12.31.13

                

Lectio:   Lk 2.16-21                                                                    

Meditatio: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”Lk 2.19
                  
Oratio: O God, You revealed to the shepherds through Your angels the identity of Jesus and in turn the identity that Mary was His Mother.

I remember Luke recorded for us the angels appearance to the shepherds and announced the Good News that a Savior was born who is the Messiah and Lord and they found it to be so.

Grant that I may always revere Mary as the Mother of God for that is what she is and also revere her as my Mother for that is what she is through grace.

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: "Mary...things...reflecting”; Mary kept the things that happened at the time of her Son’s birth and reflected on them just at the early Church did; and the Church found that Mary was truly the Mother of God, the Thetokos.; in prayer thank God for the great gift of Mary as our Mother, too, one to whom we can always have recourse with great confidence now and at the hour of our death and ask and accept the grace to live as her children.
   
Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.19-28

12.20.13

              


Lectio:    Jn 1.1-18                                                         

Meditatio: “But to those who did accept him [Jesus] he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.” Jn 1.13
                  
Oratio: O God, how wonderfully You treat us for so little on our part.

I remember John the Evangelist proclaimed that all who accept Your Son and believe in Him become You children. Wow!

Grant that I may be always a good child of Yours and a good sibling of Jesus and do what He proclaimed and which You desire; namely live in accord 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: "accept...become children”; acceptance and belief in Jesus carries with an awesome gift - ‘divinity’; in prayer seek the grace of a strong faith in Jesus and the grace to do what He wills and avoid sin as that will take us away from Him.
   
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 2.16-21

12.29.13

           

Lectio:   Lk 2.36-40                                              

Meditatio: “And coming forward at that very time, she [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” Lk 2.38
                  
Oratio: O God, You know we need help to recognize things that are divine and so you send us prophets and prophetesses from time to time.

I remember You sent Anna to the Temple the day when Jesus was presented in accord with the Law that all males should be consecrated to the Lord, and she pronounced to all present that this child was the Messiah.                                        

Grant that I may be always aware of my Baptismal calling that I am to be a prophet, that  I am called to speak to others about the things of God which they need to know about God for their good for that is how I fulfill my calling.

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: "[Anna} spoke...child...redemption”; Anna, a prophetess,  revealed to those present that the child was the long awaited Messiah; and we have the same obligation to make Jesus known to those whose lives we touch and who do not yet know Him and we best to so by the lives we live.
   
Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.1-18

12.28.13

                

Lectio:   Mt 2.13-15, 19-23                            

Meditatio: “Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” Mt. 2.24  
                  
Oratio: O God, how You take care of those who are Your own!

I remember You sent an angel to Joseph to warn him about the murderous Herod and Your angel told him to take the family to Egypt. He did and  Jesus escaped the slaughter of the infants - to the benefit of all of us who came after His birth.

Grant that I may be attune to the  promptings of my guardian angel for You have given my angel charge over me for my own 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: "Joseph....child...mother...Egypt”; Joseph listened to the angel and the Holy
Family escaped into Egypt. How fortunate for them and for us! In prayer thank God for watching over us with His loving care and always trust Him regardless of the outcome for He so much wants us to return to Him. 
   
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 2.36-40                  

12.27.13

                

Lectio:   Mt 2.13-18                                                                                                                                 

Meditatio: “When Herod realized he had been deceived by the magi, he ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and younger, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.” Mt 2.16
                  
Oratio: O God, You gave us the ability to love but that same ability enables us to hate,

I remember Herod, who was a paranoid, ordered the killing of all the boys two years and  younger in the Bethlehem area because he wanted to stamp out any possible claimant to his throne. How terrible! How awful! How contrary to love!

Grant that I may use my free will to love and not to hate so that I may image You for it is in Your image that I was created.

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: "massacred....all the boys”: Herod ordered the killing of not just one but ALL the boys in the area. How despicable! How hateful! In prayer seek the grace to use my free will rightly and always in a loving way to myself, to others and to God.
   
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 2.13-15, 19-23         

12.26.13

         

Lectio:   Jn 20.1a, 2-8                                                                                                                   

Meditatio: “Then the other disciple also went in, the one who arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.” Jn 20.8
                  
Oratio: O God, You gave us our five senses to help us to know and to believe.

