1.31.14

Lectio: Mk 4.35-41                                                                                 

Meditatio: “They were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey’?” Mk 4.41

Oratio: O God, You sent Your Son to us with great power so that people would more readily believe in Him.          

I remember Jesus spoke and violent winds and sea immediately grew calm  - Wow! Yet, His disciples were only astonished and they would continue throughout His public ministry appear to be dense as to Who Jesus is.

Grant that I may be grateful for the many manifestations of Your Divinity which You give for our edification and to draw us to faith and for the many manifestations of the divinity of Your Son; and may I have the grace to be open to the many ways You make Yourself known for it is for my benefit and for the lives of those I touch.

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"Who...wind and sea obey”: The question should have been Why for the answer to the question Who should have been obvious; in prayer thank God for loving us so and for manifesting so clearly in Jesus that we should put our faith in Him for our salvation and for the salvation of those whose lives we touch.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 2.22-40    

1.30.14

Lectio: Mk 4.26-34                                                                      

Meditatio: “He [Jesus] said, ‘To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it’?” Mk 4.30

Oratio: O God, You want us to plumb the great mysteries so as to have some understanding  of them.                   

I remember Jesus used parables to teach the people of the great mysteries of their salvation and He used the parable of the  seed. which grows by itself, among others ; in this parable  when we search for its underlying meaning we come to realize that the growth of the kingdom of God is not brought about by our power but through His as He planted the seeds.

Grant that I may always be grateful for the gift of faith which was passed on to me through many throughout the ages and because of it, the kingdom of God is now a good possibility for us if we allow Jesus to use us as He wills. Like the seed which  is sown we will produce the results He wishes.

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"kingdom...parable”; the kingdom of God is a wonderful and glorious mystery; we best get a glimpse of it through parables, which are teaching stories, whose messages are not in the surface line of the stories but in its underlying meaning. From the parable of the sower of seed, we see that the growth of the Kingdom of God here on earth is through God’s power and its growth is through His using us to bring it about. And if we allow Him to do so, in the end God will give us a place in the eternal kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 4.35-41

1.29.14

Lectio: Mk 4.21-25                                                           

Meditatio: “He [Jesus] also said to them,’Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you’.” Mk 4.24

Oratio: O God, You want us to be fair in treating others for that is Your way.                

I remember Jesus called people to take care about how they measured for that is how they will be measured.

Grant that I may always remember the old adage, “Do unto others, as you would have them do to you.” And then seek the grace to abide by this principle and God will be pleased and we will be fair in our judgments.

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"you measure ...measure to you”; measure in this context means to judge. We must remember that judgment is the Lord and in our making judgements that we can only see things from the surface, and therefore should always give the other the benefit of the doubt. In prayer seek to be fair in judging others and seek the grace to abide be the Golden Rule. And if we do, God will in the end give so much more.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 4.26-34

1.28.14

Lectio: Mk 4.1-20                                                 

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

Oratio: O God, You want to be the object of our love and the treasure for us beyond price.

I remember Your Son warned us of the dangers of worldly anxiety, riches and cravings that can choke off our love for You to our great detriment for without You we are nothing.

Grant that I may always remember You alone should I adore, You alone should I worship, You alone should I love with my whole heart, soul and strength and You will bring us safely home for we will have done 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"lure...choke the word”; the attraction of things of this world, if unchecked, can become the object of our love and choke off our love for God; in prayer seek the grace to be attracted of the things of God so that our love for Him may ever increase and no other lure will have any hold in our hearts.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 4.21-25  

1.27.14

Lectio: Mk 3 31-35                                      

Meditatio: “[For] whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mk 3.25

Oratio: O God, You desire an intimate relationship with us.        

I remember Your Son said that if we do Your will, we are His brothers and sisters and even mother to Him - what a close relationship You have made possible for us.

Grant that I may always remember doing Your will is the most important thing for me in this life for it assures me that close relationship with You that I could never have earned nor ever have deserved; and for the grace to do Your will in all things.

