11.3013

Lectio: Mt 24.37-44                                                      

Meditatio: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Mt 24.42

Oratio: O God, You so want us to journey successfully to You and You gave us sure advice.

I remember Your Son told us to ‘Stay awake!’ - in short, to be alert as to our meeting Him at the end of our life or at the end to time whichever comes first and focus on Him for He is  at the heart of who we are and why we are here.                          

Grant that I may ever grateful for Jesus’ coming and showing me the way to the Father.

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: "stay awake!”; to be alert; to focus on Jesus and His call and our redemption; in prayer seek the grace to follow Jesus’ Way to the Father by living a life of selfless love. By being alert to the urgency of His call, we will with God’s grace successfully complete our journey to Him.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 8.5-11     

11.29.13

Lectio: Mt 4.18-22                                           

Meditatio: “He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men’.”
Mt 4.19                       

Oratio: O God, Your Son chose as His first disciples, uneducated but hard workers - fishermen; but they would become what He said they would be if they followed Him.

I remember Jesus’s first disciples were Peter and his brother, Andrew and His next two were James and John - all four were fishermen; all four would become fishers of men and very good at it and through them He established the Kingdom of God on earth.

Grant that I may ever grateful for the oneness and courage of those first disciples for through them all have benefitted down through the ages. May I do my part to spread the Good News, too.

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: "come...fishers”; an invite not a command; to capture others not by the  hook but by the Word; in prayer lift up all those through whom our faith in Jesus was transmitted to us; and seek the grace to continue the role of ‘fishers’ so that others may come to know what a great God we have in Jesus; accept Him as their Lord and Savior and one day obtain the fruit of their faith - eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 24.37-44  

11.28.13

Lectio:  Lk 21.29-33                              

Meditatio: “Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” Lk 21.32

Oratio: O God, the disciples of Jesus were warned before hand of persecutions that will come because they believed in Him - but they were not to despair for Jesus gave them great hope..

I remember Jesus made it clear that when all these things happen, know that the kingdom of God is near and so it came to be - Jesus rose from the dead and the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth began in earnest and they would receive an eternal blessing - life in the kingdom of God forever.

Grant that I may always rejoice in knowing the Kingdom of God has been established and admittance to it consists of doing the Father’s will - being a person of  selfless love; in prayer seek the grace to take up my cross daily and follow the promptings of the Spirit and God will give the grace to believe and to act in accordance with our belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world.

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: "generation ....not pass...until”; persecutions and the destruction of the Temple were all predicted by Jesus but He assured His disciples that He, the Son of Man, would come and establish the kingdom; and so He did following His resurrection and through His sending of the Holy Spirit. How wonderful for us who benefitted from the faith of Jesus’ first disciples and His disciples down through the ages.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 4.18-22    

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

11.27.13

Lectio: Lk 21.20-28                  

Meditatio: “Has none but a foreigner returned to give thanks to God.” Lk 21.18

Oratio: O God, You do so much for us and we are often so unmindful of it and rarely express our thanks.

I remember Jesus made it clear when He healed the ten lepers, expressing thanks for a benefit received is one of the hallmarks of a good Christian for thankfulness expresses our belief in a good and caring God from whom all good things come including the most wonderful gift of salvation.

Grant that I may always have the grace of a thankful heart and always give thanks to those who give me any blessing and especially give daily thanks to God for all He did, does and continues to do for me.

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: "none but...give thanks”; 10 were cured of leprosy but only one returned to give thanks; how thoughtless of those 9!  How wonderful for the one for his thanks also resulted in his salvation! In prayer on the eve of our national holiday of Thanksgiving reflect on the many blessings you have received and resolve to thank those whom you meet tomorrow who have helped you in anyway and be sure to thank God for always being there for you and for all He has done and does for you and also seek the grace to always be a person of gratitude.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.29-33

11.26.13

Lectio: Lk 21.12-19                                                                                                                           

Meditatio: “Remember you are not to prepare your defense before hand.” Lk 21.14

Oratio: O God, You ways are not our ways!

I remember Jesus told His disciples that persecutions and arrests will follow because of their belief in Him; and then contrary to human reason, He told them not to prepare their defense before hand. Yet all good lawyers prepare their defense for their client before hand and review their proposed testimony with them. But then Jesus gives us the best reason why. He tells us that He will give us wisdom in speaking such that no adversary could overcome us - wow!

