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


 
 

10.18.12

Lectio:Eph 1.11-14 Meditatio: "so we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ."
Eph 1.12

Oratio: "O God, how gracious of You for creating us - may we show our gratitude in return.

I remember Paul wrote to the Ephesians that all exist to give You praise for Your glory.

Grant that I may ever grateful for creating me and show that gratitude by acts of worship and submitting my will to Yours.
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 "exist"; state of being; human beings exist for God’s glory; in prayer thank God for creating us, for redeeming us and for loving us; and for the grace to reflect that gratitude by loving Him to the best of our ability.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 1.15-23

10.17.12

Lectio:  2 Tm 4.10-17b                                          
Meditatio: ": " but The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that, through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it." 2 Tm 4.17a-b

Oratio: "O God, You do not leave us alone in carrying out Your missions.

I remember Paul acknowledged it was You who was with him as he carried out his work for the Gentiles.

Grant that I may always remember Your presence and that You stand with me when I do 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 "proclamation"; to make it known; a formal announcement; in prayer thank God for those missionaries through whom we received the Good News; and may I willingly preach the Good News to those who lives I touch.

Tomorrow's reading: Eph 1.11-14

10.16.12

Lectio: Gal 5.18-25                                                                                                                                                                                        Meditatio: "In contrast [to the works of the flesh], the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Gal 5.22-23

Oratio: " O God, You not only gave us Your Spirit but You gave us through the Spirit wonderful growth.

I remember Paul enumerated for the Galatians the fruits of Your Spirit, beginning with ‘love’ and ending with ‘self-control’ - and how wonderful the impact of these fruits on our lives and on the lives of others through us.

Grant that I may allow the Spirit to have full sway in my life so that the fruits offered by the Spirit may 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 "fruits": the end-purpose of growth; the produce of a seed; in prayer ask for the grace to be fertile soil for the Holy Spirit so that the Spirit’s presence in me will result in the fruits the Spirit desires for all of us; and then for the grace to use these fruits for service to God and to those whose lives I touch.

Tomorrow's reading: 2 Tm 4.10-17b

10.15.12

Lectio: Gal 5.1-6

Meditatio: "For in Jesus Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." Gal 5.6
             
Oratio: " O God, with You it is the heart that counts and not externals.

I remember Paul told the Galatians that is only through faith working through love that we are saved.

Grant that I may reflect my faith in You by selfless love of my neighbors.
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"; belief based on a confident hope; pro-active; selfless love of God, others, self; leads to righteousness; in prayer thank God for revealing Himself through His Son and for the grace to express my belief with selfless love - so that I may attain the goal God wants for all of us - eternal life.

Tomorrow's reading: Gal 5.18-25

10.14.12

Lectio: Gal 4.22-24,26-27.31-5.1

Meditatio: "For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to slavery." Gal 5.1

Oratio: " O God, how wonderfully You made us and how wonderfully we have been recreated through Your Son.

I remember Christ set us free from the Mosaic Law so that we might enjoy the freedom of the Great Law of Love.

Grant that I may follow the Law of Love and basks in its true freedom all my days.
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 "freedom"; not constrained; ability to act and do what I will; in prayer thank God for the freedom I enjoy by virtue of the great Law of Love and then for the grace to follow it all my days and enjoy true freedom.

Tomorrow's reading: Gal 5.1-6

10.13.12

Lectio: Wis 7.7-11

Meditatio: "I preferred her [Wisdom] to scepter and throne. And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her." Wis 7.7

Oratio: " O God, You are All-Wise and You willing share wisdom with us.

I remember the author of the Book of Wisdom extolled the virtue of Wisdom and its pricelessness.

Grant that I may prefer wisdom above all so that I may know rightly and act justly; in prayer ask for the gift of wisdom, a gift of the Holy Spirit, and then for the grace to let wisdom be my guide 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 "Wisdom"; a gift of the Holy Spirit; the ability to discern the truth and the right way to act; more valuable than anything else; in prayer ask God for the gift of Wisdom and then use that gift as He intended it and my life will be pleasing to Him which is all that really matters.