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"will ...my brother;” The will of God is my reason for being and the basis for my great dignity; In prayer seek the grace to know God’s will and then to do it in all things for that is the way of my lasting good.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 4.1-20         

1.26.14

Lectio: Mk 3.22-30                                      

Meditatio: “But whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” MK 3.29

Oratio: O God, You are full of compassion and forgiving. But!

I remember Your Son said that there is one sin that is an everlasting sin and will never be forgiven - blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.  This seems to contradict Your willingness to forgive - but it does not because blasphemy against the Holy Spirit means the sinner has hardened his heart against You by attributing Your works to the devil; and to be forgiven requires a person to be open to it and seek it; neither disposition is present is a person who has hardened his heart against You.

Grant that I may always remember God’s all-forgiving nature and if I have the misfortune to sin, to immediately turn to Him and ask for His forgiveness and He will readily give it; and if the sin is mortal, to also receive the sacrament of reconciliation so as to have a sure sign of God’s forgiveness.

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"blasphemes ...Holy Spirit;” blasphemy consists of attributing ti Satan a work or a deed that clearly is the work or deed of God; if it is coupled with a hardness of heart, it is an unforgivable sin because of the disposition  of the sinner. In prayer seek the grace to always have a humble and contrite heart which is always open to our most kind and merciful God.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.31-35        

1.25.14

Lectio: Mt 4.12-23                           

Meditatio: “From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’.” Mk 4.17   

Oratio: O God, You made it clear when the fullness of time had occurred.

I remember first You sent John the Baptist to prepare the people by calling them to repent and after he was arrested, Your son continued to call the people to repent in the same words as John so the people would see in His preaching and healings that it was the work of Yours and a solid basis to accept Jesus’ message.

Grant that I may remember this great blessing You bestowed on us through Your Son - the kingdom of heaven,   and to do our part to make it known to all with whom we have influence.

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"preach....Repent”; Jesus made it clear that the Kingdom of Heaven is for those who turn away from sin and John the Baptist did so too, if one wanted to participate in the Kingdom. In prayer seek the grace to always turn away from sin and believe in the Good News for therein lies eternal life and membership in the Kingdom forever.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.22-30      

1.24.14

Lectio: Mk 6.15-18               

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

Oratio: O God, how kind You are to all!

I remember Your Son commissioned His apostles to go out to every creature and not to simply the Chosen Ones so that all may hear the Good News and so that all could be saved by simply believing in the Good News.

Grant that I may remember this great blessing You bestowed on us through Your Son and to do our part to make it known to all with whom we have influence.

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"Go...proclaim...every”; The Good News was for every creature because we have a Good and Gracious and Kindly God who wants all to return to Him at the end of this life’s journey. In prayer seek the grace to do your part by willingly be God’s instrument in bringing the Good News to those in your surroundings.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 4.12-23      

1.23.14

Lectio: Mk 3.13-19               

Meditatio: “He [Jesus] appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach.” Mk 3.14

Oratio: O God, what great dignity and responsibility You bestowed  on us.

I remember Your Son selected 12 men to be with Him and whom He could send forth and preach the Good News. And they did!

Grant that I may remember the great dignity You gave to us by virtue of our baptism, and bee Your apostles of the Good News to those whose lives we touch.

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"apostles...send...preach; Jesus selected 12 men to carry on His mission and although they were uneducated and a motley crew; all but 1 did what He wanted on them and we are the beneficiaries of their work and that of their successors. In prayer seek the grace to fulfill our baptismal responsibility and spread the Good News especially by the lives we live.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 16.15-18    

1.22.14

Lectio: Mk 3.7-12                

Meditatio: “Hearing what he [Jesus] was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.” Mk 3. 8

Oratio: O God, how fickle we are!

I remember large crowds from all over the region came out to see Your Son, to listen to His preaching and to receive healings; yet when it was time to decide who should live and who should die, they did not choose Him but a common criminal - How sad! How fickle!

Grant that I may remember the wonders of His preachings and the wonders of His life, and always seek to put into practice the Good News He preached.

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"Hearing...large number”; Jesus’s preaching and healings attracted many from many places in the region; yet no one supported Him on Good Friday;  in prayer seek the grace to keep His command to love one another as you love yourself for therein lies to core principle for our salvation and by doing so, Jesus’ coming will not be in vain for us and that is the best way to express our gratitude to Him for all He did and all He continues to do for us..