I remember Your apostle John, when he entered the empty tomb that first Easter Sunday Morning and saw the burial cloths and the cloth that covered His head rolled up and in a separate place, believed in the resurrection because he saw the evidence and had heard Jesus foretell it..

Grant that I may use my five sense wisely and especially in support of my faith for seeing and hearing about the resurrection brought John to belief in the Risen Lord.

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: "he saw...believed”: the disciple John saw the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection in the empty tomb plus he had heard Jesus speak about the things above; and in seeing supported by his hearing, he came to faith in Jesus’ resurrection; in prayer ask for the grace to use our five senses in support of our faith, knowing that we always need at least two sense to confirm our perception for John believed because he both saw and heard and  what we hear preached and what we see of the lives in action of those who believe, will help support our faith and bring others to faith.
   
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 2.13-18                  

12.25.13

               

Lectio:   Lk 2.15-20                                                                                                        

Meditatio: “So they [shepherds] went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.” Lk 2.16 
                  
Oratio: O God, You love all and especially the lowly.

I remember the angels revealed the birth of Your Son to the shepherds who were tending their flock and they would be the first to know of His birth and to pay Him homage - and their homage was most acceptable.

Grant that I may be ever mindful that it is not what I have but who I am at the core of my being which counts in Your eyes.  Please give me the grace to live in accord with the Good News and always see Your Son as the Way, the Truth and the 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: "they...found...infant”: the shepherds believed the message of the angels and went in haste to where Jesus was and they became the first to pay Him homage. What a privilege for them! What a privilege we have everyday when we partake of the Eucharist! In prayer seek a strong faith so that the many ways in which Son is present, I will recognize Him and give Him the honor and praise and thanks He deserves.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 20.1a, 2-8

P.S. May your Christmas be a blessed time, a happy time, a holy time, a wondrous time. May you and yours bask in the Christ’s child love and His peace and joy.

12.24.13

                

Lectio: Mt 1.18-25                                                                                              

Meditatio: “She [Mary] will bear a son and you [Joseph] are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Mt.1.21
                  
Oratio: O God, You love us so much and You sent Your very Son to save us so that all could come back to You.

I remember an angel in a dream informed Joseph that he was to name his foster child and the son of Mary, ‘Jesus’ as He would save His people from their sins - how kind and merciful of You!                 

Grant that I may ever mindful of Jesus, Your Son and my Brother, and put into action the Good News He proclaimed.

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: "Jesus...save...sins”; Jesus very role in coming into our world shows forth in His name and we are the wonderful beneficiaries of His coming. In prayer seek the grace to accept His coming and to live the Good News that He preached.          

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 2.15-20 

12.23.13

             

Lectio:  Lk 1.67-79                                                                                  

Meditatio: “And you my child, will be called prophet of the most high, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins.” Lk 1. 76,77
                  
Oratio: O God, how you want us to return to You for not only did You send Your Son but you also sent John, the Baptist, to prepare us to receive Your Son.

I remember Zechariah, John ‘s father, prophesied that John would be the prophet of the Most High and he would call us to prepare the way for the Lord by repenting of our sins.

Grant that I may ever mindful of John’s call to repent and whenever I have the misfortune to sin, to immediately repent and turn back to You for You so much want all to return to You and only sin will keep us away.

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: "prophet...salvation...forgiveness”; a prophet is one who speaks about the things of God which God wants others to know about Him; John the Baptist fulfilled this role by calling people to repent for that is the sure way back to God. In prayer seek the grace to remain faithful to the ways that God has set forth for us and, if we fail, for the grace to freely admit it and to repent so that as to stay on the way back to God.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 1.18-25                                                     

12.22.13

               

Lectio: Lk 1.57-66                                                                       

Meditatio: “He [Zechariah] asked for a tablet and wrote, ‘John is his name’ and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” Lk 1. 63,64                 
                  
Oratio: O God, what wonderful signs You give at times so that more and more will come to believe.

