1.31.13

Lectio: :Mk 4.26-34

　

Meditatio: "Of its own accord the and yields fruit, first the blade, then the ears, then the grain in the ear." Mk 4.28

Oratio: "O God, You are the sower and You are the harvester of Your kingdom here on earth.

I remember Your Son told a parable about how the seed grows of its own power for which You are the source.

Grant that I may be open to the power You placed within my heart so that I may produce the fruit that You desire and 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 "seed;’ it must die to itself in order to unleash the power in it; so we must die to ourselves to allow God to accomplish His plans through us; in prayer ask for the grace to be open to God’s power at work in me so as to produce the fruit He desires.

Tomorrow's reading :Lk 22-40

1.30.13

Lectio: Mk 4.21-25
　

Meditatio: "He [Jesus] told them, ‘Take care of what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you’." Mk 4.24

Oratio: "O God, You are so generous and You want us to be generous, too!

I remember Your Son told His disciples that the measure they use to give to others is the measure with which will be applied to them by You.

Grant that I may be generous in he use of my time, talent and treasure for the good of others for that is what You want of 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 "measure"; a scoop, a ladle, a scale, an attitude; in prayer seek the grace for a generous heart so that I may live my life in accordance with God’s will.

Tomorrow's reading :Mk 4.26-34

1.29.13

Lectio: Mk 4.1-20

　

Meditatio: "but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit." Mk 4.19

Oratio: "O God, Your Son taught by word and example so as to bring us to faith and life with You.

I remember He told the parable of the sower and the seeds to make us think of His concern that things of this world would choke off the gift of faith He gives us and we would not bear the fruit He desires - selfless love.

Grant that I may have Your grace in rich abundance and respond to the gift of faith which has been implanted in me and live 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 "bear fruit"; produce the desired result; faith should produce our allegiance to God - first, others - second and self - third. It will if we keep faith alive in our hearts by living and loving as we ought.

Tomorrow's reading :Mk 4.21-25

1.28.13

Lectio: Mk 3.31-35

　

Meditatio: "[For] whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister and mother." Mk 3.35

Oratio: "O God, You want all of us to be close to Your Son.

I remember Jesus declared that whoever does Your will is brother, sister and mother to Him - you can’t get any closer!

Grant that I may have the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so as to discern Your will and then for the grace to do it for in doing so I will achieve what You desire for 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 "will of God"; His plans for us; His commands as revealed to us; in prayer seek the grace to live in accord with the great law of love for that will assure me that I am doing the Father’s will and I will achieve closeness to Jesus and my ultimate destiny -heaven.

Tomorrow's reading :Mk 4.1-20

1.27.13

Lectio: Mk 3.22-30
　

Meditatio: "He is possessed by Beelzebul,’ and "By the prince of demons, he casts out demons’." Mk 3.22

Oratio: "O God, how obstinate we are and how patient You are with us!

I remember the religious elite of Your chosen people declared that Your Son’s power to cast out demons came from the Prince of Demons - how incredulous their assertions were and they were obviously made so as to justify their unbelief in the face of self evident truth.

Grant that I may attribute to You that which You do or have done; and attribute to the Devil the evil past, present and to come for that alone is his domain.

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 "Beelzebul"; the name given to the devil himself; "the Prince of Flies"; how sacrilegious to attribute to Jesus His power as coming from the devil; that is why it is a sin that cannot be forgiven because one who holds this, denies God and to seek forgiveness we have to asks of it from God. In prayer seek the grace to see things for what they are and especially to see and attribute to God, His works and His blessings.

Tomorrow's reading :Mk 3.31-35

1.26.13

Lectio: Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
　

Meditatio: "He [Jesus] said to them, ‘today, this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing’.’ Lk 4.21

Oratio: "O God, You so wanted Your chosen people to accept the Good News!

I remember Your Son proclaimed in the synagogue of His home town after first performing many miracles in Galilee that He was the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah found at Is 61.1-2; and yet they rejected Him because they knew his earthly origin and rejected what was very plain - that He indeed was the fulfillment of their expectations - how tragic for them.

Grant that I may be open to Your ways and to Your revelations which have been preserved by the Church and which the Church throughout the ages continues to prolaim in Your Son’s name.

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 "fulfilled";come to pass; completed; Jesus completed all that Isaiah foretold about Him;; in prayer may I always be docile as to that which is divine and be a faithful proclaimer of the Good News as revealed.

