9.29.14

Lectio  Lk 9.51-56                                          
                  
Meditatio: "When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,’ Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them.” Lk 9.54-55

Oratio: O God, You do not want us to retaliate when we are offended.

I remember Jesus rebuked His disciples who wanted to call fire from heaven to consume a village because they would not welcome Jesus. In prayer seek to always remember that vengeance is the Lord’s and mercy is what we are called to show others who harm 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: "call...fire....consume them...rebuked”; James’ and John’s response to an unwelcoming village, was to destroy them; Jesus rebuke of them showed that is not His way nor should it be our way. In prayer seek to treat others as we wish to be treated and in the offensive treatment by others, we certainly will have forbearance and Jesus will be pleased.                          

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 9.57-62   

9.28.14

Lectio   Jn 1.47-51                              
                  
Meditatio: "Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him and said of him, ‘Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him’.” Jn 1.47


Oratio: O God, how You want us to be people of integrity.             .

I remember Jesus praised Nathaniel for being a man in whom no duplicity is found. In prayer seek the grace to be a true child of God and reflect integrity in all in that I do for that is what is meant to be a child of God.

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: "Nathaniel....true....no duplicity”; duplicity means: trick, deception, dishonesty. The opposite is ‘integrity.’  Integrity is is what Jesus admired in Nathaniel and what He wants all His siblings to have for that is what is meant to be a true child of God, a true brother or sister of His.. In prayer seek the grace to one in whom no duplicity is found.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 9.51-56

9.27.14

Lectio  Mt 21.28-32
                  
Meditatio: "When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe in him.” Mt 21.32

Oratio: O God, those who should listen do not always do so.           .

I remember Jesus decried the chief priests and elders for their self righteousness for they thought they had all the truth and were holy and they had no need of a new prophet and so not need of a Messiah. How terrible for them If they had only listened to John, not only they but the whole worshiping community would have accepted Jesus’ coming. What a very different outcome would have been theirs and the great majority of the people’s.  In prayer seek to be open to the prophets in my life for they speak to me of God the things I should know about Him and how I should 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: "John....not believe...but...did”; the chief priests and elders in their righteousness where not open to call to reform their lives while the public sinners were.  As a result they lost out on a new prophet who was calling them to reform and they also missed out on the Messiah for John was preparing the way for Him.. Self righteousness often fills us with pride, and we become stubborn and even arrogant. Pray for the grace of humility so that we will be open to the prophets in our life and readily accept the revelations of Jesus.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn1.37-61         

9.25 & 9.26.14

9.25.14

Lectio: Lk 9.18-22

Meditatio: "Then He said to them, ' But who do you say that I am'." Lk 9.20a

Oratio: O God, You sent Your Son for our salvation and it is up to us to respond.

I remember Jesus asked His disciples to tell Him who they thought Be was.  Like Peter we must proclaim that he is the Messiah and the put into practice all that He asks of us. In prayer seek the grace to live in accord with the Great Law of Love basic  for it summarizes all that Jesus asks 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: who....say...I am?"; the question we must all answer for ourselves and them with the help of God's grace live out the implication of our answer and Goe will be pleased and gift us with a share in the eternal kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: : Lk 9.43b-45

9.26.14

Lectio: Lk 9.143b-45

Meditatio: "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed  over to men." Lk 9.44

Oratio: O God, You know we are so dense at times but You still love us.

I remember Jesus told His disciples for a second time that He would be arrested but history would show that two times was not enough. Pray for the grace not to put our head in the sand but to be open to Your Spirit and heed Him.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "attention...Son...handed over"; Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for His arrest but they heard but did not believe. Seek the grace of an understanding heart so that I may be alert to the prompting of the Spirit in all things.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 21.28-3

9.24.14

Lectio: Lk 9.7-9                            

Meditatio: "But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded. Who then is this about I hear such things.?’ And he kept trying to see him.” Lk 9.9                                                       

Oratio: O God, You want us to seek You and You give us ample occasions to draw us to you.