I remember Zechariah was made speechless when he did not believe the angel who told him that he and his wife, Elizabeth would have a child despite their old age. Yet when the child was born he gave him the name the angel said the baby should have and he immediately gained his speech to the awe in all the hill country.

Grant that I may ever mindful that You continue to be at work among us and to be opened to the many miracles which you grant for the need of the individual and for the strengthening of faith.

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: "John is his name...tongue free”; by Zechariah naming his new born son, John, he did what the angel had requested and used the regaining of his speech to speak of Your blessings.  May I use my gift of speech to give praise and honor to You for all You have done for me.                

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.67-79                                                     

12.21.13

   
Lectio:  Mt 1.18-24                                         

Meditatio: “Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.” Mt. 1.18
                  
Oratio: O God, what a man You selected as the husband for Mary - Joseph, a holy and righteous man who lived in accord with the tenets of his religion.

I remember after Joseph was betrothed - the first part of marriage - but before he took Mary into his home - the second part of marriage - he discovered that Mary was pregnant. This was  an offense, if exposed, which amounted to adultery and was punishable by stoning to death.- But Joseph listened to the angel sent to him and instead of divorcing her, he took her into his home and saved Mary from death and saved Jesus so that Jesus could save the world.

Grant that I may respond to the angels you place in my life - those who show compassion; and in seek the grace to be a person of compassion for others.

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: "Mary betrothed... with child”; the first part of the marriage contract had taken place when Mary was found with child; how hard it must have been for Joseph to believe an angel who said that she had conceived the child through the holy Spirit; yet Joseph believed to the benefit of all; in prayer ask for the grace of a strong faith which allows me to accept things to wonderful for me to understand yet which God reveals for my good or for the good of others.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.57-66

12.20.13

Lectio:  Lk 1.39-45                              

Meditatio: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Lk 1.45

Oratio: O God, how wonderfully You treat us and others when we simply believe in You.

I remember Elizabeth declared Mary ‘blessed’ because she believed and so she was as was Elizabeth because Mary believed the angel’s message that Elizabeth was with child and Mary came to help her.

Grant that I may have faith always in You and that gift of faith will be my blessing, too, for it gives so much comfort to me now and especially will it be for me  at the hour of death.  

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: "blessed....believed; the ‘blessed’ are those highly favored; and ‘believe’ means to accept what has been revealed even though I only have the Word for my belief; in prayer seek the grace to remain faithful to the Word and to do what He wishes me to do for therein lies blessedness for me and through me blessedness for others, too..

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 1.18-24

2.19.13

Lectio:  Lk 1.26-38                   

Meditatio: “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel [Gabriel] left her.” Lk1.38

Oratio: O God, how wonderfully You made us -  free in every respect, free to love, sadly even free to hate; but Your gift of free will bestows the greatest aspect of our humanity and You so respect it that You will not force us to do anything unless we say yes.

I remember the greatest example of our freedom was when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was selected to be the mother of the Son of God; yet her consent was needed in order for Your will to be accomplished.

Grant that I may be always open to Your  will and like Mary, give our fiat, so that Your wishes may be accomplished as You wish through 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: "handmaid...done"; a ‘handmaid’ is a servant; ‘be it done’ is a clear acceptance of God’s invitation made through Gabriel to be the mother of His Son through the power of the Holy Spirit - What faith on Mary’s part! What love on Mary’s part! In prayer seek the grace to be docile and open to the will of God and then do what He wishes us to do.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.39-45

12.18,13

Lectio: Lk 1.5-25

Meditatio: “But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these  things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." Lk 1.20

Oratio: O God, how far beyond human understanding are Your ways at times.

I remember the Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that his wife and he would have a child even though both were on in age, and when Zechariah expressed how, he was made speechless - it seems so unfair for it was a doubt that all would have had in such a situation; but when the baby is born and named, we see why.

Grant that I may be always open to Your ways even though I don't understand why for You alone can see the total picture and what You wish to accomplish.

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: "speechless ...not believe"; mute because he did not believe what he thought was humanly impossible; but God used this physical evil to bring about the wonderful event of the baby's naming.  In prayer seek to be docile in the face of divine mystery knowing in faith that God's ways are not always our way.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.26-38

12.17.13

Lectio:  Mt   1.18-25                                                                                                                                                                                 
Meditatio: “Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived by her’.” Mt 1.20

Oratio: O God, You are so kind and considerate of us and you do not expect us to know and accept things of which we have no knowledge nor could have knowledge of.