Grant that I may have the grace of final perseverance in matters that concern my faith so that no matter what befalls me in this life, the only life that matters -life with You, will be gifted to me by 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: "not...prepare...defense”; when placed on trial for one’s faith, we are not to rely on ourselves but on Jesus and His gift of wisdom for our defense;  no matter the outcome in this life, we will emerge victorious because we have a Good and Gracious God.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.20-28

11.25.13

Lectio: Lk 21.5-11                                                                                                                

Meditatio: “He [Jesus] answered, ‘See the you are not deceived, for many will come in my name saying, “I am he,” and “The time has come.” Do not follow them!” Lk 21.8

              

Oratio: O God, You now that there will be an end of earthly time and You do not want us to obsess over it.

I remember when Jesus was asked when it would happen, He told the people that many terrible things would happen before it took place including false prophets who would claim they had come in His name BUT we are not to focus on this nor listen to them but we are to be  alert and to stay the course He has set for us; namely, to love God with our whole heart, and our neighbor as our selves and listen only to those whom He has set up as our teachers and guides - the successors to the Apostles.

Grant that I may be ever mindful of the end times and have the grace to live in the present and seek the Lord at all times and the end of time, whether it is the end of earthly time for all and simply the end of earthly time for us, will not be a time of tribulation but a time of joy for we will now have time without end in His everlasting kingdom.

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: "many... in my name”; the end of time will be preceded by false teacher  who claim to speak in Jesus’ name; but we have been given a safeguard - the Magisterium - so seek the grace that in all matters of faith and morals to  follow only what they teach and say and we will not live in apprehension of the end of time but in joyful anticipation of it.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.12-19

11.24.13

Lectio: Lk 21.1-4                                                                                                     

Meditatio: “Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was drawing near.”
 Lk 21.1

Oratio: O God, how paradoxical was the timing of the death of Your Son!          

I remember it was the feast of Passover that was the day on which He was slain -  a feast which commemorates the chosen people’s use of the blood of the lamb on the lintels of their doors so that the avenging angels of death would Passover them and they would be spared death and eventually released by the Egyptians and go to the Promised Land.  Now the Blood of the Lamb will enable all who believe in Him to pass over from this life to eternal life in His kingdom - wow!

Grant that I may be ever mindful of the price which Jesus paid so that we might have life with Him forever; and reflect that memory by living in accord with His wishes - living a life of selfless love - placing God first, others second and then self - for that is the best way of showing in a very small way our gratitude for so great a gift - eternal life in His kingdom.

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: "Passover... near”; the Jewish feast of deliverance; the blood of the lamb would be for their safety;  Jesus’ Blood that was poured out becomes the basis for our safe passage to eternal life. What a gift! What a joy! What a price He paid for us! In prayer seek the grace of lasting gratitude and show it by living in accord with the Great Law of Love. It does not begin to repay Jesus for all He has and continues to do for us; but is all that He asks of us.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.5-11 

11.23.13

Lectio: Lk 23.35-43                                                                                         

Meditatio: “Then he [the repentant thief] said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom’.” Lk 23.42       

Oratio: O God, what a wonderful destiny You have in store for us!                

I remember Jesus replied to the repentant thief and told him that today he would be with him in Paradise - what a destiny for all who believe in Jesus and live that belief even if only at the last hour of one’s life.

Grant that I may be ever mindful of the glorious destiny You have in store for us and willingly and always confess Jesus as my Lord and my Savior and live in accord with the Great Law of Love which He so much wants all to do,  so that all may one day be with Him in Paradise.

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: "remember...kingdom"; tomorrow is the feast of Christ the King and today’s passage reminds us that our destiny as believers is His kingdom which is Paradise. In prayer thank God for being so wonderful and kind to all; and may we all have the grace to live a good life and have the grace of final repentance so one day we can acknowledge and be with Jesus as our King.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.1-4  

11.22.13

Lectio: Lk 20.27-40                                                                            

Meditatio: “Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Lk 20.33       

Oratio: O God, how far are Your ways from our ways and how wonderful they are!

I remember the Sadducees , who did not believe the resurrection, thought they had in Moses’ position on what was known as Levirate Marriage as the perfect example as to why Jesus’ teaching about the resurrection does not make sense.  But Jesus quickly pointed out that in the next life those who are worthy of the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage for they live on like angels and they are God’s children - once more showing that God’s ways are so much different from man’s ways and so much better.

