Lectio: 7.31.13

Mt 13.47-53                                                    

Meditatio: "The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind." Mt 13:47

Oratio: O God, You want all to return to You at the end of their earthly time.
I remember Your Son made Your desire known when He declared the kingdom collects fish of  every kind.
Grant that I may never prejudge the flotsam I may find around, for he or she may very well be the next saint.I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect on "net ...sea"; a fishing net is unthinking and does not discriminate between what it takes in when cast; similar God does not discriminate when He made the world and His Net will collect all who do His Will. In prayer seek the grace to know His Will and to do it and refrain from judging others.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13:54-58

Lectio 7.30.13

Lectio: 7.30.13

Mt 13.44-46                                                    

Meditatio: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy sells all that he has and buys that field.” Mt 13.44                                           
Oratio:"O  God, what great things You have done for us and what even greater things You have in store for us.

I remember Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom is like a treasure which when found, we do all that is possible to possess it,  for it is a source of great and lasting joy!

Grant that I may always treasure the Good News and adhere to it so that the joy of Your kingdom may be a joy I ultimately share.

I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you.

Operatio: "treasure....joy”; God’s kingdom - its existence and the way to it Jesus  revealed; it is there for our seeking it; may I have the grace to endure and do what is ever necessary to attain to it for it is the only source of lasting joy and it is worth more than any other thing I might desire.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.47-53         

Lectio: 7.29.13

Mt 13.36-43                                        

Meditatio: "He [Jesus] said in reply,’He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one’.” Mt 13.37-38

Oratio:"O  God, You are so kind to us as to give us life and hope.

I remember Your Son declared that the children of the Kingdom are the good seed which He sowed in this world - and He does time and time again through baptism.

Grant that I may be ever grateful for the good seed He has planted in me and may I bear the fruit that He expects of His brothers and sisters.

I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you.

Operatio: "good seed...weeds”; members of the Kingdom here on earth but only those who produce the good fruit will be members of the everlasting kingdom. In prayer ask and apply the grace to live out my baptismal dignity and I will bear the fruit that Jesus expects and deserves.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.44-46         

Lectio: 7.28.13

Jn 11: 19-27                           

Meditatio: "Jesus told her,’I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, even if he dies, will live’.” Jn 11.25

Oratio:"O  God, how gracious and generous of You to give us everlasting life for so little on our part and for something that is so meaningful for us.

I remember Jesus told us that He is the resurrection and the life and if we believe in Him, even if we die, we will live - what a wonderful and great reward for simply accepting the gift of faith that God offers us.

Grant that I may be ever grateful for the gift of faith from God  and to those through whom I was exposed and brought to faith; and no matter the difficultly I face, to be always firmly with conviction say, ‘I believe, help my unbelief’.

Contemplatio: "believe...die...live”; death is not the end but the beginning of life everlasting for those who believe in Jesus; in prayer seek the grace to be always steadfast in my faith and to show it by living in accord with Jesus directive - the Great Law of Love - which Martha, whose memorial we celebrate on July 29th did and which she showed by her great hospitality.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.36-43

Lectio 7.27.13

Lk 11.1-13                

Meditatio: "He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come.” Lk 11.2

Oratio:"O  God, Your Son taught us how to pray and how beautiful and to the point the prayer He gave us.

I remember He told us to address You as our Father - what a privilege and how easy You made it for us to approach You with confidence.

Grant that I may be ever mindful that You are not a remote and uncaring God, but a personal God who is our Daddy for that is what Jesus called His Father and our Father; and then give You praise and loving obedience.

Contemplatio: "pray...Father"; a prayer - a lifting up of our hearts and minds to God and in an intimate way for God is our Daddy.  Seek the grace to pray with fervor and love often for that is how our Father in Heaven wants us to approach Him and allow God to answer our prayers on His timetable and allow God to give us a “No!” as an answer for He knows best..

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 11: 19-27

Lectio: 7.26.13

Lectio: Mt 13:24-30

Meditatio: "He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest'." Mt 13.29-30a

Oratio:"O  God, You are so kind and merciful!
I remember You son made this clear in the parable about an enemy sowing weeds amongst the weeds and He instructed the workers to wait until harvest tine before pulling them up and we all know that Jesus has the power to bring about a change at the very core.
Grant that I may be ever mindful that God is kind and merciful and pray incessantly for myself and for those whose lives I touch to become what God desires of us - true and devoted children of His.