I remember You sent an angel to Joseph to tell him that he should take Mary as his wife and that her pregnancy was through the holy Spirit - How he must have been mystified by such a message! But wonderfully and with Your grace he accepted it and Mary and Jesus had a proper home in which Your plan of salvation would unfold.

Grant that I may have the grace to accept the mysteries of faith which the church presents to  me for You have given the Pope and the bishops in union with him infallibility in all matters of faith and morals.

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: "Joseph...afraid...take Mary”; God enlightens us in wonderful ways in order that His plans might be carried out; how wonderful that He revealed to Joseph the role of the holy Spirit for at that time the Holy Spirit was not known by people of faith; thus, Joseph showed great faith in accepting the angel’s explanation and to the benefit of all down through the ages.. In prayer seek the grace to always rejoice in the role of St. Joseph for he acted with great faith and we are the  beneficiaries of his faith and seek his protection now and at the hour of our death.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.5-25  

12.16.13

Lectio:   Mt   1.1-17                                                                                                                                                                    
Meditatio: “Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.” Mt 1.16       

Oratio: O God, You had foretold through the prophets that the Messiah would come from the  house of David - and so He did in the fullness of time.

I remember in the genealogy of Jesus as recorded by Matthew, Joseph was shown to be of the house of David and the patrimony of a child was determined by the male side of the family unless the father disowned the child. How wonderful, that the prophecy of old came to be true even though Jesus was conceived and born of a virgin.

Grant that I may be ever in awe at Your wisdom and Your power and Your word; and for the grace to readily accept Your word as proclaimed now by the Pope and the bishops in union with him in all matters of faith and morals.

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: "Joseph...husband...Mary. Messiah”; the conclusion of Jesus genealogy which shows clearly that Jesus was a son of David and in it we see an implicit confirmation of Jesus’ virginal birth. In prayer seek the grace to be always gratefully to a kind and merciful and all-knowing God who watches over us and guards and guides us through our guardian angels for we are wonderfully and greatly blest beyond any merit on our part.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt   1.18-25   

12.15.13

Lectio: Mt 21.23-27                                                                                                                                                         
Meditatio: “When he [Jesus] had come into the temple area, thee chief priests and elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things?  And who gave you this authority’?” Mt 21.23      

Oratio: O God, how sad it was that the very ones who should have easily recognized that Jesus was the Messiah did not because Jesus was not the Messiah of their mold.

I remember they asked Jesus by what authority He was doing things, yet when he asked them by what authority John the Baptist did his things, they refused to answer because they knew they were in the wrong in rejecting John and they thereby showed their lack of sincerity of their question and that we were not open to truth.

Grant that I may be ever glad that Jesus came to us with the Good News and that our ancestors in faith accepted him and we are the wonderful beneficiaries of their faith. May I pass my faith on to others and especially by how I live 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: "priests and elders...authority”; the religious leaders should have easily recognized by His actions that His authority was from God on high; but in their pride and in their covet for power they deliberately ignored the obvious to their detriment and to the detriment of the people they were called to serve. In prayer ask for a strong faith an for the grace to put it into practice for faith is for my benefit and for the benefit of those whose olives I touch.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt   1.1-17   

12.14.13

Lectio: Mt 11.2-11                                                                                                                                              
Meditatio: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of woman there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than the he.” Mt 11. 11

Oratio: O God, how you finally bless us despite our earthly lowliness!

I remember Jesus declared that although John the Baptist was the greatest to be born of woman (no doubt because of his role as the prophet who was to prepare the way of the Lord}; yet Jesus also said that the least in heaven is greater than he - how Jesus measures greatness - not as man does but as God does - and a person in heaven ,regardless of his or her status on earth, has achieved the ultimate greatness.

Grant that I may ever rejoice in the kind and merciful and loving God whose only concern is that we successfully journey back to him and not what we were on the journey.