Tomorrow's reading :Mk 3.22-30

1.25.13

Lectio: Mk 3:20-21


Meditatio: "When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, ' He is  out of his mind'."  Mk 3.21

Oratio: "O God, You know how much Your Son loves us!

I remember not only did Your Son heal but He readily exhausted Himself in the process so much so that His relatives thought He was out of His mind!

Grant that I may realize the power of Your son flows from His great love ant that His love knows no bounds.

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 "out of his mind"; mentally unstable, crazy, maidenly in love; in prayer thank Jesus for loving us so! May we love others with out counting the costs.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

P.S. I am sending this out early as I am going to DC early tomorrow morning for the March for Life.
Please pray for the Gospel of Life.

1/24/13

Lectio: : Mk 16:15-18

Meditatio: "He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.’." Mk 16.15

Oratio: "O God, Your Good News is for everyone!

I remember Your Son commissioned His disciples to go out to the whole world and proclaim the good news to everyone - how generous, kind and wonderful!

Grant that I may do my part to spread the Good News by living in accordance with the Gospel.

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 "proclaim"; to make known, to publicize; by word, by deeds, by both; in prayer thank God for the early disciples and their successors who proclaimed the good news for we are beneficiaries of their doing so; and in prayer seek the grace to proclaim the Good News to those whose lives we touch so that they, too, will come to know and love You and believe and be saved.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.20-21

1.22.13

Lectio: Mk 3.1-6

Meditatio: "Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he [Jesus] said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.. He stretched out his hand and his hand was restored’." Mk 3. 5

O God, You gave us the ability to love so that we could imitate You for You are Love.

I remember the religious elite would not allow "love" to guide their interpretations of the Law and prohibited healing on the Sabbath declaring it work; and plotted to put Jesus to death for healing on the Sabbath..

Grant that I may never harden my heart with legalism but keep it soft with 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 "hardness of heart"; unfeeling; stubborn, unloving. In prayer seek the grace for a heart filled with love and always allow love to guide our actions for all of the laws and the prophets are summed up in the great Law of love.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.7-12

P.S. Today is the National Day of Prayer for the Protection of the unborn. Do pray that the evil of abortion may soon be history and the life of the unborn as well as the life of all be respected and cherished.

1.21.13

Lectio: Mk 2.23-28

Meditatio: "The he [Jesus] said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’.’ Mk 2.27

O God, how often we make foolish rules for in our thoughtless ways we think we are pleasing You. .

I remember the religious elite had interpreted Your commandment to keep Holy the Sabbath day so rigidly that they forgot its purpose and by the time of Christ, even working a cure on the Sabbath or feeding one’s hunger was considered work.

Grant that I may be ever mindful of Your Son’s pronouncement that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.

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 "Sabbath "; the day prescribed for rest; unnecessary work is prohibited; the rest is for the benefit of man so as to refresh his mental, physical and most importantly his spiritual state. It is not an absolute command, In prayer thank God for commanding that we take period days to refresh ourselves and may we always use the Sabbath rest wisely.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.1-6

1.20.13

Lectio: Mk 2.18-22

Meditatio: "Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins." Mk 2.22

O God, Your Son brought to us a new way of relating to You.

I remember He told the religious elite of His days that the Good News needed to be poured into new wineskins - indicating that the old ways of relating to You are no longer the way of doing so.

Grant that I may be always open to the many ways in which You to be honored especially by keeping 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 "new wineskins "; if you poured new wine into old wineskins, the skins would burst and the new wine would be lost; that is why this is an apt metaphor for the need to have new ways of relating to the Father; in prayer remember that Jesus said that the whole law and the prophets are summed up in Love of God and others and yourself and then love and I will please God.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.23-28

1.19.13

Lectio: : Jn 2.1-11

Meditatio: "He [Jesus] did this in the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him." Jn 2.11

O God, You know how hard it is for us to recognize You and so You have made it very easy for us at times.

I remember Your Son changed water into wine at a wedding in Cana and so revealed Himself to us.

Grant that I may be always open to the many ways in which You make Yourself known for You do so for our good.

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 "self revelation "; an action which reveals the nature of the actor; changing water into wine is a divine action beyond the power of humans; the daily changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ at the consecration is also a divine act for it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that the change in substance occurs and the change is for our good for it means Jesus is with us in a real, personal and loving way. In prayer thank God for giving us the Eucharist and approach it regularly for Jesus will be with you in a real way for your good..