Contemplatio: "spend some time and reflect on "weeds...wheat"; the bad and the good; God has the power to bring about a change at the very substance of our being if we are open to Him; in prayer seek the grace for self and for those whose lives we touch to be always open to God's will.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.1-13

Lectio: 7.25.13:

Mt 13.16-17                      

Meditatio:"But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and you ears, because they hear.”
 Mt 13.16 

Oratio: O God, You have graciously revealed Your Son and His Good News to us.

I remember He declared and it is so wonderful for us that we have seen and we have heard the Good News proclaimed.


Grant that I may ever rejoice in the privilege of being a disciple of the Lord’s and to do my part to spread the Good News to others for that is the least I can do to show my gratitude.

Operatio: reflect on”blessed...see...hear”; the privilege of discipleship; to recognize Christ in the other; to proclaim that Christ died, that He rose and that He will come again and in the meantime that we are to spread the Good News so that others will come to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him in the next.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.24-30      

Lectio: 7.24.13

Lectio: 7.24.13:

 Mt 20.20-28     

Meditatio:"Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.”Mt 20.26.b           
Oratio: O God, You know we all have a desire to achieve and to be great; but You know the danger of such a tendency and so Your Son gave us great advice.

I remember He told His disciples that to achieve greatness they must be servants to those they serve and He showed this by His example of His public ministry and His death for our salvation!

Grant that I may remember and act on this sound advice and for the grace to willingly and without complaining to serve the needs of others to the extent I am able.

Operatio: reflect on”great...servant”; ambition is not good but it can be bad if it is sought for one’s personal aggrandizement; servant is at the beckon call of those to whom he is a servant; Jesus gave us the example for He came to serve and not to be served. Seek the grace to willingly served the needs of others and let that be your prime motive for acting.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.16-17      

Lectio 7.23.13

Lectio: 7.23.13:

 Mt 13.1-9       

Meditatio:"And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow.” Mt 13.3              

Oratio: O God, Your Son spoke to us in parables so that we might think of what He is saying and put it into action for our good.

I remember Your Son told the parable of the sower of seeds to illustrate the various ways in which the Good News would be received.

Grant that I may accept the Good News with a total openness to it for that is best for me and best for others.


Operatio: reflect on”parable”; a teaching story; its meaning is not found in the surface line of the story but in the underlying meaning; in prayer seek the grace to recognize the point(s) Jesus made with His parables and then put those points into action for my good and for the good of others.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 20.20-28

Lectio 7.22.13

Lectio: 7.22.13:

 Mt 12.46-50

Meditatio:"For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and my mother.” Mt 12.50             

Oratio: O God, You so want us to have a close relationship with You.

I remember Your Son declared that if we do Your will, we become a brother and sister and even a mother to Him. What an intimate relationship we are offered.

Grant that I may accept Your grace and always do Your will so that I may become a true child of Yours.

Operatio: reflect on”does....will”; the desires of another dictates your actions; the desire of the Heavenly Father that we love God and others with our whole being as we love ourselves, is what He wants of us; in prayer seek the grace to abide always in accordance with the Great Law of Love and we can rightly cry out ‘Abba!’ for that is what He wants to be for us.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.1-9                

Lectio: 7.21.13:

Lectio: 7.21.13:

Jn 20.1-2, 11-18

Meditatio:"But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and Your God’.” Jn 20.17b            

Oratio: O God, Your Son so affirmed the dignity of women by His words and by His treatment.

I remember Your Son first appeared to Mary Magdala following His resurrection and appointed her as an apostle to spread this good news to His closest disciples.

Grant that I may will proclaim the Good News to others and especially through the life I live.

