8.31.13

Lectio: Lk 14. 1, 7-14                                                                                           

Meditatio: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lk 14. 11
       
Oratio: O God, it is so important for us to know who we are and who You are!
I remember Jesus proclaimed to the guests at a dinner that those who humble themselves with be exalted.

Grant that I may realize that Your are the greatest and we are the lowest and depend entirely upon You for our life and all that is good for that recognition on our part is the key to humility and the key to greatness  for You have gifted us with a place of happiness with You forever if we  practice true humility. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "exalts....humbles”; exalted is to be given a position of greatness or honor;
to be humble means accepting who we are and who God is and rejoices in the fact that He cares for us and loves us and will show us His mercy if we turn to Him with a humble and contrite heart. In prayer seek the grace of humility and all things that are necessary for my salvation will come to be.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk  4.16-30 

8.30.13

Lectio:  Mt 25.14-30                                                                

Meditatio: “so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.”
Mt 25.25

Oratio: O God, You only ask of us what we are capable of doing - those with much talent, you expect much, those with little talent, you expect less.

I remember Jesus made this clear in the Parable of the Talents. And He made it clear, that  doing nothing with the talent we are given, is not acceptable - even if our doing nothing was motivated out of feat.

Grant that I may use the talent God gave me for the purpose He gave it to me and may I always be guided by the Great Law of Love in using whatever talent(s) I have. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "fear ...buried”; fear is not an excuse for failing to use the talent(s) God gives us and simply keeping it safe by burying it; that is, by not using it, is never acceptable. In prayer ask for the grace to use what the Lord has given me and use it for the purpose He wants; and may fear be kept at bay, so that I may serve Him with my talent(s) as He wants.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk14.25-33 

8.29.13

8.29.13

Lectio:  Mt 25.1-13                                                                 

Meditatio: “Therefore, stay awake; for you do not know the day nor the hour.” Mt 25.13

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to come to Your kingdom!           

I remember Your Son told a parable about ten virgins - five wise and five foolish - and the importance of being prepared to enter the kingdom but sadly we do not always heed.

Grant that I may live each day as though it were my last on this earth and be prepared to leave when I am called. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "stay awake”; a command of Jesus that we remain always prepared for our entry into eternal life and not simply a command to do without sleep; in prayer ask for the grace to do always what the Lord asks or wants of me; and then place my trust in Him for He alone has the words of eternal life.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 25.14-30

8.27.13

8.27.13

Lectio:  Mt 23.27-32                                                                

Meditatio: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs; which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.” Mt 23.27

Oratio: O God, You decry those who are not person’s of integrity.

I remember Jesus declared the Pharisees and scribes hypocrites because they only pretended to be good and He compared to them whitewashed tombs!

Grant that I may be a person of integrity so that what people see of me externally is consistent with what I am at the core of my being. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "hypocrites....tombs”; a person who puts on an act and conceals who he or she really is; whitewashed tombs are so apt a comparison. In prayer seek the grace to be a person in what You see, is what I am for that is what God desires all of us to be.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 6.17-29

8.26.13

8.26.13

Lectio:  Mt 23.23-26                                                                

Meditatio: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But these you should have done without neglecting the others.” Mt 23.23

Oratio: O God, how we get caught up in the small things while neglecting the important things You want of us.

I remember Jesus castigated the Pharisees and Scribes for their scrupulous tithing while neglecting mercy and fidelity to Your law.

Grant that I may have a right conscience; one that seeks to love others, God and self - for that will enable me to comply with all the laws and the prophets and love is what is pleasing to God most of all. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "tithes...neglect mercy”; tithing means we give 10 % to support the church or to support charitable endeavors; mercy means we show true love to others especially those who do not deserve it. In prayer seek the grace to keep the Great Law of Love always in focus and to allow it to be the guiding principle in all my actions and inactions.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 23.27-32

8.25.13

Lectio:  Mt 23.13-22                                                                

Meditatio: “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold on the temple, one is obligated’.” Mt 23.16

Oratio: O God, how amusing we must be when we seek to make what is an unsupported principle  for our position in order to feel good about doing what we should not.