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.13-19     

1.21.14

Lectio: Mk 3.1-6                       

Meditatio: “They [the Pharisees] watched him closely to see if he [Jesus] would cure him on the sabbath so they might accuse him.” Mk 3.2     

Oratio: O God, the Pharisees, one of the  religious elites, were  responsible for enforcing the man-made Holiness Code and they became so extreme in interpreting it, that they held it bo unlawful to do healings on the sabbath for it was work.
-
I remember Jesus confronted them head on and healed in front of them a man with a withered hand and asking them if it is lawful to do good on the sabbath or to do evil. Sadly, there response was to go out and immediately take counsel against him to put him to death. Obviously, in their view it was O.K. to kill an innocent man, one of the ten commandents of God,  but not to heal on the sabbath, one of their man made prohibition.

Grant that I may remember   the sabbath rest is not intended to be burdensome nor as an obstacle to do good but to help us to in our quest for holiness.

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"watched...would cure”; sadly the religious elite were not really interested in doing or refrain from doing activities which help to make one holy but only seeking justification to eliminate opposition to the status quo and their power. In prayer seek the grace to be open-minded and not wedded to the status quo for in being open-minded, new horizons and new approaches may more readily be seen, evaluated and put into action if they enhance your quest for the holy.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.7-12

1.20.14

Lectio: Mk 2. 23-28

Meditatio: “Then he [Jesus] said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath’.” Mk 2.27                                          

Oratio: O God, the religious elite had insisted that even picking grain on the sabbath to satisfy one’s hunger, was work and therefore prohibited.

I remember when they confronted Jesus, He corrected their understanding pointing out the purpose of the sabbath was to benefit man and implicit is that his physical needs and not just his spiritual needs was the purpose of the sabbath rest.

Grant that I may remember to use the sabbath as a day of rest so as to recharge my physical and spiritual batteries and not simply a day off from the work-a-day 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"sabbath...made for man”; the seventh day is intended as a day of rest but it does not mean we cannot do those things that enhance our physical well being; in prayer seek the grace to keep holy the sabbath day but to avoid scrupulous practices in doing so for God wants us to keep it a day of refreshment for us both spiritually and physically..

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.-6       

     

1.19.14

Lectio:   Mk 2.18-22                

Meditatio: “Jesus answered them, ‘Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast’.” Mk 2.19

Oratio: O God, what a wonderful way in which You constituted the people of God with the coming of Your Son.

I remember  Jesus identified Himself as the Bridegroom and by implication the people of God, His Church, is the bride. What a wonderful metaphor! What a source of the great dignity with which He holds us.

Grant that I may remember that I am a member of His Church, the very Bride of Christ! May I always have the grace to do my part to be a worthy member of the Body of Christ so that His Bride may always be praised and honored by all whose lives I touch.

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: "guests fast...bridegroom”; the people of God are likened unto guests at a wedding and Jesus is likened to the Bridegroom; and the people of God collectively is His Bride. In prayer thank our Heavenly Father for bestowing such great dignity on us and seek the grace to be worthy guests both now and forever.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.23-28

1.18.14

Lectio: Jn 1.29-34

Meditatio: “The next day he saw. Jesus coming toward him and said. "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Jn 1.29

Oratio: O God, whenever You choose someone to do an important task for the salvation of others, You establish a special relationship with them and You empower them to carry it out,

I remember when You sent Jesus to be  the savior of the world, You constituted Him as the Lamb of God, who would be the sacrifice to make reparation for the sin of the world, and You gave Him the power to forgive sins and to preach the Good News.

Grant that I may remember that I have been chosen as a child of God and by virtue of my Baptism and Confirmation I have been charged to spread the Good News and empowered to do so by the gift of the Holy Spirit. May I 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"Lamb  of God"; Jesus is the Lamb. He is the sacrifice for us. We are His siblings through Baptism. Seek the grace to carry out the role we are given so that we will be part of the solution to the salvation of those whose lives Jesus wishes to touch through us and not remain part of the problem..