Operatio: "reflect on Mary Magdala: she was the first apostle for she was the first to be sent by Jesus to spread the Good News of His Resurrection and planned Ascension; grant that I may always show respect for woman as Jesus and affirm them for their great dignity and for their great callings.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 12.46-50

Lectio: 7.20.13

Lectio: 7.20.13

Lk 10:38-42

Meditatio:" The Lord said to her in reply, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better parent and it will not be taken from her." Lk 10:41-42

Oratio: O God, You so want us to get our priorities right.
I remember Your Son gave us such good direction in the beautiful encounter if Him with Martha.
She was attentive to His human needs, while Mary was attentive to what He had to say.
Grant that I may always seek the needs of others placing their needs in right order - their spiritual needs first while not neglecting their temporal needs.

Operatio: "reflect on Martha; she was a true friend of Jesus and she is a model fro us to address the temporal needs of others and with Jesus' help, to do so without getting upset.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.1-13

Lectio: 7.18.1

Lectio: 7.18.1

Mt 12.1-8

Meditatio: "The Pharisees took counsel against Jesus to put him to death...And in his name the Gentiles will hope." Mt 12.14...21

Oratio: "O God, we can be so ungrateful at times.
I remember the religious elite took counsel against Jesus because He allowed His disciples to pick grain heads and eat them on the Sabbath forgetting that even the Prophets of Old had declared that God desires mercy and not sacrifices.
Grant that I may be ever grateful that His disciples did not buy into their ways for as a Gentile I have been greatly blest through Jesus.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you/

Operatio: reflect on "his name...Gentiles"; Jesus' rejection by the Jewish elite continued even after His death and resurrection; led to evangelization of the Gentiles to their great joy. In prayer seek the grace to spread the Good News to those whose lives I touch for that is the least I can do for those who handed on the faith in Jesus, my God and my King.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 10.38-42

Lectio: 7.18.13

Lectio: 7.18.13: Mt 12.1-8
                                                           
Lectio:  "Jesus was going through a field of grain on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat then,' Mt 12:1

Meditatio: "O God, You want charity to prevail in our lives.
I remember Jesus allowed His disciples to pick and eat grain heads on the Sabbath to satisfy their hunger even though it was considered unlawful.
Grant that I may always remember Jesus' admonition that He desires mercy more than sacrifices, and let love be my guide in resolving moral conflicts.
I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you/

Operatio: reflect on "Sabbath"; the Holy Day of the week, The Lord's day; a day on which unnecessary servile work should not be done; but this is not an absolute for pressing human needs such as hunger or sickness take precedent. In prayer seek the grace to keep holy the Sabbath day but be always mindful and attentive to the needs of others around me.

Tomorrow's reading:  Mt 14-21                    

Lectio: 7/17/13

Lectio: Mt 11.28-30                                                           

Meditatio:"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest."  Mt 11:29

Oratio: " O God, You are our refuge and strength and strong support because You love us so.

I remember Your Son invited us to come to Him when we are burdened, and we will find rest.
Grant that I may be ever grateful to and Your Son and obtain the grace to fly unto You whenever I am in need for that is be of the many blessings for having You as my Father and Jesus as my brother.

I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and  the Holy Spirt, One God, for ever and ever. Amen

Operatio:"reflect on "my yoke;" a yoke was often made out of wood and was used to join two oxen together to pull a load; if the yoke was not properly shaped, it would very painful, but Jesus said His yoke is easy which meant it was well fitting and therefore being yoked to Jesus, our burdens being shared with Him, they become light. In prayer thank Jesus for loving me so.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you/

Operatio:  reflect on " Son...reveal him”: to make known, Jesus made known His Father and the fact that He and the Father are One and that we are infinitely loved by the Father. In prayer seek the grace to live as I ought so that one day I shall see my God face to face and be with Him for all eternity.

Tomorrow's reading:  Mt 12.1-8               

Lectio 7.16.13

Mt 11.25-27                                                           

Meditatio: "All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” Mt 11.27

Oratio:  O God, You gave us Your Son so that through Him we would come to know You - how gracious and kind of You!

I remember Your Son proclaimed the Good News and sent His disciples to do likewise and through their successors we have come to know it and most importantly to know You.

Grant that I may respond to the Good News and live it in accordance with Your will and one day I shall see You as You are.

I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Operatio:  reflect on " Son...reveal him”: to make known, Jesus made known His Father and the fact that He and the Father are One and that we are infinitely loved by the Father. In prayer seek the grace to live as I ought so that one day I shall see my God face to face and be with Him for all eternity.