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.18-22

1.18.13

Lectio: : Mk 2:13-17

Meditatio: "as he [Jesus] passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the custom post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him." Mk 2.14

O God, how gracious and merciful You are to us.

I remember Your Son called a tax collector to be one of His closest disciple and Levi responded and followed Him.

Grant that I may never judge another for only You know their interior state and their future.

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 "custom post"; tax collectors at the time of Christ, paid a lump sum for their custom post; anything they collected was theirs; no wonder extortion was a common practice; no wonder the people branded collectors sinners; but what a wonder that Jesus saw the potential for good and invited Levi to follow Him and to his credit, Levi did.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 2.1-11

1.17.13

Lectio: Mk 2:1-12

Meditatio: "he [Jesus] said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home’." Mk 2.11

O God, we are so thick and slow to comprehend!

I remember Your Son had already cured many before the paralytic’s four friends brought him to you and Your Son’s first reaction was to forgive him of his sins - and the religious leaders all cried out blasphemy!

Grant that I may imitate Your Son’s patience with them, for He then healed the man, to show He had divine authority - yet the religious leaders would soon forget and sought His death.

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 sins"; only God has this power; Jesus showed that He was God in the healing miracle of the paralytic and He forgave the man without the man even asking for it - how merciful is our God! In prayer may I always be mindful of Your mercy and readily seek it whenever I have the misfortune of sinning.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2:13-17

1.16.13

Lectio: Mk 1:40-45

Meditatio: "Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it, Be made clean." Mk 1.41

O God, you are not cold and aloof, but you feel our pain.

I remember Your Son, moved by the faith of the leper, healed him - how awesome!

Grant that I may imitate the faith of the leper and turn to You in my need knowing your are kind and compassionate.

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 "pity"; an emotional feeling for a misfortune of another; in prayer ask for the grace to not only feel for the pain of another, but do something constructive about it.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2:1-12

01/15/13

Lectio: Mk 1.29-39 Meditatio: "Rising very early before dawn, he [Jesus] left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.." Mk 1.35

Oratio: "O God, it is so important that we stay in touch with You and to do so by prayer.

I remember Your Son throughout His public ministry would take time out to pray and to seek quiet and private space to do so.
Grant that I may always remember the importance of prayer and to be sure to put time in my daily schedule for 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 "deserted place"; a place where there is no distractions; a room in which no one is there and no radio or TV is on; ; in prayer thank the Heavenly Father for giving us the ability to lift up our hearts and minds in prayer and to do so routinely as it is so important for our spiritual health.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.40-45

01/14/13

Lectio: Mk 1.21b-28 Meditatio: "The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Mk 1.22

 Oratio: "O God, throughout the ages You revealed to Your people Your desires by sending Your prophets to them to speak on Your behalf.

I remember in the fullness of time You sent Your Son, who is the greatest of all prophets, and the people immediately recognized that He taught with authority - Yours!
Grant that I may always respond to Jesus’ teachings as guarded and proclaimed by the Church today.
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 "not as the scribes"; the scribes had to rely and would cite the authority of scripture or other well known teachers as the basis of their teachings; while Jesus simply taught based on His own authority; in prayer thank the Heavenly Father for sending us Jesus so that we would know what we must do to successfully complete our journey back to Him and with Your grace do it..

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.29-39

01/13/13

Lectio: Mk 1.14-20

Meditatio: "After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God." Mk 1.14

Oratio: "O God, You sent prophets throughout the ages and we soon forgot their messages to our detriment but You did not want us to perish.

I remember in the fullness of time You sent Your Son and He proclaimed the gospel of God - how fortunate for us!
Grant that I may always respond to the Gospel as Jesus’ first disciples did and follow it unreservedly.
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 "gospel of God"; the Good News; that Jesus came to proclaim that death no longer had power over us and that if we accept Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life, we will have eternal life; in prayer grant that I may accept Jesus and His ways and do so by living in accordance with the great Law of Love!

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.21b-28

01/12/13

Lectio: Lk 3.15-22

Meditatio: "After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and praying, the heaven was opened." Lk 3.21

Oratio: "O God, what a great endorsement You gave to Your Son at his Baptism in the Jordan!