Grant that I may be ever mindful that the purpose of marriage is for the good of the couple and for the good of children; the good of the person is more than satisfied in resurrected life and the ultimate good of the children is also served there and there is no longer any need to multiply as all live on forever as children of God - what a happy ending for so little on our part. May I always be grateful and continually thank the Lord for being so kind.

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: "resurrection... whose wife "; life in the next world; no one marries but all live on as children of God in complete happiness. In prayer seek the grace to always give thanks and praise to God who is so gracious and kind to us so for He has deemed that we will be happy forever for He will take care of His children which we are in resurrected life.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 23.35-43

11.21.13

Lectio: Lk 19.45-48                                                                

Meditatio: “Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things.” Lk 19. 45        
           

Oratio: O God, You know how easy we go astray even forgetting that Your House is a House of Prayer and not a market place.                

I remember Jesus, on entering the Temple in Jerusalem, saw that is was not being used properly for prayer so He drove out all those and that which was profaning the Temple to the chagrin of the religious leaders and who instead of applauding His efforts, plotted to kill Him.

Grant that I may be ever mindful that Your House is a foremost a House of Prayer and always keep that in mind upon entering it and that will assure my right use of it and in turn give You the thanks, the glory and praise You deserve.      

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: "temple...drive out"; The house of prayer was being used as a market place and Jesus drove the sellers and their products out;  Jesus’s action instead of being praised by the religious leaders, led to their plotting His death - how tragic for them! How horrible for all believers!   In prayer seek the grace to always show honor and respect for the Lord’s House and enter it for the purpose of giving Him thanks and praise and not for monetary gain.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 20.27-40

11.20.13

Lectio:   Lk 19.41-44                                                  

Meditatio: “As he [Jesus] drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If this day you only knew what makes peace - but now is hidden from ..your eyes’.” Lk 19. 41-42
           
Oratio: O God, how you wanted Your chosen people to accept You and how sad it made You and tragically them for their failure to recognize Jesus.

I remember Jesus on His final journey to the cross saw Jerusalem and wept over it because He knew that their failure to recognize Him, the Prince of Peace, would lead to so much bloodshed for them and their children.                                        

Grant that I may be ever mindful that Jesus is Peace itself and to live in peace I need to live in Him.  In prayer seek the grace to do so.

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: "city...wept over it"; Jerusalem, the favorite city of God; it rejected the Prince  of Peace and would experience great devastation and Jesus knew the terrible future that would befall them. In prayer seek the peace of Christ which means seek the way of love and no matter what happens on the outside, you will be able to be at peace within.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.45-48

11.19.13

Lectio:   Lk 19.11-28                                      

Meditatio: “His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce ‘We do not want this man to be our king’.” Lk 19.14
           
Oratio: O God, how ironic and sad! You sent Your only Son to us to be our King and Savior but instead of accepting Him we rejected Him.

I remember Jesus told a parable about a man whom I sense Jesus referring to Himself, who was  seeking to be their king but was being rejected by the His own people - sadly it would become a true event to the great loss for the Chosen people.            

Grant that I may be ever enlightened by faith and see things and people as God wants me to see for otherwise, the very One whom He sent, I may miss and in missing Him, missing the message of the One who sent Him.                    

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: "citizens...despised"; citizens - members of your own civil society; despised means to hate; Jesus’ fellow Jews rejected Him - but not the anawin but the religious leaders and those allied with them.  In prayer seek the Lord and He will be found as an ancient prayer asserts and we will find Him if we believe and sincerely seek with the light of faith and with His grace.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.41-44

11.18.13

Lectio:  Lk 19.1-10                           

Meditatio: "But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay it four times over’.” Lk 19.8
           
Oratio: O God, You know how difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom because their riches become their gods.

I remember the encounter of the wealthy Zacchaeus with Jesus and his reaction shows the right attitude towards riches for he would use half of it to benefit the poor and to repay and make up for any ill-gotten riches.

Grant that I may see all things as gifts from You and to use them to as aids to help me and others in our journey back to You and for the grace to see all riches as means and not ends so that You will always be paramount in my life.