Tomorrow's reading:  Mt 11.28-30  

Lectio: 7.15.13

Mt 11.20-24                                                           

Meditatio: "Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done., since they did not repent.” Mt 11.20 

Oratio:  O God, Your Son gave clear evidence that He should be listened to as He worked mighty deeds - curing the seek, driving out demons, raising the dead!

I remember Your Son reproached those towns who saw these mighty deeds but did not repent as He called them to do- how sad and awful for them; but it will be sad and awful for us, too, if we do not heed His message.

Grant that I may reform my life and live in accordance with the Great Law of Love - the summary of all the laws and the prophets.

I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Operatio:  reflect on " reproach...not repent”: rebuke, condemn, for not turning away from their sinful ways; in prayer seek the grace to accept the Good News - its promises and its demands - so that I may live as a true brother of Christ.                

Tomorrow's reading:  Mt 11.25-27  

Lectio: 7.14.13

 Mt 10:34-11.1                     

Meditatio: "Jesus said to his Apostles: ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword’.” Mt 1034


Oratio:  O God, You have offer us a clear choice - Your Son or perdition!

I remember Your Son declared that He had come not to bring peace but division for He knew some would not accept Him and in their rejection He would be a source of conflict even among family members. But for those who accept Him and His disciples would not lose their reward - life eternal with the Trinity!

Grant that I may ever remember that the Good News will not be accepted by all and pray that despite the division this will cause, that I will always have the grace to accept it and to remain faithful to it.

I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Operatio:  reflect on " peace ...sword”; a symbol of conflict or division; in prayer seek the grace to remain faithful to the Good News and do my part to spread it and allow God to deal with the conflict that might ensue and He will bring good out of it.

Tomorrow's reading:  Mt 11.20-24  

Lectio 7.13.13

Lectio:Lk 10.26-37

Meditatio: "Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber's victim? He answered 'The one who treated him with mercy'." Lk 10.36-36


Oratio:  O God, You have offered us a share in eternal life.

I remember You gave us a very simple guideline to follow-'Love You and our neighbor as ourselves.'

Grant that I may ever remember the parable of the Good Samaritan and
never seek to restrict ‘who is my neighbor’ and I will attain to the goal You set forth for us.

I ask all things through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever.

Operatio:  reflect on " which ...three...neighbor?' the other is always my neighbor and I ask the grace to treat all with compassion showing not only pity but actively reaching out to help my neighbor.

Tomorrow's reading:  Mt 10:34-11.1

Lectio: 7.12.13

Mt 10.24-33                                                                      

Meditatio: "Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Mt 10.29-30

Oratio: "O. God, You watch over us with loving care!               

I remember Your declared that You know the most intimate details about us and You even have numbered all our hairs - so well do You know us and care for us.

Grant that I may be ever grateful for Your loving concern and with You beside me to leave aside all my fears and trust in You and I will not be afraid.                      

I ask this and all things through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you,

Operatio: reflect on "hairs... counted”; hyperbole - to make the point of how intimately God knows us; in prayer thank God for His loving care and seek the grace of knowing as St. Theresa did that all things are changing but You alone are changeless. Knowing this and knowing that You are always faithful and I can trust in Your saving love; I shall not be afraid.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 10.25-37

Lectio: 7.11.13

Lectio:Mt10.16-23                                                                      

Meditatio: "Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” Mt 10.16

Oratio: "O. God, how You care for us and our concerned for us!

I remember Your Son sent forth disciples but instructed them to be very careful as they would be like sheep among wolves.

Grant that I may do my part to spread the Good News but in doing so to be simple like a dove but also shrewd so as to avoid the obstructions that Satan will put up.

I ask this and all things through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you,

Operatio: reflect on "shrewd... serpents....simple ....doves”; Jesus advice to His disciples; use their God given talents to spread the Good News but do so in a way that is non-threatening to the hearer.  In prayer ask for the grace to use the talent I have been given to better serve the Lord by better serving those whose lives I touch and do so by  advocating for the Lord but in a gentle and persuasive way.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 10:24-33

Lectio:7.10-.13

Mt10.16-23                                                                      

Meditatio: "As you go, make this proclamation" 'The kingdom of God is at hand'." Mt 10.7

Oratio: "O. God, how You love us!