I remember Jesus castigated the Pharisees and Scribes for holding that you could swear by the temple and it meant nothing but if you swore by the gold on the temple, you were bound!

Grant that I may be careful to judge rightly in accord with God’s will and not in accord with what I want to do as God is our moving principle and not us and we need to conform to what He wants of us and not what we want for ourselves. Seek to know the truth and put it into practice. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "blind guides?"; the religious leaders of the people; they should have known better and they most likely did; but they rationalized everything so that they could do as they wanted and not as they ought. In prayer seek the grace to keep in focus the good and the right as established by the source of All-Good and Righteous; and then live in accord with God’s principles and not man’s.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 23.23-26

8.24.13

Lectio:  Lk 13.22-30                                                    

Meditatio: “Someone asked him [Jesus], ‘Lord, will only a few be saved’?” Lk 13.23a

Oratio: O God, You desire all to be saved but we must accept Your invite and strive to live in accordance with Your will.

I remember Jesus was asked the question as to whether only a few be saved, and He did not answer it but instead urged that we strive to enter through the narrow gate and He also said that simply because we knew Him, even having eaten with Him, will not be enough.

Grant that I may never be presumptions that I will share in God’s kingdom, but also realize it is not something I earn but a great, great gift from God, and show my gratitude by living the way God wants me to live; namely, in accordance with the great Law of Love. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "a few saved?"; a question Jesus did not answer; but He urged that we strive to enter through the narrow gate - living a life of selfless love; and God will gift you with a place in the kingdom. In prayer seek the grace to keep in focus the narrow gate as the path to travel and with God’s grace travel it; and one day God will gift me with a place in His kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 23.13-22

8.23.13

Lectio: Jn 1.45-51                                          

Meditatio: “Nathaniel [Bartholomew] answered him [Jesus],‘ Rabbi, you are the son of God; your are the king of Israel’.” Jn 1.49

Oratio: O God, what graces You shower on us!                     

I remember when Nathaniel first met Jesus, he declared that Jesus was the Messiah merely because Jesus said He saw Nathaniel under a fig tree before he came to Him through Philip.

Grant that I may always place my trust in You because You love me and only want what is best for my long term good and You will give me the grace to accept Your will. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "king...Israel"; a Messianic description; reinforced by Nathaniel’s first declaring that Jesus is the son of God - what an insight! In prayer seek the grace to know God, to love God and to serve Him for He is my hope and my salvation.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 13.22-30

8.22.13

Lectio: Mt 22.33-40

Meditatio: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Mt 22.36

Oratio: O God, You made it so easy for us to know Your will.

I remember Jesus told the greatest commandment is to love You and the second is to love our neighbors as ourselves and all that was revealed by the prophets and the law depend on these twin cornerstone - how simple! How profound!

Grant that I may love always in the manner You desire for this is all I ask of You for I know that this is pleasing to You.   I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "commandment...greatest"; LOVE - God above all and all others as self; In prayer thank God for providing such an easy way to know Him and then to love and to serve Him and for the grace to love as I ought.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.45-51

8.20 & 8.21.13

8.20.13

Lectio: Mt 10.1-16

Meditatio: “ And on receiving it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones only worked one hour and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and heat'." Mt 10.11-12

Oratio: O God, You treat all so generously!

I remember Jesus told a parable about Your generosity in which those who only late in the day begi n to serve You will still have a share in Your kingdom with those who served You all their days-how kind of You.

Grant that no matter how late I come to my senses, that I may serve You the rest of my days for to know You is to love You and to love You is the desire to serve You.

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

Operatio: reflect on "one hour...day"; God does no one an injustice because He is generous, in prayer seek the grace to know God as early as possible for that means I will have His loving care as I bear the heat of the day.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 22.1-14


8.21.13

Lectio: Mt 22.1-14

Meditatio: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son." Mt 22-2

Oratio: O God, You want all to be saved!