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 greater...least...is greater”; John, the Baptist, because he was the prophet who was foretold of old and who fulfilled his mission to call the people to repent and prepare the way for the Lord; nevertheless, a person, no matter how little his or her status on earth, upon reaching heaven is now greater in the eyes of God, the only eyes that matter; in prayer, thank God for preparing such a final place for us where we live on as His children; and seek the grace to live this life as a child of God and to live in accord with the Golden Rule. 

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 21.23-27

12.13.13

Lectio:  Mt 17.9a, 10-13                                                                                                                            
Meditatio: “The disciples asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first’? Mt 17.10

Oratio: O God, You know how fundamentalism, that is a literal interpretation of Scriptures, can mislead and lead us astray.    

I remember the Scribes of Jesus time, had interpreted the Scriptures that Elijah would come again to prepare the way for the Messiah; and since Elijah did not yet come, it became one of their reasons for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. But Jesus made clear that the Scriptures were fulfilled with the coming of John the Baptist because he was a great prophet in the mold of Elijah and with the message of Elijah - to repent and the same work - to prepare the way of the Lord. This incident is also a reminder we should be careful of how we interpret Scripture and that fundamentalism is at times greatly flawed.

Grant that I may be grateful for John the Baptist and respond to his message and repent for that is why he came and that is what we must do if we wish the benefits of the Messiah’s coming to be ours.

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: "Elijah...first”: Elijah was the great prophet of old who called people to repent and who was expected to come again to prepare the way for the Messiah since Elijah did not die but ascended in a whirlwind to God and his return to prepare the way for the Messiah was expected by the Scribes and they expected a literal return and not a figurative return. In prayer seek the advice for the meaning of Scriptures when its plain meaning is not evident so that the Word of God may have the benefit for us that God intended.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 11.2-11  

12.12.13

Lectio:  Mt 11.16-19                                                                                                                

Meditatio: “For the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” Mt 11.19

Oratio: O God, You know how fickle we are, yet You continue to reach out to us for You so much want all of us to journey safely back to You.

I remember in the fullness of time You sent John the Baptist to us but he was rejected for he was seen as to radical and he was dubbed “possessed by a demon” and then Your Son came and extended compassion and mercy to all and especially to sinners and He, too, was rejected. But Your wisdom would be vindicated as His disciples would establish Your kingdom here on earth and make it possible for future generations to journey successfully to the kingdom.

Grant that I may rejoice in Your daughter, Mary and our Blessed Mother, this day, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for She has been the mother of the Americas ever since her appearance on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico this very day in 1531. May I also have recourse to her.

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: "friend...sinners”: in their faulty view of the world the religious leaders believed that sinners should be cast out and not ministered to; yet they are the very ones  for whom God’s Son came; in prayer thank God for being so kind and merciful and for the grace to allow ourselves to be used as instruments of His mercy and love.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 17.9a, 10-13  

12.11.13

Lectio:  Lk 1.39-47                                                                                                    

Meditatio: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Lk 1.43

Oratio: O God, You do great things for us and holy is Your name.         

I remember Mary visited her cousin soon after she conceived Your Son and Elizabeth rightfully declared how and implied why for You do great things for us so that we may bask in Your goodness and Your kindness all our days.

Grant that I may rejoice in Your daughter, Mary and our Blessed Mother, for being who she is and for coming to us in our needs throughout the ages.

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: "how...mother...Lord...come”: Mary not only visited Elizabeth because she knew of her need but she willingly reached out to help her; and Mary has done this many times down through the ages so that we might draw close to Her Son and believe and be saved; I remember that on December 12, 1531 Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico and left her image on his tilma so that all would believe and the Mexicans did believe and infant and human sacrifices to their gods ceased and over 9,000,000 were converted within nine years. Belief in her Son continues down through the present. Her image is still available for all to see in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City - a great sign that she is still present to us as our Mother. 

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 11.16-19                  

12.10.13

Lectio:  Mt 11.28-30                                                                                        

Meditatio: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt 18.28

Oratio: O God, You are so gracious and concerned for our well being.

I remember Jesus invited all who were burdened from their labors to come to Him and He would give them rest; and it was not an empty invitation for He told them to take His yoke upon them and it would be the source of   His relief - how? To yoke means to join and when we are joined to Jesus He is the One who can and does help us with our burdens for a burden shared is a burden made lighter.