I remember Your Son came to proclaim the Kingdom, and He in turn sent His disciples to proclaim the same thing and so did their successors all for our benefit - how wonderful!

Grant that I may do my part to continue to proclaim the Kingdom so those whose lives I touch may, too,  rejoice!

I ask this and all things through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what God is saying to you,

Operatio: reflect on "at hand;" present, now, manifested, in prayer thank God for revealing His Kingdom to us and seek the grace to spread the Kingdom by living a life of selfless love.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 10:16-23

Lectio: 7.09.13

Mt 10.1-7                                                                 

Meditatio: "Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.” Mt 10.1

Oratio: "O God, Your Son gave His closest disciples the power to work miracles in order to bring others to faith - how kind of Jesus!

I remember the Twelve went out first to the towns of Israel and used their powers to attract people to the proclamation that the Kingdom of God is at hand!

Grant that I may be ever grateful for the evangelization efforts of the Apostles and their successors down through the ages for we are the beneficiaries of their efforts.

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "authority over....unclean spirits:” It was believed in their times that illnesses were the result of unclean spirits invading the person so this authority goes hand in hand with the power to cure; it also meant that like Jesus they could also cast out the devil from  a person who was suffering from demonic possession. In prayer thank Jesus for giving His Twelve the power to cure so that the message of the Kingdom would be more readily accepted and remember that every day we have the miracle of the Eucharist to help us to help others on their way to the kingdom; May God be praised!

Tomorrow's reading: M 10.7-15                                                               

Lectio: 7.08.13

Mt 9. 32-38                                                              

Meditatio: "But the Pharisees said, ‘He drives out demons by the prince of demons’.” Mt 9.34                   
Oratio: "O God, how obstinate we are in the face of the obvious!

I remember the religious elite asserted that Jesus was casting out demons through the help of the Prince of Demons - how absurd!

Grant that I may be open as a child to You and Your works so that I do not miss out on all the great things You have done and continue to do for us.

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "drives out demons;” the power of Jesus over the evil One; exercised by His words alone; how wonderful a God we have, how wonderful did Jesus demonstrate that we do not have to worry about the power of the Evil One if we simply stay in touch with Jesus; in prayer thank Jesus for all He did while here on earth to show we should accept His message and thank Him for continuing to be present in the Eucharist so that we can be with Him in a special way daily.

Tomorrow's reading: M 10.1-7     

Lectio: 7.07.13

Mt 9.18-26                                                               

Meditatio: "While Jesus was still speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, ‘My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live’.”
Mt 9.18
                  
Oratio: "O God, how clear You made it that it was Your Son who had come down to proclaim the Good News that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

I remember Your Son restored life to the daughter of an official who believed that Jesus could restore her life if he just laid His hands on her -He did; and she lived!

Grant that I may be always mindful of the many and miraculous ways which Your Son showed that He was from You and that all should accept the Good News for their benefit!

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "lay...hand on her;” the power of Jesus’ touch; He simply commanded the child to get up and took her by the hand and she came back to life; in prayer seek the grace to rejoice always in the fact that God has drawn near in the person of His Son and remains near in the Sacrament of the Eucharist; and then reach out to others with love so that they, too, will come to know that Jesus is here and is their brother.

Tomorrow's reading: M 9.32-38                     

Lectio: 7.06.13

7.06.13

Lectio: Lk 10.1-12                                                    

Meditatio: "Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand’.” Lk 10.8-9
                  
Oratio: "O God, You provide for out total needs - both body and soul!                      

I remember Your Son instructed his first disciples to not only proclaim the Kingdom of God is at hand but also to cure their sick and His followers have been doing so down through the ages.

Grant that I may be always mindful of both the spiritual needs and the material needs of those I serve and do what I can to help them in body and in soul.                          

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "kingdom of God is at hand”; John the Baptist’s proclamation; Jesus’ proclamation; His disciples’ proclamation; God has drawn near and has invited us to be with Him forever in His kingdom; all He asks of us it to love one another and to love Him; in prayer seek the grace to live in accord with the great Law of Love and to show it by not only words but by deeds.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 0.18-26                    

Lectio 7.05.13

7.05.13

Lectio: Mt 9.14-17                                         

Meditatio: "The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples to not fast’?” Mt 9.14
                  
Oratio: "O God, we, too often see the speck in the other’s eye but fail to see the obvious.