I remember Jesus told a parable about Your kingdom and likened it to a wedding feast to which You made sure it was filled by extending Your invite to all - but You did expect repentance on the part of all whom accepted.

Grant that I may show my acceptance by striving to live in accordance with the great law of love. I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 "heaven...wedding feast"; an event of great joy and an honor to those who attend; acceptance shown by wearing a wedding garment - a sign of conversion - a sign that we have turned back to God our King. In prayer thank God for providing such a wonderful place for us after our life on this earth is over and in the meantime be a person of love for others.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 22.33-40

8.19.13

Lectio:  Mt 19.23-30                                    

Meditatio: “ Again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Mt 19.24

Oratio: O God, You are so much want all to reach Your kingdom.

I remember Jesus spoke about the danger of riches as making it very difficult to enter the kingdom - comparing it to a camel passing through an eye of a needle - on its face a physical  impossibility but when we become aware that Jesus is not comparing it a sewing needle but a narrow gate through a wall that required the camel to be off loaded in order to pass through - we get His message - stark but hopeful.

Grant that I may offload all the material things to which I am attached for such attachments can prevent my entering the kingdom - my ultimate destiny and my ultimate source of joy. I ask all these 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 “easier...eye of a needle”; a camel had to offloaded to pass through a narrow gate in a wall; and we must offload our inordinate attachments to material things if we wish to enter the Kingdom of God; In prayer ask for the grace to use the things of this world wisely and as an aid to attaining to the kingdom so that they may not become an obstacle to that which is my heart’s deepest longing.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 10-1-16

8.18.13

Lectio:  Mt 19.16-22                                    

Meditatio: “ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven’.” Mt 19.21

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to with You in the eternal kingdom.

I remember Jesus declared that by keeping the commandments we will enter eternal life and then He told us that if we wanted to have treasure in eternal life give up what you are attached to in this world and take care of the poor and we will be perfect and have treasure in heaven.

Grant that I may reflect on what I am attached to inordinately and give that up and strive to help the poor and those rejected by life and I will have treasure in eternal life  because of Your gracious kindness.

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

Operatio: reflect on “be perfect...sell...give...treasure”; Jesus’ challenges us to do more than keep the commandments, He challenges us to give up our attachment to material things and help the poor; in prayer seek the grace to accept Jesus’ challenge and give up undue attachments to material things and  care for others, especially the poor and we will be so much richer spiritually for the doing.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 19.23-30

8.17.13

Lectio:  Lk 12.49-53                        

Meditatio: “I [ Jesus] have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Lk 14.49

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to come to You.

I remember Jesus declared that He had come to set the earth on fire - with what? With love for that is how we, as Your children,  best image You for You are all Love.                 

Grant that I may live and act as Your child and show it in my love for You, others and self for that is how Your Son taught us to fulfill all the laws and the prophets.

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

Operatio: reflect on "set ...earth...on fire”; the fire of love; Jesus started it with His coming and showed it in His life and death and resurrection; a fire to overcome self-centeredness; a fire to purify us so that we would be able to come back to You; in prayer seek the grace to be a flaming light to others so that others may experience Christ’s burning love for them.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 19.16-22

8.16.13

Lectio:  Mt 19.13-15            

Meditatio: “But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs ot such as these’.” Mt 19.14

Oratio: O God, You so much want us, Your children, to be with You forever.

I remember Jesus rebuked His disciples for preventing the children from coming to Him and He reminded them that Your kingdom belongs to them.

Grant that I may ever have the attitude of a child, the openness of a child and the humility of a child for it is in being child-like - and not childish - that I will be pleasing to You.

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

Operatio: reflect on "children come...belongs”; children had no rights in the ANE and were totally dependent; in God’s eyes we must have the same attitude and He will give us everything - how generous of our heavenly Father; in prayer seek the grace of humility and we will become the child that God wants us to be.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.49-53            

8.15.13

Lectio:  Mt 19.2-12             

Meditatio: “He [Jesus] said to them in reply, ‘Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’.” Mt 19.4

Oratio: O God, how You dignified the marriage state!