Grant that I may rejoice in Your loving care for me and with Your grace remain a dedicated disciple and do Your will and stayed joined to Your Son.

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...me...rest”; Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him; if we accept His invite; we will find rest for His yoke is easy; that is it will not cause painful rubbing for it will be well-fitted and being well-fitted the load we are carrying will be a load Jesus shares with us and in His sharing, it becomes so much lighter.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.39-47  

12.09.13

Lectio:  Mt 18.12-14                                                                            

Meditatio: “In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Mt 18.14

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to return to You!

I remember Jesus declared that it is not Your will that the little ones be lost but rather You would actively seek any who go astray.

Grant that I may rejoice in Your loving care for me and with Your grace remain a dedicated disciple and do 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: "little ones...lost ”; “little ones” are Jesus’ disciples; we are His little ones today; “lost” means to lose our way to the Father; in prayer thank our heavenly Father for His great concern for us and His coming after us if we lose our way for He so much wants all of Jesus’ disciples, past and present, to successfully make the journey to the kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 11.28-30      

12.08.13

Lectio:  Lk 1.26-38                                                                 

Meditatio: “But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?’ Therefore, the child to be born will be called the holy, the Son of God.” Lk 1.34

Oratio: O God, You ways are so marvelous and so often beyond our ways!

I remember the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be bear a child, not through a man, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, for  the child would  be the Son of God as well as the son of Mary.                    

Grant that I may be always open to the marvelous ways You interact with us and with the universe and always give thanks and praise and always stand in awe at You - for You are so great and so powerful and yet so caring of 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: "How?...no relations”; a natural question; a supernatural response for it would be the Holy Spirit who would fertilize Mary’s egg in her ovary and bring about the conception of Jesus in her womb; in prayer on this day on which we celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception as it was moved from the 8th, a Sunday, to the 9th; because it is a feast that is never suppressed, for it is a happening that changed everything for all humanity. In prayer thank God for intervening in our history in such a wonderful fashion and may we always follow what His Son taught, the Great Law of Love; and thus show the only gratitude that God wants of us.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 18.12-14     

12.07.13

Lectio: Mt 3.1-12                                                       

Meditatio: “Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance.” Mt 3.8                   

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to return to You but You want us to show our interest by not simply expressing sorrow for our failings but by positive acts of goodness  as evidence of our repentance.

I remember John the Baptist in his proclamation to the people that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand made it clear that repentance, and evidence of by deeds and not simply by words, is what You want from all who accept Your kingdom. 

Grant that I may heed the call to repent and to show it by striving with Your grace to live a life of love for You, for others and for self.

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: "good fruits...evidence...repentance”; to repent means to turn around; to turn back to God and God’s way for us; and thereafter to bear good fruits as the result of our turning to Him; in prayer ask for the grace to show my sorrow for my sins not just in words but most especially in good deeds for that is what God wants of me.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.26-38      

P.S. Remember in your prayers today all the brave men and women who died for us in WWII which began for our country on this very day in 1941.             

12.06.13

Lectio: Mt 9.35-10,1, 5a. 6-8                         

Meditatio: “At the sight of the crowds, his [Jesus’] heart was moved with pity for them for they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” Mt 9.36

Oratio: O God, only feeling pity for others has never been Your way nor should it be our way.

I remember Jesus not only felt pity for the crowds but He did for them curing them of every disease and illness and feeding them spiritually with the Good News! - In short He was compassionate.           

Grant that I may be always mindful of the needs and struggles of others and not only feel for them but do for them what is within my ability for that is Jesus’ way and it must be my way, 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: "pity....troubled... shepherd"; the people had many problems, physical and spiritual; and Jesus responded but not simply expressing His pity for them  but doing for them what He had the ability. In prayer ask for the grace to be a compassionate person who lets pity for others  prompt action to help the other for that is what Jesus wants of us.      

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 3.1-12

12.05.13

Lectio: Mt 9.27-31              

Meditatio: “Then he [Jesus] touched their eyes and said, ‘Let it be done for you according to your faith’.” Mt 9.29  

Oratio: O God, what power Your Son has and He readily uses it for our benefit!