Tomorrow's reading: Gal 4.22-24,26-27.31-5.1

10.12.12

Lectio: Gal 3.22-29

Meditatio: "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ." Gal 3.27

Oratio: " O God, You created us and Your Son redeemed us and recreated us.

I remember Paul told the Galatians that through baptism we are clothed with Christ - we receive His very life - How great! How undeserving! How wonderful!

Grant that I may be ever thankful to You for sending Jesus to us and that Jesus gifted us with His very life through baptism which He commissioned His followers to do for all people and for all nations.
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 "Baptism"; a sacrament; forgiveness of original sin; newness of life; divine life, adoption as God’s children; in prayer thank God that we are wonderfully made and wonderfully recreated through Jesus by virtue of the Baptism He gave us; and then to live the divine potential that is given us in this sacrament by living a life of selfless love - for God is love and we best image Him in how we love.
Tomorrow's reading: Wis 7.7-11

10.11.12

Lectio: Gal 3.7-14 
Meditatio: "Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree’." Gal 3.13

Oratio: " O God, Your ways are not our ways - but they are for our good!

I remember Your Son died on a cross for us so that Your Spirit could come upon us through faith and not by the observance of the Mosaic Law.

Grant that I may be ever grateful to Jesus for His great sacrificial love for us and to show my gratitude by a pro-active faith 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 "ransomed"; to pay a price; to set free from the Evil One; for us; in prayer thank Jesus for His great love for us and for ransoming us from the evil one so that we might live in freedom from the Mosaic law and live in faith as God’s children; and then to live as His brother or sister.
Tomorrow's reading: Gal 3.22-29

10.10.12

Lectio:  Gal 3.1-5
Meditatio: "I want to learn from you,: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?" Gal 3.2

             
Oratio: " O God, how gracious of You to send Your Spirit after Christ ascended to You.

I remember Peter forcefully told the Galatians that Your Spirit was given to them not through the Law of Moses but through faith in Your Son.

Grant that I may rejoice that God’s Spirit is with us all our days.
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 "Spirit"; God’s presence in the world, the third person of the Trinity; in prayer thank God for the gift of faith and to rejoice always that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us.

Tomorrow's reading: Gal 3.7-14

10.09.12

Lectio: Gal 2.1-2,7-14

Meditatio: "Only, we were to be mindful of the poor, which is the very thing I [Paul] was eager to do." Gal 2.14

Oratio: " O God, from the very beginning of the New Way You provided a means of certainty in resolving disputes about right practices - Councils of church leaders.

I remember the first council was held in Jerusalem and it decided that circumcision would not be imposed on followers of the New Way;

Grant that I may rejoice in the fact that we have Councils of our church leaders and that we have Your imprimatur on what they decide.
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:  flect on "councils"; formal church meetings of its bishops and Cardinals with the Pope; local or ecumenical; in prayer thank God for providing certainty in what we should believe or do for our faith is a living faith and new concerns arise from time to time. Ask, too, for the grace to be docile to the teachings of these Councils and to always be mindful of the poor and their needs.
Tomorrow's reading: Gal 3.1-5

10.07.12 Lectio: Gal 1.6-12 Meditatio: “Now I [Paul] want you to know, brothers, that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin.” Gal 1.11 Oratio: " O God, You wanted us to know Your will and Your way back to You. I remember You had the Good News preached to us by the Apostles and their successors and in a very special way by Paul. Grant that I may be ever grateful to the Apostolic teachings that have been passed down to us through the past 2000 years and which have been guarded and their authenticity kept by the Popes and the bishops in union with the Popes. 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 "Good News”; origin in Jesus Christ; Divine; in prayer thank God for His Word which has been passed down to us through the ages with faithfulness; and seek the grace to put the Good News into practice in my life for that is the Way You have deigned for us. Tomorrow's reading: Gal 1.13-24