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.18-22

1.17.14

Lectio: Mk 2.13-17                                                                                         

Meditatio: “Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he [Jesus] was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners’?” Mk 2.16

Oratio: O God, You sent Your Son to bring the Good News to all and not to just the elite.
        
I remember when Jesus called a tax collector to be one of His disciples and then ate with him and his friends,  the religious elite were scandalized because they considered it wrong to associate with sinners. But Jesus did not!

Grant that I may remember that the Good News is meant for all and I never should withhold my duty which flows from my baptism to spread the Good News. I must do so if I wish to please and give honor and glory to God and be true to Him as His child..

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: "scribes..why”; the scribes were part of the religious elite of their day. They were the official interpreters of the Scriptures in Jesus’ time and they enforced man-made rules in what was known as the Holiness Code. Among other things this Code proscribed associating with sinners if you wish to remain holy. Wonderfully, Jesus showed us by His actions that it what our needs are and not what people think we are, is why all are the beneficiaries of the Good News. May I always give praise and thanks to God for being so magnanimous.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.29-34             

1.16.14

Lectio: Mk 2.1-12                                                                

Meditatio: “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” - he aid to the paralytic, ‘rise, pick up your mat, and go home’.” Mk 2.10-11

Oratio: O God, You made it so clear to the crowds that Jesus had divine authority.
        
I remember when the religious elite proclaimed that He was committing blasphemy by forgiving the sins of a paralytic, He responded by commanding the paralytic to rise and walk and the paralytic did - but sad to say it only made a lasting impact on the crowd for the religious leaders remained obstinate in their opinion. 

Grant that I may remember that pride can prevent one from accepting the Good News and seek the grace of a humble and open heart, so that I may always hear the word of the Lord and put it into practice for my good and for the good of others but most of all for the greater honor and glory of God who created me and who keeps me in existence..

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: "forgive...rise”; Jesus showed His divine power to forgive sins by commanding a paralytic to rise and walk; and the paralytic did; in prayer thank Jesus for making it so clear that He, indeed, is more than a miracle worker and that He can cure our spiritual sickness as well; in prayer seek the grace to turn to Jesus in need, whether physical or spiritual, knowing He has the power to heal me of whatever is wrong with me, for my good and for the good of those whose lives I touch.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.13-17  

1.15.14

Lectio: Mk 1.40-45                                                     

Meditatio: “Moved with pity, he [Jesus] stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him,’ I do will it. Be made clean’.” Mk 1.41                     

Oratio: O God, You sent Your Son to show us among Your characteristics that You are not an aloof God but a God who is concerned for us.
        
I remember Jesus showed this side of You when He was moved by pity for a leper and cured him of it because of the leper’s faith and because He was moved by compassion because You are a compassionate God.

Grant that I may remember that the Good News is not something to be memorized but above all it is to be put into action in the way of we live; and compassion, not just pity but a reaching out to help, must be a key component of how we live for that is Jesus’ way.

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.. touched...Be...clean”; Jesus shows us that pity is not enough but also the power of touch and most importantly the requirement that we do what we are able to alleviate the plight of another. In prayer seek the grace to always remember the power of touch and that Jesus touched the untouchable, the leper, and then healed him. We must do what we can when someone is suffering for that is the Good News in action.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.1-12   

1.14.14

Lectio: Mk 1.29-39                                          

Meditatio: “He [Jesus] told them, ‘Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach to there also. For this purpose I have come’.” Mk 1.38                     

Oratio: O God, You sent Your Son for all and not for just some.       

I remember when the people of Capernaum wanted Him to stay there, He made it clear that He must continue His itinerant ways and go on to those who have not yet heard the Good News.

Grant that I may remember that the Good News is not something to be hidden but something to be proclaimed to all and then to allow the seeds of faith take root in God’s time.

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: "go..preach...there”; Jesus made it clear when Peter let Him know that all the people of Capernaum were looking for Him because He had done such miraculous things there, that He was not interested in adulation but in mission; in prayer seek the grace to spread the Good News to those who do not yet know it and whose lives I touch so that all may benefit as Jesus wants.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.40-45 

1.13.14

Lectio:  Mk 1.21-28                              

Meditatio: “All were amazed and asked one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands and even the unclean spirits obey him’.” Mk 1.27

Oratio: O God, What authority You gave Your Son for our good!          