I remember Jesus healed two blind men by a simple touch of their eyes because they had faith in Him - wow!                 

Grant that I may be always mindful of the power of touch and especially the touch of Jesus and seek His help in faith and allow Him to respond as He sees best.

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: "touched...eyes ... done"; the two blind men both expressed their faith in Jesus that He could heal them and Jesus did what is still beyond modern doctors’ ability and restored their sight by a simple touch.  In prayer seek the grace for a strong faith, a faith of a child - and know that touch is so powerful especially done in Jesus’ name and allow Jesus to use you as His instrument of healing.        

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 9.35-10,1, 5a. 6-8

12.04.13

Lectio: Mt 7.21,24-27

Meditatio: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock." Mt7.24

Oratio: O God, You sent Your Son so we would know what we had to do to successfully journey back to you.

I remember Jesus made It very clear that we must both listen and act on His words if we wish to do so successfully.

Grant that I may always heed His advice and so lay a rock solid foundation for a pro-active faith.

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: "listens....acts"; to hear the Word requires us to act on His word and if we do, He has declared us wise which means we are on the right course to heaven; may we have the grace to always stay on it.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 9.27-31

12.03.13

Lectio:  Mt 15.29-37                  

Meditatio: “The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified God.” Mt 15.31                                                                     
Oratio: O God, how blind we can be especially those who should see - the religious leaders

I remember Jesus preformed all kinds of healing before a great crowd numbering at least 4,000 not counting women and children and the crowd believed but obviously the religious leaders were not there and they refused to accept the testimony of the commoners to their detriment.

Grant that I may ever grateful for Jesus making so obvious His divine authority so that the New Way that He preached we know is the sure way to the eternal 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: "crowds...amazed...glorified God”; Jesus performed all kind of healing in front of a large crowd and they immediately so it as the hand of God at work among them but not the elite who sadly remained blind to the things that really matter. May I be ever grateful to Jesus for showing so clearly His authority and with God’s grace may I adhere to His
Way, His truth, His Life for therein lies my best and eternal interests.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 7.21, 24-27

12.02.13

Lectio:  Mt 16.15-20                                                                           

Meditatio: “These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile. “ Mt 16.20                                                          

Oratio: O God, what You have created is good but we, though well intentioned, make rules that often  miss the point.                                        

I remember the Pharisees of Jesus’ time considered the failure to wash one’s hands as defiling the person; but Jesus made it clear it is not what we eat or take into our mouths which defiles, but what comes out of our mouth from the heart such as lies, evil thoughts, murder, lust, etc.

Grant that I may ever grateful for Jesus giving us the guidance on what is true worship and what we ought to do; and willingly give our hearts and minds to God and serve others selflessly so You will be rightly praised.

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: "eat...unwashed hands... not defile”; the Pharisees made hygiene laws religious laws and worried about clean hands but did not worry about having clean hearts;     In prayer thank Jesus for correcting false worship practices and for giving us the Eucharist and the Great Law of Love as the best way of giving thanks and praise to our God and for our spiritual benefit as well.     
                        
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 15.29-37 

12.01.13

Lectio:  Mt 8.5-11                                                                 

Meditatio: “The centurion said in reply, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed’.” Mt 8.8

Oratio: O God, You gave Your Son such power that those who were really attentive and really searched, they would find Him and the truth about Him..

I remember a centurion, a Gentile, had seen or heard of Jesus in action, and he believed that Jesus had the power to heal through a word - what faith the centurion had! And what a result! Jesus healed his servant from a distance!                              

Grant that I may ever grateful for Jesus’ coming, speaking with authority and showing He had divine power so that it would easier for all to accept Him and His Words.|

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 worthy...only say the word”;   the Centurion, like all, knew his unworthiness to have Jesus physically present to him and his household; but had such fath that he believed that Jesus could heal from a distance and Jesus did; in prayer seek the grace of a strong faith - a faith like the centurion’s; so that when I seek I may find, and when I ask in His name, it will be given to me; and for the grace to be in tune to what He would want and accept what He gives, knowing He will give what is best for us or others at the time.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 16.15-20