I remember Jesus had performed many miracles and was peaching with authority and King Herod heard of all these  things about Jesus and Herod  was attracted by them but sadly he did nothing to approach Jesus. In prayer seek the grace to respond to the Lord and seek the grace to put His words into practice.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "who...is.this”; we know the answer and Herod rejected the opportunity to know Jesus and believe in Him. In prayer seek the grace to be ever open to the many ways the God manifests Himself and I will be richly blest by responding to Him

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 9.18=22    

9.23.14

Lectio: Lk 9.1-6                            

Meditatio: "He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor food, nor money,, and let no one take a second tunic’.” Lk 9.3                                     

Oratio: O God, You wanted all, who work to bring about Your kingdom on earth, to be completely detached from the things of earth.

I remember Jesus told the 12 ro go and preach and heal but take nothing extra with them - no change of clothes, nor money - to make it clear that His disciples should be detached from material things. In prayer seek the grace to have the right outlook towards things and avoid inordinate attachment to them so that they do not become a hindrance in my carrying out my baptismal call to spread the good news and to  live by it.

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: "take nothing”; what a command Jesus gave to the 12!  It is clear He is telling them to avoid attachment to material things and rely on the power of the mission to also take care of any material needs that they may have in carrying it out - and they did;  and they preached and healed and they achieved their mission. In prayer seek to keep material things in right balance so that they do not become the focus of my calling nor a distraction to carrying it out;  and with God’s grace I will be effective in Jesus’ name.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 9.7-9      

9.22.14

Lectio: Lk 8.19-21                          

Meditatio: "He said to them in reply, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it’.” Lk 8.21                                                             

Oratio: O God, You wanted all to know that it is not our biological connection with You that is important but our spiritual one.

I remember Jesus told His followers that those who hear and act on His work are His close relatives..    In prayer seek the grace to actively listen to the Word of God and put His words into practice and we will be greatly blest for He will adopt us as His brothers and sisters.

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: "my....brother....hear....word...act:;” Our relationship with Jesus is greatly enhanced if we listen to His words and put them into practice. In prayer may we always be a good hearer and good actor so that we may enjoy in this life a very intimate relatrionship with Jesus.


Tomorrow's reading: Lk 8.19-21

9.21.14

Lectio:  Lk 8.16-18               

Meditatio: "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the Light.” Lk 8.16           

Oratio: O God, You want all to know You and come to You so that You may gift them with eternal life.

I remember Jesus told His followers a parable of the lamp to reinforce the duty of all who hear the word of God, to manifest it to others -like a light. He wanted all to hear and live by the Good News. In prayer seek the grace to let the light of faith shine forth so that those who do not yet know the Good News will come to know it by my living a life of selfless 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: "lamp...conceals....placess....lampstand”; our faith is not just for ourselves but it is for all and we must not hide our faith but openly practice so they will know we are Christians by our love. Seek the grace to avoid being a closet Christian, but rather a practicing Christian, so that others who do not yet know the Good News will come in contact with it through us for that is Christ’s desire.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 8.19-21

9.20.14

Lectio: Mt 20.1-16a

Meditatio: "When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.” Mt 20.8

Oratio: O God, Your love is extravagant and most generous.

I remember Jesus told a parable about workers in the vineyard and the landowner - You - paid the same wage to all who worked for Him that day the same amount. Although those who worked 12 hours grumbled for they thought they should get paid more, no injustice was done because they were paid the amount they agreed upon. The landowner knew that all day workers needed a daily wage ss it what was needed for a family to live on for a day with a little left over. In paying the ones who only worked one hour a daily wage, Jesus was showing the depth and breathe of Your love and that love consists of reaching out to the other for the good of the other and not for what one gets out ot it, In prayer seek the grace to truly love my neighbor and myself and in the manner You want..

