10.29.14

Lectio:Lk 13.31-35                          
                  
Meditatio: "At that time some Pharisees came to him and said, ‘Go  away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you’.” Lk 13.31

Oratio: O God, how misguided and foolish we are!

I remember Herod wanted to kill Jesus - how foolish! And it was, surprisingly, some Pharisees who warned Jesus showing even our enemies can become our friends. In prayer judge not, so that you will not be judged for the Lord is kind and merciful and He wants us to be the same

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 meditated  on the selected passage and hear what    
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "Go...leave...Herod...kill you”; the Pharisees who for the most part were antagonistic towards Jesus in the end warn Him to leave the area because Herod desired to kill Him/ Seek the grave to help those in need even if they are not of ths same persuasion. In short be Christ-like
.for that is the best way to honor the Lord,

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 14.1-6      

10.28.14

Lectio::  Lk 13.22-30            
                  
Meditatio: "Strive to enter through ht narrow gate, for many I tell you,will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Lk 13.24

Oratio: O God, You give us the kingdom as a gift but You do require that we accept it in this life.                                     
I remember Jesus answered the question ‘Will many be saved?’ by urging them to enter through the ‘narrow gate’- that is don’t presume you are saved merely because you know Him. But accept Him and His teachings by putting them into practice; otherwise you will find the gift of the kingdom is not offered to you. In prayer seek to live the Gospel by living in accord with the Great Law of Love. Although it restricts you like a narrow gate does, it expands your spirit with grace so you will have the strength to open the gate and  accept the gift of the 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 meditated  on the selected passage and hear what    
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "enter....narrow gate”; the narrow gate symbolizes acceptance of Jesus and His teachings. The strength to enter the narrow gate is obtained through grace that flows to you by your  living according to Gospel values.. In prayer seek the strength to proclaim the Gospel by the life you live. If you do,  and you will be gifted with the strength to enter through the narrow gate which leads to the kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 13.31-35

10.27.14

Lectio: : Lk 6.12-16
                  
Meditatio: "In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God.”Lk 6.12

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to talk with You and Your Son gave us the example.                                                     
I remember in the Gospel of Luke He is often depicted at prayer and not for a few minutes but for the whole night. Seek the grace to pray always and do it by saying every day the Morning Offering.

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 meditated  on the selected passage and hear what    
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "departed....pray”; Jesus is portrayed as praying before major events such as selecting the apostles. If Jesus had the felt need to pray, how much more do we need to pray. Seek to lift up your hearts and minds to God periodically throughout the day but especially upon arising and going to bed for God so much wants us to be in contact with Him.                              .

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 13.22-30

10.26.14

Lectio:Lk 13.10-17                           

Meditatio: "But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, ‘There are six days when work can be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the Sabbath’.” Lk 13.14 

Oratio: O God, You so much want compassion and not legalism to guide our actions.                                                          
I remember Jesus roundly criticized the religious leader of a synagogue for telling the people they should not seek to be cured on the Sabbath for he considered it work - but Jesus considered it love; and He wanted all to ignore legalism and to do what love requires. In prayer seek the grace to have a compassionate heart at all times.

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 meditated  on the selected passage and hear what    
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "leader...indignant....cured...Sabbath”; how sad that the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law was the guiding principle for the religious leaders of Jesus’ days. And Jesus made his displeasure with the leader very clear, calling him a hypocrite. Seek the grace to be always guided in one’s acts by compassion for that is God’s ways and that is the way He wants us to be as His children.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 6.12-16

10.25.14

Lectio: Mt 22.34-40               

Meditatio: "The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments,” Mt 22.40           

Oratio: O God, You have made it easy for us to know what we should do in life and You give us the grace to do it.                           

I remember all that the prophets revealed and all that the divine laws command are  summed up in one word  - LOVE-  for Jesus, Himself,  revealed this to us. In prayer love always and then did do whatever love commands or suggests and God will be pleased.                    .

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 meditated  on the selected passage and hear what    
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "whole law...two commandments:”; Love God and love neighbor as we  love self - are all we have to keep in mind as we strive to live a good life. In prayer seek the grace to be a person of love in all situations for that is what Our loving Savior wants of us and that is what we ought to do for our own everlasting good.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 13.10-17

10.22.14

Lectio: Lk 12.49-53                                        
                                                                                         
Meditatio: "From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two, two against three.” Lk 23.52                                                                               

Oratio: O God, You know that truth is often not recognized by all.                 
                          
I remember Jesus told His followers that His mission, His proclamations, would cause division even in households for not all will accept the Gospel. In prayer seek the grace to be open to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to direct me and do what I should regardless as whether those around me accept His direction.

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:"be divided....two against three”; Jesus knew that not all would accept the Good News and His proclamations would cause division even at the family level. Seek the grace to be always open to the tenets of the Good News as proclaimed by the Church even if those around me find it unacceptable for the Church speaks for You.

 Lk 12.54-59

110.21.14

Lectio: Lk 12.39-48                            
                                                                                         
 Meditatio: "You must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Lk 12.40                                                                               

Oratio: O God, You so much want  all to successfully journey back to You.          
                          
I remember Jesus told us we must always be prepared for we do not know the hour when He will come. Being prepared means living the way we ought as Your children. It means Gospel values are now part of very being and the basis for our actions. In prayer seek to love as we ought so the Lord will find us ready any and every day for our sentry into the heavenly 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:"be prepared”; ALL that is required by the prophets and the law is summarized in the Great Law of Love. So love and do and you will be prepared. Seek the grace to do so for the end is the most important part of life for it is a wonderful beginning!.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.49-53

10.20.14

Lectio: Lk 12.35-38                
                                                                                         
 Meditatio: "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table and wait on them.” lk 12. 37

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to be mindful of the important things in life.
                          
