7.30.12 Lectio: Jer 15.10, 16-21 Meditatio: "When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart.” Jer 15.16a Oratio: " O God, Your words are spirit and truth! I remember Your prophet, Jeremiah, declared that when he found Your words, he was filled with joy and happiness. Grant that I may savor every word of holy scripture for they are Your words and they are the words of life. I ask this an 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 "devoured;” take in completely; assimilate into your very being; in prayer thank God for the writers of Sacred Scripture and for those who preserved these writings down through the ages, for these inspired writings provide the way to joy and happiness both in this life and in the next. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 18.1-6

7.29.12 Lectio: Jer 14.17-22 Meditatio: "Among the nations idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O Lord, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done these things.” Jer 14.22 Oratio: " O God, Your creative power is amazing! I remember not only have You created the heavens and the earth and everything that is in it, but You also created me. Grant that I may ever praise and glorify You and worship You alone for there is no one beside You who has and can do such things and who does it out of love for us. I ask this an 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 "idols;” false gods; money, power, prestige; in prayer seek the grace to see things clearly so that I may always give you, O Lord, the thanks, praise and worship You are due and which You richly deserve. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 15.10, 16-21

7.28.12 Lectio: Jer 13.1-11 Meditatio: "For as close as a loin cloth clings to a man’s loins, so I made the whole house of Israel cling to me, says the Lord, to my peoples, my renown, my praise, my beauty. But they did not listen.” Jer 13.11 Oratio: " O God, You are near to us but we are often stray from You. I remember You told Your prophet, Jeremiah, that You were as close to Israelites as a loincloth is to a man’s loins, but they ignored You and went their own ways. Grant that I may rejoice in the fact that You are near and a very loving God and respond by doing Your will. I ask this an 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 "loincloth;” a garment; cover’s one’s private parts; a symbol of God’s intimate love for us; a rotted one - a symbol of our rejection of God; in prayer thank God for his loving care and give Him the honor and praise He is due by living a life in accordance with His will. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 14.17-22

7.28.12 Lectio: 2 Kgs 4.42-44 Meditatio: "But his servant objected, ‘How can I set this [ 20 loaves] before a hundred men?’ “Give it to the people to eat, ‘ Elisha replied,’ For thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over’.” 2 Kgs 4.43 Oratio: " O God, Your wish is Your command for You are all-powerful. I remember Your prophet, Elisha, fed 100 men with 20 loaves for You said, ‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over,’ and they ate and there were leftovers. Grant that I may ever grateful for the Eucharist as it is an unending meal which You have so graciously provided for us. I ask this an 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 "miraculous feedings,” Elisha fed 100 men with 20 loaves and there were leftovers; Jesus fed 5000 men with 5 loaves and there were leftovers; and Jesus continues to feed all who believe in Him with His very self down through the ages; in prayer ask God for a generous spirit and allow God to multiply our efforts if that is His will. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 13.1-11

7.27.12 Lectio: Jer 7.1-11 Meditatio: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Reform your ways and your deeds, so that I may remain with you.” Jer 7.3 Oratio: " O God, You are always there for us but You are not a magic amulet for us. I remember when Your prophet, Jeremiah, proclaimed to Your chosen people that they could not count on Your being in their Temple if they committed all kinds of evil. Grant that I may with Your graces always follow the great Law of Love. I ask this an 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 "reform”; change, root out evil and replace it with good; live selflessly’ in prayer thank God for His great kindness in watching over us with loving care and to show my gratitude with my words and my deeds that are pleasing to Him. Tomorrow's reading: 2 Kgs 4.42-44

7.26.12 Lectio: Jer 3.14-17 Meditatio: "...and they [Israel] will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.” Jer 3.17c Oratio: " O God, how often we turn away from You but You always seek our return. I remember when Your chosen people turned to idolatry, You sent Your prophet, Jeremiah, to call them back to You from their hardhearted wickedness. Grant that I may be ever grateful that You sent Your Son so that will always have a permanent source calling us back to You - His church on earth. I ask this an 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 "hardhearted”; stubborn; holding on to an opinion in the face of clear evidence to the contrary; in prayer ask for the grace to have a humble and contrite heart for that is what is pleasing to our God. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 7.1-11