I remember You sent Your Son who not only taught with authority but He showed divine power by casting out demons by word alone and all who witnessed this were truly amazed.

Grant that I may remember nothing is impossible with You and that often You perform miracles for us so as to strengthen our 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: "amazed....authority”; crowds saw Jesus and heard Him and that word says it all and they readily accepted His authority; but what happened over time; the religious leaders misled the people to their detriment; in prayer seek the grace to lead those whose lives I touch in the ways of truth and in the ways of Jesus for the good of all for that is why he came.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.29-39 

1.12.14

Lectio: Mt 1.14-20                   

Meditatio: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mk 1.15

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

I remember You sent Your Son to call us back to Your kingdom and only imposed two conditions - repent and believe!

Grant that whenever I sin, that I immediately turn back to You and seek Your forgiveness and may I always have the grace of a strong and lasting faith in the Good News and reflect it in the life I live.

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: "repent....believe"; Jesus gave us His Father’s message as to how to return to heaven; namely; turn back to Him with a contrite heart and believe in His overall message. In prayer seek the grace to always have a contrite heart and to evidence my belief in the gospel by living in accord with the great Law of Love which is at the heart of the Good News so that others will be attracted to it and learning of it, become followers of Jesus and find their way back to kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.21-28                            

1.11.14

Lectio: Mt 3.13-17

Meditatio: “And a voice came from the heavens, saying 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'." Mt 3.17

Oratio: O God, You did not want us to be on the dark as to who Jesus is.

I remember at Jesus baptism You once again revealed His  identity - Your Son.

Grant that I may always remember the many epiphanies You gave us and continue to give us about Your Son so we will recognize Him and live in accord with the Good News.

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: "voice...beloved Son"; the Father's voice, who heard it beside John? We don’t know but we hear it now. May Jesus, who was manifested to the Gentiles last Sunday and who is once again manifested at His Baptism and continues to be manifested to us every time we see or receive the consecrated Host or see Him in the covenanted love of a couple. In prayer seek the grace to always  give our allegiance to Jesus and accept His call to repent and live in accord with the Good News. If we do, one day we will be richly blest when He manifests Himself to us in the heavenly kingdom. May Jesus be praised!

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 1.14-20                            

1.10.14

                

Lectio:  Jn 3.22-34                          
                                                                              
Meditatio: “You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that U was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom, the best man, who stands and listens fro him, rejoices greatly at the birdegroom’s voice.” Jn 3.28,29a
                  
Oratio: O God, how marvelous was John the Baptist in testifying for Jesus and in acknowledging his role so that no one would misunderstand!          

I remember John the Baptist again tesified as to the identity of Jesus and himself when a dispute arose about Jesus also baptizing; and John made it clear that he, John, was only the best man, a role which put him in service to the bridegroom, Jesus, for all understood that is the role of the best man.                   

Grant that I may always remember that I stand in the place of John the Baptist today and my role is to make known the identity of Jesus to those who do not yet know Him - a role that I have by virtue of my 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: “best man...bridegroom;” a best man has the role to prepare and to support the bridegroom with regards to his wedding; and by John identifying himself as the best man the people of his day clearly understood his role of preparing the way for Jesus, the bridegroom; and seek the grace to be a modern best man by preparing the way for Jesus in our lives so that He may be manifested to those whose lives we touch and who do not know Him. May Jesus, who manifestation to the Magi we celebrate today, be praised!

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 3.13-17  

1.09.14

Lectio: Lk 5.12-16                                                                                                        
                                                                              
Meditatio: “Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and the leprosy left him immediately.” Lk 5.13

Oratio: O God, what wonder and power You have and Your Son showed!

I remember Your Son responded to the faith of a man filled with leprosy, and did what was forbidden by the community, He touched him and at His words, the man’s leprosy was cured.