I remember the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended upon Him and You declared, He was Your beloved Son.
Grant that I may always rejoice in my baptism through which You favored me with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and adopting me as Your child as You do for all the Baptized.
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 "Jesus...baptized"; John, the Baptist, baptized Him in the Jordan and He did not need to be baptized but in doing so showed His solidarity with us; and He in turns baptizes us with water and the Holy Spirit and we become members of His immediate family - what a great gift to all of us!
Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.14-20

01/11/13

Lectio: Jn 3.22-30

Meditatio: "He must increase. I must decrease." Jn 3.30

Oratio: "O God, Your prophets always served You well.

I remember Your prophet, John the Baptist, refused the honor of being like Your Son even though he had the popularity among the people and declared to his followers that he must decrease while Jesus must increase!
Grant that I may imitate the humility of John the Baptist and never feign what I am not!
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 "best man"; the one who stands and support the bridegroom; John the Baptist was the best man; he relished his role and supported Jesus, the bridegroom in every way and his joy was complete. In prayer seek the virtues of humility and integrity and like John, my joy in this life and in the next will be complete.
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 3.15-22

01/10/13

Lectio: Lk 5.12-16

Meditatio: "but he [Jesus] would withdraw to deserted places to pray." Lk 5.16

Oratio: "O God, prayer is so important for us and for our relationship with You.

I remember Your Son gave us good example as He would periodically withdraw and pray to You.
Grant that I may imitate You Son’s ways and periodically pray to You for You are my lover and my All and You deserve my attention and adulation.


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 "pray"; lifting up of our hearts and minds to God; vocal or mental or a combination ; God is the object although we can also pray to the saints and our departed loved ones knowing that they then intercede for us to God on our behalf.
Tomorrow's reading: Jn 3.22-30

01/9/13

Lectio: Lk 4.14-22a
Meditatio: "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and new of Him spread throughout the whole region." Lk 4.14

Oratio: "O God, You not only sent Your Son to us but You also sent Your Spirit so that we would be receptive to Your Son - How concerned You are for our welfare!

I remember the Evangelist, Luke, recorded that as Your Son began His public ministry, He did so in the power of the Spirit - How You must love us!
Grant that I may be ever mindful of the gift of Your Spirit which You gave me at my baptism and live my life in accordance with His promptings.
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"; third person of the Trinity; God’s presence in the world; proceeds from the Father and the Son and is equal in power and majesty; in prayer thank God for not leaving us orphans when His Son returned to Him but continues to send His Spirit for our welfare; may we always listen to Him.
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 5.12-16

01/8/13

Lectio: Mk 6.45-52
Meditatio: "They [Disciples] had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened."Mk 6.52

Oratio: "O God, You manifest Yourself to us in many ways - but often we are blind.

I remember the Evangelist, Mark, recorded that Your Son’s closest disciples did not understand the revelatory message in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves; nor did they comprehend when Your Son walked on water - thinking they were seeing a Ghost!
Grant that I may be aware of the many ways You reveal Yourself to us and especially in the selfless love with which we are surrounded, for Your are Love.
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 "hearts,,,hardened"; totally missed the point; non-comprehended; in prayer thank God for being near to us and for never abandoning us; may I always recognize Him in the others in my life; and carry out my Baptismal responsibility and be Christ for others.
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 4.14-22a

01/7/13

Lectio: Mk 6.34-44
Meditatio: "He [Jesus] said to them [His disciples] in reply, ‘Give them some food yourselves.’ But they said to him, ‘Are we go buy two hundred days worth of food to them to eat’?" Mk 6.37

Oratio: "O God, You watch over us with loving care but You do expect us to be helpful to those in need around us..

I remember when Your Son’s disciples wanted Him to dismiss the crowd (5000 men) to get food for themselves, Your Son told them to ‘give them some food yourselves.’ But all His disciples could see the cost and their meager resources.
Grant that we may respond to the need around us even if our resources are too meager to fully respond, whether God will work a miracle, is up to God, but in a real sense a miracle has already occurred in our willingness to respond with limited resources.
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 "crowd"; demographers estimate that their would have been 8000 women and children in addition to the 5000 men and so the miracle of feeding the crowd takes on even greater magnitude. In prayer seek the Lord in your need and do what you are able, that is all He expects of You, and in His loving care He will provide for He loves us with an everlasting love.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 6.45-52

 
01/6/13
Lectio: Mt 4.12-17, 23-25
Meditatio: "The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." Mt 4. 16

Oratio: "O God, You know our great sadness at the death of a loved one - and You provided a wonderful consolation.