7.25.12 Lectio: Jer 2.1-3,7-8,12-13 Meditatio: "Two evils have my people done; they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; they have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water.” Jer 2. 13 Oratio: " O God, You have provided us with the means to eternal life from the beginning. I remember Your prophet, Jeremiah, declared You were the source of living waters but Your chosen people chose cisterns, broken cisterns - idols as the source of their living waters. Grant that I may realize that I am not self-sufficient and that in You alone I am made whole. I ask this an 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 "living waters”; life-giving; God’s favors or graces or helps, in prayer thank God for the life giving waters He gives us and strive to always give Him the honor and praise He deserves. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 3.14-17

7.24.12 Lectio: 2 Cor 4.7-15 Meditatio: "But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” 2 Cor 4.7 Oratio: " O God, You choose the weak so that we might be open to the Good News. I remember the Apostle, Paul, declared that the treasure of the Good News was held in earthen vessels - powerless men - but You power at work in them. Grant that I may be always open to the Good News no matter how it is proclaimed for You, in Your wisdom, have chosen the weak to spread it. I ask this an 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 "earthen vessels”; perishable, men and women missionaries; in prayer thank God for using the weak to spread the Good News for we would certainly have feared it and not be open to it, if Your angels proclaimed it. . Tomorrow's reading: Jer 2.1-3,7-8,12-13

7.23.12 Lectio: 2 Cor 4.7-15 Meditatio: "knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with you in his [Jesus’] presence.” 2 Cor 4.14 Oratio: " O God, what a great destiny You have in mind for all of us. I remember the Apostle, Paul, proclaimed to the Corinthians that we will be raise up at the end of life in the presence of Jesus - how wonderful! - how undeserving! Grant that I may be always grateful to the goodness of the Lord and reflect my gratitude with the life I live. I ask this an 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 "raises”; lift up; resurrection; life after death; in prayer thank God His great love for us and for His most generous gift - immortality; and seek the grace to do my part to show my gratitude for God’s great love for us. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 2.1-3,7-8,12-13

7.22.12 Lectio: Mi 7.14-15, 18-20 Meditatio: "And [God] will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depth fo the sea all our sins.” Mi 7.19 Oratio: " O God, You are so kind and merciful to us. I remember Your prophet, Micah, declared Your compassion for us and Your casting into the sea our sins - how merciful of You! Grant that I may always turn to You when I sin, and seek Your forgiveness knowing You are only too eager to grant it. I ask this an 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 "compassion”; suffer with; mercy rather than justice; St. Faustina revealed that Jesus justice is His compassionate mercy; in prayer seek the grace to daily venerate the Divine Mercy image and say the chaplet so as to place myself and my loved ones under the merciful protection of Jesus. Tomorrow's reading: 2 Cor 4.7-15

7.21.12 Lectio: Jer 23.1-6 Meditatio: "I will appoint shepherds for them, who will shepherd them so they need no longer fear and tremble, and none shall be missing, says the Lord.” Jer23.4 Oratio: " O God, You guide us through shepherds that You appoint - but sadly some not all do their jobs. I remember Your prophet, Jeremiah, decried those shepherds for their lack of work and said that You would appoint shepherds for Your people would work on their behalf. Grant that I may realize that the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophesy was Your sending Your Son to us who is ever there for us as the Good Shepherd. I ask this an 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”; protector, guide, watchdog, defender; in prayer thank God for His Son and for watching over us with loving care. Tomorrow's reading: Mi 6.1-4,6-8

7.20.12 Lectio: Mi 2.1-5 Meditatio: "Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches.” Mi 2. 1a Oratio: " O God, our hearts are often far from You but You continue to call us back. I remember Your prophet, Micah, spoke out against the conspirators of his day who would do evil so that the would stop and come to their senses. Grant that I may receive Your graces so that my heart may always be focused on You and Your ways. I ask this an 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 "Woe!”; a warning; impending doom; a stark condemnation; in prayer ask for the grace to always heed the woes of the prophets and to always strive to live in accordance with the great Law of Love. Tomorrow's reading: Jer 23.1-6