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: "give ...poor...extorted...repay"; generosity towards the poor; justice towards those to whom we have been unjust; riches are to be seen as means and not ends for us; in prayer seek the grace to use my possessions for my needs, the needs of others and for the mission of the church.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.11-28

11.17.13

11.17.13

Lectio: Lk 18.35-43                

Meditatio : "What do you want me to do for you? He replied, “Lord, please let me see’.”
Lk 18.41

Oratio: O God, how tenderly You care for us!

I remember Jesus in response to the blind man of Jericho’s request, granted him his sight.

Grant that I may see all things with the light of faith which You so generously have bestowed on me so that I may see things Your way and act accordingly.

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: "want...see"; a desire; to perceive physically with one’s eyes; but more importantly that we desire to  see with the eyes of faith; in prayer seek an increase in faith so that I may always see what you should see and then to what you ought to do so as to please our Lord and our God.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.1-10

11.13.13 to11.16.13

 1.13.13

Lectio: Lk 17.20-25

Meditatio : "But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation." Lk 17.25

Oratio: O God, how dense we are!

I remember Jesus in response to when the kingdom go God will come told them only after He was rejected - when His preaching and miracles should have been obvious signs the Kingdom was among them.

Grant that I may have the grace to recognize the kingdom and work for it for it Your greatest gift to us.

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: "suffer...rejected"; Jesus' fate and only then would He be accepted but not by all.  In prayer seek the grace to make His Kingdom known for that is why He came,

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.26-37

11.14.13

Lectio: Lk 17.26.37

Meditatio : "As it was in the day of Noah, so it will be on the day of the Son of Man." Lk 17.26

Oratio: O God, how self center we are and we become engrossed in our selves!

I remember Jesus warned the crowds that they will ignore the signs of the time and not be ready when the Kingdom comes to their great and eternal loss.

Grant that I may with your grace consider each day my last dat and live so that I ready as can be to meet You, my God, who are All-Good and deserving of all my 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: "Noah...Son of Man"; ..rejected"; mankind was destroyed in the great flood because they ignored a God and sought only pleasure for themselves; a similar fate awaits all who ignore God and ignore Him in others. Pray for the grace to keep my priorities straight; God first, others second and self third and my acceptance of Jesus will more readily occur.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 18.1-8|ctio: Lk 18.1-8

11.15.13

Meditatio: "Then he told them a parable about the necessity to pray always without becoming weary." Lk 18.1


Oratio: O God, how available You are for You allow us to pray to You at all times.

I remember Jesus told a parable about the necessity to persist in prayer not because God doesn't hear us but it shows our faith in who God is - our Creator who loves us - but who wants us to be always in touch with Him as He is with us.

Grant that I may always and daily turn to The Lord in prayer for prayer is my way of staying in touch with my God who is my All.

I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with Youf
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: "necessity...pray always"; if we wish to stay in love, we need to be in touch with the Beloved. We can be in touch with God always by saying the Morning Offering for then all we do throughout the day is a prayer and an act of love on my part.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.5-19

11.16.13

Lectio: Lk 21.8-19

Meditatio : "By your perseverance you will secure your lives." Lk 21.19

Oratio: O God, how You want us to be with You in the end!

I remember Jesus told the crowds about the terrible things that will precede the end and then He gave them profound advice - He told then to persevere and they will be saved,

Grant that I may with rely on Your grace and cooperate with it and I will not have to worry about the end - whether the end of time or the end of my life time - for I will secure my life, thanks 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: "Perseverance...secure"; persevere means to stay with the task your undertaking until you have finished it - no matter what the obstacles with which you are confronted; secure means to obtain and hold on; in prayer seek the grace to follow The Lord - no matter what: and seek the grace of final repentance and all will end well through Christ our Lord.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 18.35-43



P.S. I was on a five day pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. I prayed for all there.

11.12.13

Lectio: 17.11-19                                                  

Meditatio :  "And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a love voice.” Lk 17. 14

Oratio: O God, You ask so little of us but You do appreciate a thank you!

I remember Jesus healed 10 lepers but only one returned to say, Thanks! And Jesus showed how much He appreciated the man’s gratitude saying, ‘You faith has saved you.”

Grant that I may always have a grateful heart and never take good fortune for granted nor the many gifts I have been given such as my health and my family. May ‘Thank you!’ always be on my lips and in my heart and especially to the God who is the ultimate source of all that is good.