I remember Jesus made it clear that the married shall be come one and that no man shall separate what God has joined together.

Grant that all married couples may live the sign of the sacrament of matrimony - that their love should mirror Christ’s love for His people; and in prayer thank God for His many graces which help married couples to achieve mutual love and the good of their children as they are the twin purposes of married love.|

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

Operatio: reflect on "one....no man separate"; unity is God’s intention for the married; divorce was granted because of hardness of heart by Moses but that was not God’s intention. In prayer thank God for married love, the one gift not forfeited in the great flood, and seek God’s help for all married couples who are part of our lives that may have achieve that ideal love - Christ’ love for His people.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 19.13-15                                    

8.14.13

Lectio: Lk 1.39-56

Meditatio: “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name." Lk1.49

Oratio: O God, grace is what You offer to us and its effect is if we accept it and do what You wish.

I remember Mary in her Magnificat got it right for she acknowledged that it was You who did the great things that she accomplished and would accomplish.

Grant that I may be open to the graces You offer to me, and in prayer seek to do Your will and I will achieve my great destiny - resurrected life with You for all eternity.

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

Operatio: reflect on "Mighty One....done...for me"; God is the One who bestows favor - grace- and we accomplish what He wants if we accept His grace. In prayer thank God for His loving care and do what He asks of us and His name will be Holy and we will be glorified.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 19.2-12

P.S. tomorrow is the feast of the Assumption and a holyday of obligation. In your prayers tomorrow be sure to thank Mary, your mother through grace, for her loving care that she has for you

8.13.13

Lectio:  Mt 18.15-20                                                                        

Meditatio: “For where two or three are gathered in my [Jesus] name, there am I in the midst of them.” Mt 18.20

Oratio: O God, how You care for us.                                   

I remember Jesus promised that when ever two or more gather in His name, He is there for them!

Grant that I may always remember that in my pain, in my sorrow, in my need that Jesus will be there for me if I simply gather with at least one other in His name and have recourse to Him - He doesn’t promise to take away our pain or our sorrow, but He will be present to us in them and He will share in it with us..

 I ask all these 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 "gathered...my name”; two or more coming together in prayer; result - Jesus is there with us; and He will help us to deal with what is ever troubling us for He is our  refuge and strong support. in prayer ask for the grace to always remember Jesus promise to be with us if we simply gather in His name and be sure to expressly mention Him when we do so; and Jesus will be there for us for He is always faithful.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.39-56       

8.11.13

Lectio: Mt 17.22-27                                       

Meditatio: “And they will kill him, and he [Jesus] will be raised on the third day.” Mt 17.23

Oratio: O God, You bring about much good out of evil for out welfare.                 

I remember the killing of Your Son was the most heinous of crimes and the greatest affront to You, yet through His death and resurrection, You gave us a share in resurrected life - what a gift!

Grant that I may always remember You love us and want nothing but our lasting happiness with You in Your kingdom and we can let go of our fears  for we are your children.                  

 I ask all these 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 "raised ”; Easter Sunday morning saw Jesus rising from the dead; and Jesus assures us that if we believe in Him, that we too will never die. This assurance is found in Jn 11.25. In prayer thank God for the wonderful treatment He extends to us as a loving Father and for His greatest gift  - peace, joy and love in a life that is everlasting with Him and our loved ones.                  

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 18.1-5, 10, 12-14 

8.10.13

Lectio: Lk 12.32-48                           

Meditatio: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” Lk 12.32

Oratio: O God, You do not want us to live in fear but in calm and openness to life.

I remember Jesus declared that we should not live in fear for we are Your little flock and You have given us the kingdom!                                    

Grant that I may always remember that we are Yours and to let nothing afright us for all things are changing but You only are changeless ( St. Theresa)and we are Yours!