10.06.12 Lectio: : Gn 2.18-24 Meditatio: “The Lord said, ‘It is not good for man to live alone. I will make a suitable partner for him’.” Gn 2.18 Oratio: " O God, You made us as social beings because our final destiny it to be with You as part of the Trinitarian family. I remember You created a woman to be a partner, not a servant, not a slave for a man so that there would be true unity and community in their relationship. Grant that I may always respect the other as our destiny is to be in full communion with each other and with You in 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 "partner”; an equal; full rights and full responsibilities; in prayer thank God for making human beings - both female and male - as equals so that true love and true communion will be enjoyed here on earth as a foretaste of heaven. Tomorrow's reading: Gal 1.6-12

10.05.12 Lectio: Jb 42.1-3,5-6,12-17 Meditatio: “After this, Job lived one hundred and forty years, and he saw his children,k grandchildren and even his great grandchildren. Then he died full of years.” Jb 42.16,17 Oratio: " O God, You bless us beyone all expectations. I remember Job was blest with seeing his children’s grandchildren and with properity beyond anyone’s imagination Grant that I may learn the lesson of Job that You are always there even in the darkest moments of our lives and that in the end You will bless us beyond any right on our part because You are such a great and loving God. 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 "full of years”; very old, 140 years was double the life span of the time; in prayer thank God for revealing to us even in ancient times for being with us even in our greatest sorrows and loss and pray for the grace of a grateful heart and a loving heart. Tomorrow's reading: Gn 2.18-24

10.04.12 Lectio: Jb 38.1,12-21; 40.3-5 Meditatio: “Behold, I [Job] am of little account; what can I answer you? Jb 40.4 Oratio: " O God, You know we will be confronted with major questions in life for which we cannot determine Why - and You want us to trust in You in such times. I remember Your sage, Job, realized this after contemplating his undeserved suffering and after listening to suggestions of others as to why - that only You can answer the why. Grant that in times of great suffering or tragedy, that I may simply ponder what to do now and follow the promptings of my guardian angel, and leave the why to God. s. 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 "little account”; humanity versus divinity; finite versus infinite; in prayer ask for the grace of contentment with who I am and let God be God. Tomorrow's reading: Jb 42.1-3,5-6,12-17

10.03.12 Lectio: Jb 19.21-27 Meditatio: “my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him." Jb 19.27a Oratio: " O God, You have wonderfully made us and prepared a wonderful future for us. I remember Your sage, Job, declared You were there for him and o e day he will see You with his own eyes-how awesome! Grant that I may rejoice for You are a living God who cares dearly about me. O God, You are so far above us - yet You deign to listen 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 "behold"; to see, to PBS present; in prayer thank God that my final destiny is to be with Him as one of His children forever. Tomorrow's reading: Jb 38.1,12-21; 40.3-5

10.02.12 Lectio: Jb 9.1-12,14-16 Meditatio: “If I appealed to him [God] and he answered my call, I could not believe he would hearken to my words.” Jb 9.16 Oratio: " O God, You are so far above us - yet You deign to listen to us. I remember Job pondered this and he only partially believed this for Job concluded that You respond to him - He would only later on come to know that You are always there for him. Grant that I may ever rejoice in such a gracious God that You are, who watches over us and who listens to us and wants us to turn to 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 "hearken;” listen, proactive response; in prayer thank God for always listening to my requests and for the grace to always accept His answers which at times will be “No.” Tomorrow's reading: Jb 19.21-27

10.01.12 Lectio: Jb 3.1-3,11-17,20-23 Meditatio: “Men whose path is hidden from them and whom God has hemmed in.” Jb 3.23 Oratio: " O God, You know that at times we will be deeply troubled in spirit and we will be unable to comprehend our present situation - but You gave us the wisdom of Job to help us cope. I remember Job was deeply depressed because he could not understand his undeserved suffering, and he wished to die. Grant that I may always realize as Job came to realize that You are present to us in our suffering, that You will always listen to us, that You may sometimes heal us, but that You are always share in our burden and in that sharing our burden becomes bearable. 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 "hemmed in;” boxed; encircled; limited; in prayer give thanks for Your always being present to us and that no matter how rough the road we are on at any particular time, that You will see us through if we simply are mindful of You and turn to You. Tomorrow's reading: Jb 9.1-12,14-16