I remember John’s disciples failed to see Jesus for who He is and decried the fact that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting. Had they discerned who Jesus was, they would have realized the purpose of fasting, was already fulfilled in their midst.

Grant that I may always rejoice in Jesus, my savior, and fast periodically, not to hasten His coming, but to discipline myself as His brother so as to love and serve Him better.

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "fast”; to do without; the religious purpose of fasting in the OT was to hasten the coming of the Messiah; the religious purpose of fasting in the NT is to aid us in disciplining ourselves so that we may curb our natural appetites and replace them with spiritual ones - to grow in the virtues. In prayer ask for the grace to observe not just the few mandatory days of fasting, but to voluntarily fast from time to time so as to strengthen my spiritual muscles.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 10.1-12   

Lectio 7.04.13

7.04.13

Lectio: Mt 9.9-13                                          

Meditatio: "Go, and learn the meaning of the words, I ]Jesus] desire mercy, not sacrifice’.”
Mt 9.13a           

Oratio: "O God, You are so kind to us and are so concerned for us even though You deserve top billing.

I remember Your son declared that He wanted us to show mercy rather than offer sacrifice as our priorities in relating to You.

Grant that I may always give praise, worship and show my love for You by showing compassion for those whose lives I touch for that is what You want most from me.      

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "mercy”; kindness towards others who don’t deserve it; compassion is the best way for it literally meanings to suffer with the other in their difficulties and act kindly towards them regardless of merit; in prayer thank God for the His compassionate mercy that He always shows to us; and let us seek the grace to be a compassionate person in all matters and especially since it gives praise to God.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 9.14-17   

Happy Fourth of July!             

7.03.13 Lectio: Mt 9.1-8

7.03.13

Lectio: Mt 9.1-8                                 

Meditatio: "Which is easier, to day, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” Mt 9.5

Oratio: "O God, Your Son made it obvious that He was divine.

I remember that He first forgave the paralytic his sins before curing him so show that He  was divine for the religious elite considered His doing so a blasphemy.

Grant that I may always give praise, worship and love to Jesus for He is Your Son and our brother and we are greatly blest for all He has and continues to do for us.

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "blaspheme”; to attribute a power that is God’s alone to a lesser being; fortunately Jesus was not only a man but also God and therefore His forgiving sins was not a blaspheme; nor when a priest forgives sins in confession, he does not blaspheme for he does it in the name of God; in prayer thank God for the providing us with the sacrament of Reconciliation so that we have a sure and certain way of obtaining forgiveness of our sins.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 9.9-13             

Lectio for 7.02.13

7.02.13

Lectio: Jn 20:24-29                     

Meditatio: "Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and My God’!” Jn 20.28

Oratio: "O God, Your Son made it crystal clear who He was following His resurrection.

I remember that Thomas upon seeing Him uttered those beautiful and most meaningful words: ‘My Lord and My God!

Grant that I may always recognize Jesus in the Eucharist and proclaim Him as My Lord and My
God whenever He is elevated at the consecration.

I ask all things in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplation: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "My Lord....My God”; Thomas’ exclamation upon seeing the Risen Christ; another wonderful assurance that Jesus is God; in prayer thank God for the many ways He revealed to us the nature of His Son so that we would believe and have eternal life.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 9.1-8             

Lectio

7.01.13

Lectio: Mt 8.23-27

Meditatio: "The men were amazed and said, 'What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey'?" Mt 8.27

Oratio: "O God, You made it crystal clear we should accept what Your Son revealed!
I remember the winds and waves obeyed Him
Grant that I may always have recourse to Him when I am in trouble, for He will always be there for me and protect me my soul and even my body if that is what is needed.
I ask all things in the name of Hesus who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Sourit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend a few moments in silence and reflect on the selected passage and its import for you.

Operatio: reflect on "wind..sea obey"; Jesus has the power over every thing and not simply on beings with wills; in prayer ask for the grace to always place my complete trust in Jesus for with Him I can do anything and without Him I can do nothing meaningful.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 20:24-29