7.19.12 Lectio: Is 38.1-6,21-22, 7-8 Meditatio: "Isaiah then ordered a poultice of figs to be taken and applied to the boil, that he [Hezekiah] might recover.” Is 38.21 Oratio: " O God, You answer our prayers but You often use others as Your instruments. I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, told King Hezekiah that the Lord would answer his prayer and add fifteen years to his life but Isaiah ordered a poultice to be applied to the boil that was the cause of Hezekiah’s mortal illness. Grant that I may always pray with confidence for my needs and the needs of others and allow God to determine how, when and through whom His answer will be given. I ask this an 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 "God’s power”; unlimited, what is impossible for us is possible for God; He hears and answers our prayers but His answers may surprise us and how He does it may even escape our perception that He answered as He often uses people as His instruments to respond to our prayers. Tomorrow's reading: Mi 2.1-5

7.18.12 Lectio: Is 26.7-9, 12, 16-19 Meditatio: "As a woman about to give birth writes and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, O Lord." Is 7.17 Oratio: " O God, You are wonderful to us, but we are not always sure. I remember Your prophet, Isaiah, proclaimed very descriptively how we cried out to you - forgetting that You hear a whisper or even an unspoken thought. Grant that I may be ever mindful of Your divine providence and rejoice in it. I ask this an 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 "writhes"; contort, twist, involuntary contraction; in prayer thank God for His loving care and for the grace and always be conscious of it. Tomorrow's reading: Is 38.1-6,21-22, 7-8

7.17.12 Lectio: Is 10.5-7, 13b-16 Meditatio: "Will the axe boast against the him who hews it? Will the saw exalt itself above the one who wields tit? As if a rod could sway him how lifts it, or a staff him who is not wood? Is 1o0.15 Oratio:”O God, You use people and even nations to carry out Your will. I remember You used Assyria to bring Your chosen people back to their senses - but that did not make Assyria greater than you - only Your instrument. Grant that I may always remember You are the potter we are the clay, the work of Your hands and to allow You to mole us as You desire. 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 “cause and effect”; saws, rods, axes are instruments that bring about effects but their users are the cause because without a user these instruments remain inert and produce nothing. In prayer ask for the grace to be open to the instruments God uses to accomplish His will so as to please Him out of love rather than out of force. Tomorrow’s reading: Is 26.7-9, 12, 16-19 P.S. the pilgrimage to Poland was an awesome and inspiring one - and a successful one as we were able to obtain for the parish a first class relic of St. Faustina; and all of you were remembered in my daily masses.

7.09.12 Lectio: Hos 8.4-7,11-13 Meditatio: "With silver and gold they made idols for themselves to their own destruction.” Hos 8.4b Oratio:”O God, You watch over us and guide us - but we often ignore You. I remember Your prophet Hosea reminded Your chosen people that they made idols of silver and gold and worshiped them instead of You - to their destruction. Grant that I may realize the danger of putting things above You and realize they are helps for us to love and serve You and not ends in themselves. 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 “idol”; means “a god”; someone or some thing we worship other than the one true God, such as power, prestige, money and the like. In prayer ask for the grace to discern the true and highest good - God; and for the grace to see that other goods are only aids for us and not ends in themselves. Tomorrow’s reading: Hos 10.1-3,7-8,12

7.08.12 Lectio: Hos 2.16, 17b-18, 21-22 Meditatio: "On that day, says the Lord, She [Israel] shall call me, ‘my husband,’ and not ‘my baal’.” Hos 2. 18 Oratio:”O God, You are so gracious and so want an intimate relationship with us. I remember Your prophet Hosea declared that relationship of a spouse and not as a master. Grant that I may respond to with love and to others with mercy and justice, the fruits of 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 “baal”; means “master”; a the name given to a pagan god; in prayer thank God for loving us so and ask for the grace to be a person of love for all. Tomorrow’s reading: Hos 8.4-7,11-13

7.07.12 Lectio: Ez 2.2-5 Meditatio: "And whether they heed or resist - for they are a rebellions house - they shall know that a prophet has been among them.”Ez 2.5 Oratio:”O God, You know us and You love us even though we are rebellious. I remember Your prophet Ezekiel declared that You would continue to send prophets to us even though we obstinate and hard of heart. Grant that I may not heed or resist the voice of the prophets but act on their messages. 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 "heed or resist”; listen or tune out; impact or no effect; in prayer ask for the grace to listen to the prophetic voices God sends to us; and be pro-active in my response to his or her message. Tomorrow’s reading: Hos 2.16, 17b-18, 21-22