 I ask all these 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 "afraid...little flock”; fear is an emotion; it comes upon us when we feel we are in danger - real or imaginary danger; but the only lasting danger we face is the loss of our immortal souls; but if we remember we are God’s children and have recourse to Him, we will be part of His kingdom forever. In prayer ask the grace to always live as a child of God and we will not have to fear the loss of our soul..

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 17.22-27         

8.09.13

Lectio: Jn 12.24-26               

Meditatio: “The Father will honor whoever serves me.” Jn 12.26b                                         

Oratio: O God, You are so kind to us for so little we do.             

I remember Jesus told His disciples that if they simply serve Him, that is do His will freely, that You will honor them and  with eternal life of blessedness.

Grant that I may always willingly do what Jesus wants of me for in doing so I will attain my heart’s deepest longing - heaven!

 I ask all these 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 "serves me”; doing Jesus’ will; not under constraint but freely; as a sibling of His and not as a hired hand. In prayer seek the grace of humble obedience to the Will of God in all things for that will attain my lasting good and a pure gift in return.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.32-48    

8.08.13

Mt 16.24-28

Meditatio: “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Mt 16.26a

Oratio: O God, You are most solicitous for our long term well being.

I remember Jesus admonished His disciples telling them that it would not profit them if they gained everything in this life but lost their souls.

Grant that I may always be alert to the dangers of ambitions and to keep my desires for things of this life for what they were designed; that is for my and others welfare but not as an end in themselves.        

 I ask all these 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 "gain...forfeit”; attain wealth but give up eternal wealth; in prayer seek the grace to listen to Jesus’ admonition about ambition and possessions and use my possessions for my and others needs and Jesus will be pleased.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 12.24-26

8.07.13

Mt 16 13-23

Meditatio: “He (Jesus) said to them, 'But who do you say that I am'?" Mt 16.15

Oratio: O God, You revealed Your Son to us in His words, His deeds, but it is up to each of to answer who Jesus is for us?

I remember Jesus asked this question of His disciples and Peter answered that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God.

Grant that I may always accept the clear revelation that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and my Lird and Savior and brother and that I put into action His commandments for that is the best way to show my belief.

 I ask all these 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 "I am;" these two words when standing alone convey  "God "for the Jewish people and they convey the same for me as I answer the question who Jesus is for me.
In prayer seek the grace to listen to Jesus’ message and put it into practice for it is the best evidence that I accept Him as my Lord and Savior.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 19.3-12

8.06.13

         

 Lectio: Mt 15.21-28                                                                                        

Meditatio: “Then Jesus said to her in reply, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed from that hour.” Mt 15.28

Oratio: O God, what power you give to the gift of faith!
   
I remember Your Son was so moved by the faith of a Canaanite woman, that He healed her daughter even though she was not of the House of Israel - imagine not just a faith that moves mountains but a faith that makes the Son of God modify His mission!

Grant that I may be ever grateful for the gift of faith and may I have the grace to approach our Lord with the same expectation that the Canaanite woman had. I ask all these 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 "Canaanite....House of Israel”; a Gentile woman, His mission was to the House of Israel; her strong and persistent faith resulted in His positive response to her request; Wonderfully, Jesus’ mission would become for all and that we do not have to belong to any particular nationality in order to approach Him. In prayer seek the grace for an increase in faith so that we may always approach Jesus with confidence that He will listen and He will do what is best and on a timetable that He knows best.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 16.13-23        

8.05.13

Lectio: 8.05.13                

 Lk 9.28b-36                                                                            

Meditatio: “And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah.” Lk 9.30

Oratio: O God, You made it to very clear that Jesus was Your Son in His transfiguration on Mt. Tabor.             
                       
I remember Moses and Elijah appeared with Him and His Apostles, Peter, James and John looked on.

