going today. Grant that I may not be discouraged with the poor church attendance but resolve to do my part to comment others to the Lord. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on “commend”; to refer; to back; to praise; in prayer ask for the grace to fast on behalf of all whose lives I touch so that they may come to an active faith. Tomorrow's reading: Acts 15.1-6

5/06/12 Acts 14.5-18 Meditatio: "yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.” Acts 14.17 Oratio: "O God, throughout the ages You drew all peoples to You. I remember Paul proclaimed in Lystra that the Gentiles he received evidence of You by the rains and by fruitful seasons and by the gladness experienced by them. Grant that I may ever grateful for the works of Your hands and always show respect to them for they are proof of Your existence and goodness. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on “witness”; a source of evidence, or proof; effects come from a cause; created comes from the uncreated; evidence of God - the uncreated cause; in prayer thank God for revealing Himself through His works and for the grace to give His works the respect they are due. Tomorrow's reading: Acts 14.27-31a

5/05/12 Acts 9.26-31 Meditatio: "He [Paul] also spoke and debated with the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him.” Acts 9.29 Oratio: "O God, how perverse we can be! I remember when Paul began to speak and to defend the New Way, the reaction of the Hellenists Jews who could not debate with him successfully was to kill him. Grant that I may respond to Your grace and to speak to others about You and what they need to know about You so that they may be saved. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on “Hellenist”; Greek; Jews who spoke Greek; in prayer thank God for giving us Paul to defend the new Way at its beginning and may we also respond to God’s grace to speak out and defend our faith when it comes under attack. Let us especially do it every day by the lives we live. Tomorrow's reading: Acts 14.5-18

Writ 5/03/12 Acts 13.26-33 Meditatio: "My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those other of you who are God fearing, to us the word of salvation has been sent.” Acts 12.26 Oratio: "O God, You want all to be saved. I remember Paul declared to the Corinthians that the words of salvation were sent to not only the Jews but to all who are God fearing. Grant that I may be ever grateful that God has ordained that salvation is a universal possibility. I ask this of You, who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.” Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on “God fearing”; reverential awe of God; in prayer give praise to God for His majesty, His goodness and His love and thank Him for making it possible for all to be saved and to live with Him forever. Tomorrow's reading: Acts 13.44-52e down these ways.