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "give....pay...last...first”; those who worked 12 hours got paid the same as those who worked one hour and naturally the 12 hour workers grumbled even  though they had been paid the agreed upon sum. In this we see no injustice but great generosity on the part of the landowner.Rather the landowner was showing great love  to the latecomers for He knew the latecomers needed a day’s wage so that their families would have what they needed to live on the next day. Seek the grace to rejoice in the good fortunes of others and not to envy them for that is a way to truly love..

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 8.16-18

9.19.14

Lectio: Lk 8.4-15                 

Meditatio: "This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God.” Lk8.11

Oratio: O God, You desire that all come to know You and be with You forever - but You gave all free will.

I remember Jesus told the parable about the sower of the seeds and the various grounds it landed on and the different results. The seed stands for the word of God and the different soils reflect the different responses to it. Sad to say, our use of our free will did not always result in the growth that God wanted - or should I say in many cases did not take hold in our hearts because of our disposition towards God. In prayer may we cultivate our souls so that they may be receptive to the Word of God and we will produce the fruit that God wants of our lives and He will one day rejoice with us in heaven.

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: "seed....word....God"; in Jesus’ teaching story about the sower of seeds, He tells His disciples that the seed stands for God’s word and the various soils stand for the varying responses to it and sadly many are not disposed to God’s word. In prayer seek the grace to be everyone to His words for they are meant for the our salvation.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 20.1-16a

9,17,14 & 9.18.14

9.17.18

Lectio: Lk 7.36-50

Meditatio: "He said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' The other at table said,'Who is this who even forgives sind'?" Lk 7.48-49

Oratio: O God, How gracious You are to willingly forgive our sins!

I remember Your Son openly forgave sins while He was with us and He did it in the presence of His greatest detractors - the Pharisees. In prayer seek the gace to readily forgive others so that I may receive forgiveness from Yoy, my God.

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: "sins...forgiven"; Jesus had the power to forgive and He used it for the consolation of the sinner and for benefit as we all need to have our sins forgiven. In prayer seek to have a forgiving heart for that is God's way and it must be our way as His children.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 8.1-8

9.17.18

Lectio: Lk 8.1-8

Meditatio: "Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and many others who provided for them out of their resources." Lk 8.3

Oratio: O God, in Your wisdom You gave women important role in the spreading of the Good News for several Galilean women supported Jesus and the 12 out of their resources.

I remember Your Son openly associated with and He was most grateful for their support including Mary of Magdala, Susanna and Joanna. In prayer may I be always grateful to the good women in ministry for they are the strong support of the Good News today.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "many...provided...their resources"; many women supported Jesus' itinerant
Preaching out of their means. In prayer seek the grace to have a generous spirit in my support of the spreading of the Gospel as the women of Galilee did and Jesus will be most grateful for our support.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 8.4-15

9.16.14

    
Lectio  : Lk 7.31-35 
                                                             
Meditatio: “Then what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?” Lk 7.35

Oratio: O God, how fickle we are at times.                                 

 I remember Jesus pointed this out when he decried how inconsistent the people were. They rejected John the Baptist because of his austere life style and they rejected Him because He lived a normal  lifestyle. He then compared them to children who were being difficult when other children wanted to play y a different game.   Pray for the grace to be open to the prophets in our lives regardless of their life styles for appearances is not the key but substance is.

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

Operatio: reflect: "compare....like” ; the people of Jesus’ generation rejected John the Baptist because of his mannerisms and like wise Jesus. How sad for them for they missed o ut on the greatest gift - eternal life. In prayer thank God for giving me life at this time when the real identity of John the Baptist and Jesus are known and be ever grateful for their coming.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 7.36-50 

9/15/14

    
Lectio  Lk 7.11-17                                                    

Meditatio: “He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you, arise’!” Lk 7. 14           

Oratio: O God, what power You gave to Your Son - the power over death.