Grant that I may be ever mindful that we have the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Your Son which You so clearly manifested to us in the wonder of the Transfiguration. May I always adhere to the message of the Good News for in it is all that is True, all that is right, all that is for my well being both now and hereafter. I ask all these 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 "conversing with him”; the Transfiguration was not simply a passive appearance but an active one in which Jesus spoke with Moses, the symbol of the Old Law and Elijah, the symbol of the Prophets, and in the concluding part, God, the Father, proclaims that Jesus is His Son and we should listen to Him. In prayer seek the grace to listen to Jesus’ message and put it into practice for it is the way to eternal life.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 15.21-28 

8.04.13

Lectio: 8.04.13                

Mt 14.13-21                                                                

Meditatio: “Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he [Jesus] said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples , who in turn gave them to the crowds.” Mt 14. 19b-d

Oratio: O God, You provided a wonderful remedy for our body and soul - Your Son in the Eucharist!                 
                       
I remember Jesus fed 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish and in performing this miracle He said and gestured in a way that is very much part of our daily Eucharistic sacrifice.

Grant that I may be ever mindful that we have more than bread and more than drink when we partake following the consecration for a miracle greater than feeding 5000 has take place - bread and wine have become Jesus very body and blood and a source of eternal life for us - how awesome!  I ask all these 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 "taking...looking...blessing....broke...gave”; the actions which are very much part of our daily Eucharist sacrifice; in prayer thank God for the greatest gift He gave us - His Son - to daily nourish us and provide us food for the journey to the heavenly kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 9.28b-36

8.03.13

Lectio: 8.03.13                

Lk 12.13-21                                                    

Meditatio: “and I shall say to myself, ‘Now, as for you, you  have so many good things stored up for many years, rests, eat, drink and be merry’.” Lk 12.19                                

Oratio: O God, You are the ultimate source of all good thing - yet we forget who and why we are given gifts.
                       
I remember Jesus told a parable about a rich farmer who had a bountiful harvest and all the farmer was concerned about was himself and he worshiped  his possessions as a substitute for worshiping You - how tragic and shortsighted!

Grant that I may be ever mindful of You who are the source of all gifts and to share with others as You intended and avoid greed which can and does become a source of idolatry if left unchecked. I ask all these 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 "eat, drink and be merry;” the motto of hedonism; the epitome of selfishness; a stark display of ingratitude; in prayer thank God for the many gifts He has and continues to shower upon me and especially the gift of life as His child through baptism..

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 14.13-21

8.02.13

Lectio: 8.02.13                

Mt 14.1-12                                                     

Meditatio: The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.” Mt 14.9-10

Oratio: O God, You want us to keep our word but it is not an absolute.
                       
I remember King Herod had John the Baptist beheaded because he thought he had to keep the oath he made to Herodias’ daughter - but oaths and promises are to be kept but not if they cause harm to others or to self.            

Grant that I may be ever a person of integrity and when I say ‘yes’, mean it; and when I say ‘no’, mean it. But always remember that I should never keep oaths or promises that harm others or harm the common good. I ask all these 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 "beheaded...because ...oath”; taking an innocent life is murder; unbridled power and taking an oath to grant a person such a request, does not make it right. In prayer seek the grace to keep my promises and my oaths but to always do so provided they do not cause harm to others.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.13-21

Lectio 8.01.13

Lectio: 8.01.13                

Mt 13.54-58                                                    

Meditatio: "And he [Jesus] did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.” Mt 13:58

Oratio: O God, You gave us so much that we would believe and still many of us remain obstinate.

I remember Your Son told the people of His home town that they did not accept Him even though He had done many mighty deeds elsewhere and because of their lack of fath, He was not able to work many miracles in Nazareth.

Grant that I may be ever blest with the gift of faith and always have the openness of a child to the things that are divine. I ask all these 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 "mighty deeds....faith"; miracles; something beyond the capacity of a human being or nature; faith - a confident hope that something unseen - IS! In prayer may I always believe in miracles for they still happen and may I always have faith whether a miracle happens when I seek one and do not get one, for it is not my decision but God’s when and where He will act, but remember He has already given us the greatest miracle s- our life and His Son.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 14.1-12