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: " healed, returned”: 10 healed but only the Samaritan returned and thanked Jesus; and then Jesus gifted him with a most wonderful gift - the man’s salvation!  In prayer seek the grace to be ever grateful for all the good things in my life and especially for the gift of faith for without it, life is meaningless and death even more so.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.20–25

11.11.13

Lectio: Lk 17.7-10                                       

Meditatio :  "Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?” Lk 17.9

Oratio: O God, without You we can do nothing, with You we can do everything and You rightly expect us to do what we ought as disciples of Your Son. 

I remember Jesus made it very clear to His disciples as to the attitude they should have - that all that they do that is commanded them to do, they should not expect any gratitude for doing it rather Jesus implies they should be grateful that they are His disciples.                

Grant that I may seek to do the will of Jesus without any expectation of rewards for all that I do, all that I  have and all that I will be is because of His graces.                            

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: "grateful...servant...commanded”: God is our Master; and we are His servants; all that we to do is what He rightly expects of us and He gives us the ability to do it; that is why we cannot expect Him to be grateful but then beyond any claim on our part He does everything that is for our ultimate good for which we should always be grateful.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.11-19

1.10.13

Lectio: Lk 17.1-6                             

Meditatio :  "He [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur’.” Lk 17.1            

Oratio: O God, You know we are weak but You also know that we are often the cause of others to fail - to sin.

I remember Jesus told His disciples quite bluntly about avoiding being the source of scandal - the source of sin for others - that it would be better if we had a millstone placed on our neck and hurled into the sea - a vivid and woeful image of the fate of those who cause scandal.

Grant that I may have the grace to be a positive influence on others so that the other may prosper in this life and the next and I may be gifted with eternal life as well.

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: "sin...woe through whom”; all will from time to time fail to live in accord with the Great Law of Love but the Lord is kind and merciful and He will forgive us.  But He so much wants us to avoid scandal and our being a source of temptation for others. Rather He  wants us to be a source of good for others in their journey to the Kingdom and that is the least we should do for all He does for us.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.7-10

1.09.13

Lectio: Lk 20.27-38                

Meditatio :  "Jesus said to them,'The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy of the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage’.” Lk 20.34,35

Oratio: O God, the one great gift that was not forfeited in the Great Flood was marriage; but its purpose is served when this earthly life is over.

I remember Jesus told this quite plainly when He said that in the resurrection no one is marries or is given in marriage and the reason is obvious - the resurrected life is for all eternity and there is no need for marriage.

Grant that I may always remember that love endures but the institution of nuptial love is an earthly gift for the purpose of the propagation of the human race and the building up of the church here on earth and that love endures forever but the institution does not.

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: "this age marry,...resurrection...neither marry’; marriage is for the earthly living but not for those who are risen from the dead; in prayer ask for the grace to love rightly here on earth so that I may live in Love for all eternity.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.1-6

11.05.13-11.08.13

11.05.13

Lectio: Lk 14.25-33

Meditatio :  "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Lk 14.27

Oratio: O God, You want committed believers.

I remember Jesus made this clear when He told the crowd that you must carry your own cross if you want to be His disciple.

Grant that I may always strive to do God's will for that is the cross I must carry.
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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: "cross...disciple"; cross is an instrument of execution but it symbolizes doing the Father's will. In prayer seek the grace to do what the Father wants of me and I will be the kind of disciple Jesus wants.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 15.1-10


11.06.13

Lectio: Lk 15.1-10

Meditatio :  "but the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them'." Lk 15.2

Oratio: O God, how compassionate and merciful You are!

I remember Jesus showed this by not only welcoming sinners but eating with them - to the chagrin of the righteous but to to the joy if all!

Grant that I may imitate my gracious Lord and welcome all who come to me and rejoice when God uses me as an instrument to save what might be lost forever.

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: "complain .... Welcomes"; the former is the attitude of those who think they are righteous and look down on others, while the latter is Jesus' way and the way He calls us to be.cross...disciple". In prayer seek the grace to be kind and merciful towards all for that is Jesus' way and it must be our way, too!

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 16.1-8

11.07.13

Lectio: Lk 16.1-8

Meditatio :  "And the master commended the dishonest steward for acting prudently." Lk 16.8

Oratio: O God, You want us to use our smarts in seeking You and doing Your will as we do for ourselves.