 I remember Jesus at His command, brought back to life the only son of a widow of Naim. The crowd was amazed and declared Him a great prophet and so He is; but sadly this event known to many had no impact on the religious leaders. In prayer seek the grace to be open to the sacred in life and to be ever grateful for the many ways God continues to intervene and watch over us with love.

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

Operatio: reflect: "coffin....Young man....arise”; at the word of Jesus the dead man was brought back to life for the immediate need of his mother and for the long term need of the crowd; the former was realized but the latter did not have the effect on those who should have immediately recognized that a man of God was in their midst. Seek the grace to recognize God at work in the world and always give Him thanks and praise.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 7.31-35 

9.14.14

    
Lectio Jn 19.25-27                                         

Meditatio: “Standing by the cross of Jesus ware his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala..” Lk Jn 19.25

Oratio: O God, Your Son was supported to end by His mother and two other holy women. I remember Mary had the support of two other Marys when she stood at the foot of His cross and the three together must have been of great solace to Jesus for all others had abandoned Him except John. In prayer seek the grace to be there for others in their time of need for one’s presence is the best gift one can give in most trying situations.

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

Operatio: reflect: "Standing....cross. ..mother, Mary of Clopas, Mary of Magda”; the presence of all three Marys at the crucifixion is a wonderful example as to how one can support the dying. Seek the grace to be ever present to others in time of their great need and they will be most grateful for your being there.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 7.11-17

9.13.14

   
Lectio: Lk 6.43-49                              

Meditatio: “I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against the house but could not shake it because is was well built.” Lk 6,47,48

Oratio: O God, Your Son made it clear as to how we should live and thus successfully come back to You.

I remember Jesus urged that people listen to His words and then put them into practice and live by them. If they do, they will successfully survive the adversities of this life and come to the joys of eternal life. In prayer seek the grace to allow Jesus’ words to penetrate my heart and to become part of the core of my being so that I my listening to Him will be effective in my life.

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

Operatio: reflect: "listen...words,...act.”; Jesus not only wants us to listen to His words but He also wants us to act on them. Seek the grace to do so and we will be providing a solid foundation for our faith that will enable us to survive the perils o f this life and come to eternal life.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 19.25-27

9.12.14

   
Lectio:   Jn 3.13-17                  

Meditatio: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Jn 3.14-15

Oratio: O God, How gracious and kind You are to us! I remember You sent Your Son to us so that through His death we might have eternal life - Wow!  In prayer seek the grace to be a true believer in Your Son and show it by the life we live.

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

Operatio: reflect: "Son of Man... lifted up...believe...eternal life”; the cross, an instrument of torture and death became through Jesus and instrument of life, forgiveness and healing. What a sacrifice on the part of Jesus and what a gift He gave us. In prayer thank Him always for coming for us and for the gift of faith so that we might one day come to Him.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 6.43-49

9.10 & 9.11.14

 Lectio: Lk 6.27-38

Meditatio: “Do to others as you would have them do to you." Lk 6.31

Oratio: O God, in Your wisdom You gave us simple but a very effective guide by which we will know if we are treating others properly.I remember Jesus told us to love evenl our enemies and we will know how to live in the particular - do what you would have them do to you. In prayer seek to always act in accordance with the Golden a Rule -Love at its finest.

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

Operatio: reflect: "Do...others...do ... you"; an easy guide for right living with others but at times hard to put into practices -the Golden Rule- Seek the grace to always abide by it and your actions will be most pleasing to God and greatly benefit those to whom you are relating.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 6.39-42


 9 .11.14
   
Lectio: Lk 6.43-49

Meditatio: “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?" Lk 6.43

Oratio: O God, You have provided us with a wonderful and effective security in our journey to you.
I remember Jesus told us to to do what He told us and we can withstand any storm in this life.