Grant that I may always be grateful to such a kind and compassionate God who only asks of us faith and Who will respond to us - sometimes spectactularly, sometimes ordinarily, but always with love for 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: “touched...leprosy left him”; what power Jesus’ touch had! How loving of Jesus to touch one of the untouchables of society; in prayer seek the grace of a grateful heart and routinely give God our thanks and praise for His loving care for us and seek the grace to show compassion towards those whose lives we touch and are in need.                                                                           
Tomorrow's reading: Jn 3.22-30         

1.08.14

Lectio: Lk 4.14-22a                                                                                            
                                                                              
Meditatio: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.” Lk 4.14

Oratio: O God, You graciously sent Your Son for all.

I remember Your Son began His public ministry in Galilee and not in Jerusalem, a sign that the Good News is not to be limited to a special group.         

Grant that I may always be grateful to such a loving God who shows no partiality and who loves all regardless of their origin.

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: “Galilee...Spirit”; Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee and it was Spirit empowered; in prayer seek the grace to recognize the working of the Spirit in those who surround me and seek the grace to spread the Good News to those whose lives I touch and who do not know Jesus and allow the Spirit to enlighten and guide me in my efforts..

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 5.12-16 

1.07.14

Lectio: Mk 6.45-52                                                                                 
                                                                              
Meditatio: “But when they saw him [Jesus] walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out.” Mk 6. 49

Oratio: O God, Your Son gave such spectacular evidence of His divinity, yet many had hardened their hearts and would not believe that He was the Messiah.

I remember  yesterday, He multiplied he loaves and fishes; today, He walked on water, yet many would not accept Him and believe in Him.

Grant that I may always have an open heart, a heart full of faith and love, so that events of God may not be missed by me; instead they may assist me in my journey to the kingdom and strengthen my faith and hope.

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: “walking..sea....ghost”; what more could Jesus do to convince His disciples that He was whom He claimed to be; and He would do even more; He rose from the dead so that we would have eternal life, too. How wonderful and gracious is Our Lord. May I always give Him my love and my praise and my honor and readily witness to Him so others will come to know, love and serve Him in this life and be happy with Him in the next..

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 4.14-22a

1.06.14

Lectio: Mk 6.34-44                                                                      
                                                                              
Meditatio: “Then taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to [his] disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all.” Mk 6.41
                  
Oratio: O God, Your Son always emulated You and He showed great compassion as You do.

I remember a crowd consisting of women and children and five thousand men followed Him and He preached to them and  He knew at the end of the day they were hungry. What did He do? He fed them by looking up to heaven and blessing, breaking and distributing what they had - 5 loaves and 2 fish, and all were fed - how marvelous! How compassionate!

Grant that I may always realize Jesus feeds us each day and that means He feeds millions each day with His own Body and Blood in the Eucharist. May I always have the grace to partake worthily at the Eucharistic banquet, and daily if at all possible.                       

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: “taking...blessing...broke...gave...people”; these actions are the very actions that are performed in the Eucharistic sacrifice at Mass every day and the results are the same. The multitudes who seek this food from heaven are fed by it. May I always receive it as often as I can for in doing so I receive the very life of Jesus.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 6.45-52

1.05.14

Lectio: Mt 4.12-17,23-25                                                
                                                                              
Meditatio: “From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’.” Mt 4.17
                  
Oratio: O God, Your Son not only called the people to repent as Your  kingdom is at hand but He also cured their sick of every kind of disease and the people must have thought it was indeed heaven for never before had they seen such nor had benefitted as much.

I remember when Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee He went about all over Galilee and preached and healed - what a boon for the people!

Grant that I may always remember that Jesus is my Lord, my refuge and my strong support and with Him I need not fear the physical evils which befall me for He is always there for me and will heal me now or in eternity, whichever is best 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: “preach...kingdom...at hand;” the Good News was preached so the people would know that it ushered in the Kingdom; in prayer seek the grace to fulfill my Baptismal dignity and speak the Good News to others so that they, too, may be blest as I am blest.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 6.34-44

1.04.14

Lectio: Mt 2.1-12                                      
                                                                              
Meditatio: “They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the  child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Mt 2.10,11
                  
Oratio: O God, You made it clear from the beginning when You sent Your Son, that He was for everyone.