7.06.12 Lectio: Am 9.11-15 Meditatio: "I will plant them upon their own ground, never shall they be plucked from the land I have given them, say I, the Lord, your God.”Am 9.15 Oratio:”O God, You have provided so well for us. I remember Your prophet Amos proclaimed that You would plant Your people in a place that will never be taken away from them - Your kingdom. Grant that I may be ever grateful for the earth You have provided for me in the here and the now and for heaven which You have provided for us in the hereafter. 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 "plucked”; taken; picked; a people exiled by force; displaced; in prayer thank God for His loving care of us both now and forever; and may I be given the grace to do my part to build up His kingdom here on earth. Tomorrow’s reading: Ez 2.2-5

7.05.12 Lectio: Am 8.4-6, 9-12 Meditatio: "Yes, days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send famine upon the land. Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord.” Am 8.11 Oratio:”O God, how dense we are to Your ways and our true needs. I remember Your prophet Amos warned Your chosen people that their idolatrous ways would lead to the greatest of all famines - a deprivation of Your saving word. Grant that I may be ever grateful for hearing Your Word preached and may I always respond to it. 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 "famine”; major scarcity; physical - unproductive lands; spiritual - unproductive hearts; in prayer ask for the grace for a faith which is open to the Word of God and takes it in and produces the fruit that God wants of me. Tomorrow’s reading: Am 9.11-15

7.04.12 Lectio: Am 7.10-17 Meditatio: "To Amos, Amaziah said, ‘Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah. There earn your bread by prophesying’.” Am7. 12 Oratio:”O God, how hard of heart we can be to Your wishes. I remember Your prophet Amos was sent away by the priestly leader of Bethel because he was calling the people back to You and Your ways. Grant that I may recognize the prophets in my midst and heed them. 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 "prophet”; one who speaks to others about God and what they need to know about God and God’s will; our Pope, our bishops in union with the Pope. In prayer thank God for the prophetic voices of our times and for the grace to be listen and act. Tomorrow’s reading: Am 8.4-6, 9-12

7.03.12 Lectio: Am 5.14-15,21-24 Meditatio: "Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at your gate.” Am 5.15a Oratio:”O God, You have given us the way to eternal life with You. I remember Your prophet Amos proclaimed the twin keys to eternal life - love the good and practice justice. Grant that I may not be drawn by the apparent good and love only the real good and strive to live in right relationship with all. 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 the good”; real and not apparent good, goods that satisfy integral human fulfillment; IHF as our professor Grisez wrote, and seek the good that does fulfill and strive to live in right relationship with God, others and self for that is the meaning of justice. Tomorrow’s reading: Am 7.10-17

7.02.12 Lectio: Eph 2.19-22 Meditatio: "So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.” Eph 2.19 Oratio:”O God, You want all to be part of Your kingdom. I remember Paul wrote to the Ephesians stating that they were all members of the household of God - Jews and Gentiles alike. Grant that I may see that all are my brothers and sisters in Christ and treat them as family. 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 "sojourners”; to journey with but not part of the group; temporary connection; in prayer thank God for bringing all all people into His household and for the grace to be ever mindful that we are all one in Christ. Tomorrow’s reading: Am 5.14-15,21-24

7.01.12 Lectio: Amos 2.6-10, 13-16 Meditatio: "Thus says the Lord: For three crimes of Israel and for four, I will not revoke my word: Because they sell the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals.” Amos 2.6 Oratio: O God, You are so merciful and kind to us despite our depravity. I remember Your prophet Amos declared You would not revoke Your word to the chosen people despite the disdain they held the poor among them considering worth no more than a pair of sandals. Grant that I may strive to follow the way of the Lord and not presume on Your kindness but rely on Your mercy. 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 "pair of sandals;” basic footwear, inexpensive; in prayer ask for the grace to see in the poor Christ and always treat them with the greatest respect and kindness. Tomorrow’s reading: Eph 2.19-22