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

Operatio: reflect: "call..Lord....not do...command"; our failure to do what Jesus tells us is as foolish as building a house without a foundation for it cannot withstand any major storm. In prayer seek the grace to ponder Jesus' words and put them into practice for our good and out of gratitude to Jesus for all He Has and continues to do.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 3.13-17

9.09.14

Lectio:  Lk 6.20-26                    

Meditatio: “And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor for the kingdom of God is yours.” Lk 6.20

Oratio: O God, You are so mindful and caring about those who are struggling in this life.
                                                                                          
I remember You Son proclaimed ‘Blessed’ those who were deprived of the blessings of this life in His beautiful and thought provoking Sermon on the Plain which He began with the Beatitudes. In prayer seek   to live in accord with the Beatitudes by having the right attitude toward wealth and struggles in life and you will be blest.

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

Operatio: reflect: "Blessed...poor...kingdom”; who would have thought that the poor are ‘Blessed’? No one. But Jesus declared they are not because those who are in poor straits; but because the poor  more readily turn to God in their plight’ and those who do, find lasting riches.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 6.27-38

9.08.14

Lectio:  Lk 6.12-19

Meditatio: “I those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.” Lk 6.12               

Oratio: O God, You are always there for us.
                                                                                          
I remember You Son showed us the way to You as He frequently spent the  night in prayer to You before undertaking important tasks such as selecting His apostles and ministering to the large crowds. In prayer seek the grace to imitate Jesus’ prayer life, it not in length, at least in frequency, for without God we can do nothing and with Him we can do everything which we ought.

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

Operatio: reflect: "pray....spent...night”; the importance of prayer is illustrated by the actions of Jesus. If He needed to pray, how much more do we.  Seek the grace to pray often, upon rising in the morning, before meals and after meals, before important undertakings and before going to bed and we will be doing the minimum with Our God who gives us 24-7.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 6.20-26

9.07.14

Lectio:  Mt 1.1-23                      

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, Your ways are not our ways. We see this in the genealogy of Jesus where only three women are mentioned by name but the last mentioned will play the most important role in salvation history and not the many men who are mentioned..

I remember that Matthew identified Mary as the mother of Jesus and her husband, Joseph, who lineage was from King David. Uunder the custom of the day, the child took his lineage from the male side - so rightly , Jesus, is the Son of David as foretold by the prophets and the child of Mary, whose birth we celebrate today   In prayer seek the grace to always be aware that our God is a God of mystery but also a God of love and seek to love Him with our whole heart, mind and strength.   

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

Operatio: reflect: "Joseph...Mary....Jesus”; this human trinity leads us wonderfully to the Divine Trinity. Seek the grace to always keep Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family,  in our minds and on our lips and one day we will be with them and celebrate the birthday of Mary in the glory of heaven.                                   .

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 6.12-19

9.05 & 9.0614

9.05.24

 Lectio: Lk 6.1-5

 Meditatio: “While he was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. " Lk 6.1

Oratio: O God, keeping holy the sabbath is intended to benefit man.

I remember Jesus responded to the religious leaders criticism that picking grain heads, rubbing them in their hands so they could eat violated the sabbath for they considered it work by saying in effect nonsense - responded to a basic human need is never prohibited.

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

Operatio: reflect: "picking ...grain...rubbing...eating"; The Lord declared such effort does not violate the Sabbath and He did not debate this with the religious leaders who held a contrary view but simply asserted that He was Lord of the Sabbath - common sense should have lead the religious leaders to the same conclusion that it is work in a technical sense, it is not prohibited work because it addresses a basic human need.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 18.15-20

 9.06.13

Lectio: Mt 18.15-20

Meditatio: “For where two or more are gathered together in my name , there am I in the midst of them." Mt 18.20

Oratio: O God, You did not leave ya alone on our journey back to You.

I remember Jesus told His followers that where two or mire are gathered in His name He would be there. In short if we are longing for You and share that with others and do in Jesus' name, He will come and be us- what a grace! In prayer seek the grace to remember to share our needs with others and bring Your Son's nene in the sharing and we will be comforted.