I remember You revealed and Your Evangelist, Matthew, recorded for us that Your Son had come and He was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, that He would now be a Light for those who dwell in the darkness of death - And what a light He was for He provided the light of the resurrection and life everlasting for us.
Grant that we may always remember as we properly mourn the death of a love one - that death is not the last word; but life with You is - thanks to 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 "overshadowed by death"; the emotional darkness that overcomes us with the death of a loved one; before Christ, the only consolation was that the deceased would be remembered; with Christ, our departed loved ones now live on for all eternity in everlasting peace, joy and love.
Tomorrow's reading: Mk 6.34-44    

P.S. Our former pastor  here, Father Bill Joseph, died this morning at 2:30. Please keep all who know  him and miss in In your prayers.

01/5/13

Lectio: Mt 2.1-13
Meditatio: "and on entering the house, they [Magi[ saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage." Mt 2.11

Oratio: "O God, how wonderful are Your ways.

I remember You revealed to the Wisemen from the East the birth of Your Son by a new star in the heaven and they recognized it for what it revealed; and they followed the star and Your Son was manifested to them when they arrived in Bethlehem.
Grant that I may always recognize that the Eucharist is Your present star for us for the Eucharist is Your very 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 "prostrated"; to lie down before a person with awe and reverence; a greeting for royalty; and the gifts the Magi left for the baby were symbols of his role and very valuable. In prayer thank God for the richest of all gifts and sign of His Son - the Eucharist and receive it frequently and be Eucharist for others.
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 4.12-17, 23-25

01/04/13

Lectio: Jn 1.43-51
Meditatio: "Nathaniel said to him [Jesus], ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus said, ‘Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree’." Jn 1.48

Oratio: "O God, You offer us grace upon grace so that we will be opened to Your will and do it.

I remember Nathaniel walked in Your ways before Jesus called him for he was a man of peace.
Grant that I may always be a peaceful person who brings Your peace to unsettling situations.
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 "fig tree"; a symbol of Messianic peace; the peace of Christ; the greatest peace; God’s peace; in prayer thank God for the many examples of peaceful persons so that we may learn how to be an instrument of Your peace and then be a source of peace to others.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 2.1-13

01/03/13

Lectio: Jn 1.35-42
Meditatio: "The two disciples heard what he [John, the Baptist] said, and followed Jesus." Jn 1.37

Oratio: "O God, You know how important it is for our well being that we have reliable testimony of You so as to live rightly;

I remember John the Baptist pointed out Your Son to two of His first disciples and they immediately followed Him - how wonderful for them, how wonderful for Peter who was the next to follow because of the testimony of his brother, Andrew; and how wonderful for their testimony which led to so many following Your Son.
Grant that I may give witness to the Lamb of God by the live I live so others may come to know and to love Him and serve Him - May God be praised!


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 "followed"; to accept the path of the leader and abandon your own path; to accept Jesus as the leader for our salvation and live in accordance with His teachings so that we and others may be drawn to Him and be saved through Him.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.43-51

01/02/13

Lectio: Jn 1.29-34
Meditatio: "The next day hd [John, the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world’." Jn 1.29

Oratio: "O God, You did not leave it to chance our recognition of Your Son as the Savior, but sent prophets to prepare us for His coming.

I remember the greatest prophet You sent was John the Baptist who declared to his followers that Your Son was the Lamb of God.
Grant that I may always praise Your prophets and especially John the Baptist, for their roles in revealing Your Son to us or for preparing us for 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 "Lamb of God"; the Christ, the Sacrifice for our sins; the Son of God, the Lamb of the Book of Revelation; in prayer thank God for sending His Son to us and making it so easy for us to recognize Him, who came as one of us, to save us and give eternal life.
Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.35-42

01/01/13

Lectio: Jn 1.19-28
Meditatio: "he [John, the Baptist] admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, ‘I am not the Messiah’." Jn 1.20

Oratio: "O God, in the fullness of time You sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Your Son’s coming.

I remember John made it clear to the religious elite that he was not the Messiah but was preparing the way for the Messiah’s coming.

Grant that I may always hold John the Baptist in highest honor for revealing His identity and resisting the temptation to be someone whom he was not.
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 "Messiah"; the anointed One; the Christ, the long awaited savior; in prayer thank John the Baptist and all are forefathers in faith for clearly identifying Jesus for us so that we too could come to believe and have life in Him.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.29-34

P.S. A happy, holy and healthy New Year! To you and to your loved ones.