I remember Jesus made this point when He yoked the parable of the dishonest steward.

Grant that I may be prudent in all my ways but especially in the ways You call me.

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: "commended...dishonest"; praised him not because he was dishonest, but because he acted prudently, meaning he looked at his situation and developed a plan that would secure his objective; in prayer seek the virtue of prudence as it is cardinal and it is important that we are prudent in Your ways and in what we do .

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 2.13-22

1.08.13

Lectio: Jn 2.13-22

Meditatio :  "Jesus said to them,'Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up'."  Jn 2.19

Oratio: O God, You want us to think in Your terms but we often fail to our regret.

I remember Jesus gave His authority for clearing out the temple of merchants but the religious leaders scoffed at it.

Grant that I may always remember that a temple is not simply a stone edifice but that all are called to be Temples of The Lord by virtue of our Baptism.

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: "destroy...temple"; destroy means to do away with-to annihilate; temple is the body of Christ; and they did destroy it through the crucifixion but Jesus restored it through Hus resurrection. In prayer give thanks and praise that Jesus has constituted us as living temples of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and seek the grace to live as worthy temples.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 20.27-38

11.04.13

Lectio:  Lk 14.15-24                                                      

Meditatio:”But one by one they began to excuse themselves. Lk 14.18a

Oratio: O God, You sent Your Son to Your chosen People but sadly they rejected Him!

I remember Jesus made this point when He told a parable about the Great Feast and how all those invited made excuses and He then invited the Anawin and the Gentiles - how sad for the Chosen People! How fortunate for us!         

Grant that I may accept Jesus’ invite to His Heavenly banquet and show my acceptance by living a life in accord with His 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: "one by one....excuse”: the Chosen People rejected Jesus’invite to dine at the Heavenly Banquet by rejecting Him; but Jesus did not give up on filling the banquet as He extended the invitation to others who did accept; in prayer seek the grace to live a life that shows my acceptance of His invitation - a blessing beyond anything I can imagine..

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 14.25-33

11.03.13

Lectio:  Lk 14.12-14                                          

Meditatio:”blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteousness.” Lk 14.14

Oratio: O God, You want us to be charitable and You will repay us more than we have a right to expect.

I remember Jesus told His dinner host to invite guests who could not return the invite such as the poor; and the host will get a repayment in the resurrected life - what a reward for simply being generous towards the needy.

Grant that I may respond to Jesus’ call to be charitable and allow Him to repay your generosity in the way He deems best - either now or hereafter/

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: "inability..,repay...repaid...resurrection”: Jesus urges us to be charitable to those who cannot repay and if we do, He will see that we receive repayment in the next life; the only repayment that is everlasting and worthwhile - how generous of our God for so little on our part.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 14.15-24

11.02.13

Lectio:   Lk 19.1-10                              

Meditatio:”For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” Lk 19.10
Oratio: O God, You are so kind and merciful!

I remember Jesus, when He visited Jericho and invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house, showed and proclaimed very clearly that His mission was to save the sinner so that they, too, would have life everlasting.

Grant that I may respond to Jesus’ call to reform my life and to imitate the generosity of Zaccaheus as he showed us the right use of riches.

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: "Son of Man..,.save...lost”: Jesus is the Son of Man; His mission was to save all - sinners and the righteous alike; In prayer seek the grace to respond on a life time basis Jesus’ call to reform and remember, it is not what the world thinks, it is what God wants and desires that counts - the salvation of all!

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 14.12-14

11.01.13

Lectio:  Jn 6.37-40                   

Meditatio:”And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it up [on] the last day.” Jn 6.39

Oratio: O God, You are so magnanimous!

I remember Jesus declared that it is not Your will that He should lose anyone for whom He was sent , but that He should bring them  eternal life and certainly He would have been sent for His brothers and sisters.

Grant that I may be ever mindful of the destiny God has in mind for me and respond to Jesus and His ways so that Jesus can complete His missions and  we will be truly blest.

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: "not lose ...  should raise “; Jesus can find anyone and we are so lucky that we are His brothers and sisters through Baptism; In prayer seek to live in accord with the great dignity that is ours through grace.; and then live as a true brother or sister of Christ like we should do and He will raise us up!.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.1-10