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

Operatio: reflect: "two...gathered...my name..I...midst"; if we want Jesus to be with us, we need to share with others our needs and bring Jesus' name into the sharing and He will be there for us. In prayer seek the grace to remember to always bring Jesus into our sharing and we will be greatly blest.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 1.1-23

9.04.14

Lectio:  Lk 5.33-39             

Meditatio: “But the days will; come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” Lk 5.35

Oratio: O God, fasting is one of the praised ascetical practices but it is not an absolute and it is done for a purpose.

I remember Jesus told His critics that the reason His disciples do not fast, is that He, the bridegroom is present, and it would not be appropriate. But when He is no longer with them, they would fast so in this we see that one of the purposes of fasting is to hasten the coming of the Messiah and since Jesus was the Messiah, there was on need to fast.                                           

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

Operatio: reflect: "bridegroom...taken away...will fast”; fasting is a practice performed to atone or to hasten the coming of God’s kingdom; since with Jesus, God’s kingdom had arrived, His disciples were excused from fasting; but when He leaves, fasting will resume for the purpose of atonement and for the purpose of the kingdom remaining strong. In prayer ask for the grace to make fasting one of your on-going spiritual practices for it is a practice which is much in need today for the health of the kingdom on earth and for your own spiritual health.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 6.1-5

9.03.14

Lectio: Lk 5.1-11

Meditatio: “When they brought their boat to shore, they left everything and followed him." Lk 1.11

Oratio: O Gid, sometimes You have to do something spectacular to get our attention.

I remember Jesus told the fishermen where  to fish and they caught an,amazing catch. This in turn led to Peter, James and John, the fishermen, leaving everything and following Jesus as His disciples and they became fishers of men!

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

Operatio: reflect: "left everything ... Followed him"; true discipleship is in leaving our present preoccupation and everything and putting our future at the disposal of Jesus. In prayer seek the grace to fully commit to Jesus  as Peter, James and John and did fear not for Jesus will be with you all your days.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 5.33-39

9/02/14

 

Lectio: Lk 4. 38-44                                                                                          

Meditatio: "At day break, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.” Lk 4.42a
                                                                      
Oratio: O God, You know the importance of being alone with You so that we can give You our undivided attention.                          

I remember Jesus after working many miracles at Capernaum, went off by Himself to a deserted place and we know He would do so periodically so as to be alone with You. In prayer seek the grace of a proper prayerful attitude knowing that whenever possible, a quiet place is most desirable.

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

Operatio:  reflect: “Jesus...went....deserted place”; Jesus showed us the importance of a quiet place to commune with God. May we be given the grace to seek such places whenever it is reasonably possible so that we can give God our undivided attention to a God who is always mindful of us.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 5.1-11        

9.01.14

Lectio: Lk 4. 31-37                                                                              

Meditatio: "They were all amazed and said to one another ‘What is there about his word?  For with authority he commands the unclean spirits and they come out’.” Lk 4.36                                                                             
Oratio: O God, what authority You gave to Your Son!                                                                               

I remember Jesus commanded demons to come out and they obeyed His command; and Jesus was able to cure many who were possessed for their good and to show the people even the spirit world is subject to Jesus and therefore they ought to accept His words.  In prayer seek the grace of docility and readily accept the word of Jesus whether in the Scriptures or spoken by the Pope, His Vicar here on earth.

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

Operatio:  reflect: “authority...,commanded. .unclean spirits”; Jesus was given all the  power on earth that He had in heaven. He demonstrated it by freeing people who were possessed by the devil. In prayer thank our Heavenly Father for giving Jesus all power and authority on earth so that people would more readily accept His saving message and reform their lives for their salvation. In prayer put into practice the words of Jesus for they are given to us for the our good and the good of others; and if we do, we will be blest.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 4. 38-44         

P.S. Happy Labor Day!