I remember the Magi, wisemen from the East, followed the star that led them to Your Son at the time of His birth and He together with Mary and Joseph were manifested to them.

Grant that I may always remember that Jesus is for everyone and that as Christians we do not have exclusive claim on Him but rejoice that He has made Himself known to all and that He is for 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: “saw star....did him homage;” Magi were from the East and Jesus manifested Himself to them showing clearly that He came for all; and they paid Him homage showing they recognized Him as their King. In prayer seek the grace to manifest Jesus to those whose lives I touch and who do not yet know Him, so that they, too, might be blest, as we are blest.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 4.12-17,23-25

1.03.14

Lectio:  Jn 1.35-42                          
                                                                              
Meditatio: “and as he watched Jesus walk by, he [John the Baptist] said,’Behold the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.” Jn 1.37
                  
Oratio: O God, how gracious of John the Baptist in identifying for his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God and those two disciples immediately followed Jesus as Jesus’ first two apostles.

I remember Andrew and John were disciples of the Baptist who immediately followed Jesus because the Baptist pointed Him out to them.

Grant that I may always remember that I stand in the place of John the Baptist today and my role is to make known the identity of Jesus to those who do not yet know Him - a role that I have by virtue of my baptism, so that they, too, can find the Lamb of God and be saved in His name.

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: “heard...followed;” hearing the word of God is so important if we are to follow it like John and Andrew did and Andrew’s brother did upon hearing Andrew’s declaration that they had found the Messiah and come and see and Peter did; in prayer seek the grace to invited those who lives I touch and who do not yet know Jesus, to come and see, so that they, too, may bask in the love of the Messiah, now and forever. May  holy name of Jesus, whose memorial  we celebrate today, be praised!

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 2.1-12

1.02.14

               

Lectio:  Jn 1.29-34                          
                                                                              
Meditatio: “The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world’.” Jn 1.29
                  
Oratio: O God, You don’t leave us to ourselves to discover the divine for it is often beyond our comprehension but You send us prophets to aid us.

I remember John the Baptist testified to all his followers who Jesus is and pointed Him out to them and declared not only that He is the Lamb of God but also His mission - to take away the sin of the world - what a revelation for those who heard John! What a revelation that is recorded for us by the Evangelist John!

Grant that I may always be grateful for the early witnesses of Jesus as to who He is and what He came for and His expectations of His followers.           

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: “Behold...Lamb of God;” John the Baptist testified to his followers the
Who and the What of Jesus and all who accepted his testimony were greatly blest. In prayer thank God for the first believers who accepted the testimony of John for we are beneficiaries of their belief; and seek the grace to put the Way, the Truth, the Life of Jesus into practice in our lives for that is why He came and it is the ‘how’ we will be with Him forever.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.35-42 

1.01.14

                 

Lectio: Jn 1.19-28                                                                                 

Meditatio: “He [John the Baptist] said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the desert. Make straight the way of the Lord’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Jn 1.23
                  
Oratio: O God, You revealed clearly to the Jews the identity of John the Baptist and his mission by John’s own testimony as to he is and what his mission was all about - but still they refused to admit the obvious when John identified Jesus as the Messiah. How tragic for them and for the people they served!

I remember John recorded for us the questioning of the priests and Levites of John the Baptist as to his identity and John gave a very straightforward answer that he was not the Messiah but was preparing the way for the Messiah. They refused to believe him and his mission and ignored his later identifying of Jesus as the Messiah - how sad when pride gets in the way of truth.           

Grant that I may always have an open mind and accept the things of God that the Church proclaims about God for the Church is Christ’s voice on earth. .

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: “I...voice... crying out...way of the Lord;” John the Baptist proclaimed his role as one of preparing the way for the Messiah and he made it clear that he was not the Messiah. In prayer seek the grace to follow the example of John and do our part to prepare the way for others whose lives we touch and who do not yet know the Lord so that they will not miss out on the most important invitation to become  children of God and heirs of heaven.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.29-34                                          
P.S. May you and yours have a healthy, holy and happy New Year!