I remember Your Son told a parable about vigilance and for those who are, He will not only be pleased, but He in turn will serve them at table; and where else, if we allow our imagination in play, but at the heavenly banquet. In prayer seek the grace to be not only alert but especially to the ways of the Gospel and live in accord with them so as to please Jesus as His siblings and to show our gratitude for all He has done and will do 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:"servants... vigilant”; we have no control of when the Lord will come but we do have control of how to act as we await His coming. Seek the grace to live each day in accordance with the Great Law of Love and the Lord will be greatly pleased to find that in fact we are vigilant about all that really counts..

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.39-48

10.19.14

Lectio: :Lk 12.13-21
                                                                                         
 Meditatio: "But God said to him. ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong’?” Lk 12.20                   

Oratio: O God, how short sighted we are at times.
                          
I remember a man had a bountiful harvest and he thought this made him self-sufficient. So he built a large barn to store it all and began to eat, drink and be merry. But he would die that night and all his possessions were for naught;  and one wonders whether he was prepared to meet His Maker. In prayer seek the grace to see goods are not an end in themselves but a means to help you through the present and to never lose sight of our destiny - heaven - and work towards it each day as though it were our last. And we will not be disappointed in the end.

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:"fool...life...demanded”; we have no control of when the Lord will call us home so we should never presume when. We should live each day in a manner that prepares our self to meet the Lord for he so much wants us to come to Him and not to get caught up in the things of this world. Seek the grace to keep the Lord always in view and do all things for His greater honor and glory as e children of God;  and the end of our days will not catch us off guard and will mark the beginning of the new day with the Lord.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.35-38

10.18.14

Lectio: : Mt 22.15-21                                                                              

Meditatio: "Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Mt 22.17                                                                   

Oratio: O God, how terrible it is for You that those who should be serving You serve only themselves.
                          
I remember the Pharisees and the Herodians tried to trap Your Son with what they thought was a question about taxes that no matter how He answered it would go badly for Him either with Caesar or with the people.  Wonderfully, Your Son turned the table on them by replying that we should give to Caesar what is Caesar and to God what belongs to God. In prayer seek to live as a good citizen by paying taxes and voting and active in the community as a good citizen for that is the wish of your Heavenly Father and He will be pleased with you.

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

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

Operatio: reflect:"lawful...pay...tax?”; Jesus’;  opponents thought that if Jesus said it was not lawful that would enhance His position with the people but it would get Him in trouble with the Romans and if He said it was lawful, it would cut into His popularity with the people.  But Jesus reply avoided both horns of the delemna and increased His popularity with the people for they were amazed by His answer. In prayer seek the grace to be a good citizen here on earth and for the grace to live as though you were already a  good citizen in the Heavenly kingdom by giving to Caesar what is Caesar and out of love give  to God what belongs to God.
             
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.13-21

10.15 & 10.16 & 10.17.14

10.15.14

Lectio: Lk 11.47-54

Meditatio: "Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You, yourselves did not enter sand you stopped those trying to enter."  Lk 11.52

Oratio: O God, how poorly we serve you at times when you gave us the talent to serve You well.

I remember Jesus condemned the scholars of the law for not using their knowledge to help others and sadly not even to help themselves to enter the kingdom. How tragic that they got caught up into their own self importance and forgot why they were given the knowledge. In prayer thank God for the talents He gave me and may I always use them for the greater glory of You by using them for theses whom I am called to serve.

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: "scholars...taken away....knowledge"; the Scribes had the knowledge of the kingdom but refused the keys to the kingdom to those who were seeking it - what a dereliction of duty! Seek the grace to be a good steward of my gifts and using them for good for that is why they are given to us by God.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 12.1-7


10.16.14

Lectio: Lk 12.1-7

Meditatio: "Even the hairs of your head have been counted. Do not be afraid." Lk 12.7a,b

Oratio: O God, How You love us!

I remember Your Son declared tonHis followers that they should not be afraid when persecution comes for His Father knows us intimately - "hairs...counted"; in prayer turn with confidence to The Lord in your need and fear fir age watches over us with a great loving care and He is all powerful and He will not let the evil one have any final control over us for we sr His children.

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: "hairs....counted"; this hyperbolic expression was used by Jesus to emphasize how much God loves us. Seek the grace to always put our total trust in Him and we will not be disappointed.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 10.1-9


10.17.14

Lectio:  Lk 10.1-9                                                                    

Meditatio: "After this the Lord appointed seventy [two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.” Lk 10.1                          

Oratio: O God, You did not leave the spreading of the Good News to chance.
                          
I remember Jesus prepared witnesses to Him and His mission by sending 72 disciples to go the towns he intended to visit. Thus He had witnesses to His mission even in His life time. He also showed us the best way to evangelize - do it with a companion. In prayer ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you and strengthen you as to how best to witness to the Good News; and do it with others for the greater glory of God and for the good of the people you visit.

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:"appointed.....sent ahead....intended...visit”; witnessing to the Good News is so important if others are to come to know and believe in the mission of Jesus. Seek the grace to be a witness and do it primarily by living the Good News. Do it with others so that those to whom the Lord sends you will be edified and more readily accept the message of salvation and live that message.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 22.15-21

10.14.14

Lectio:  Lk 11.42-46                                                                  

Meditatio: "And he said, ‘Woe to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, bu t you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them’.”  Lk 11.46

Oratio: O God, You want compassion to be shown by Your children just as You are compassionate to all.
                          
I remember Your Son condemned the Scribes, the scholars of the Law, for the burdens that they placed on people declaring that they were required by the Law of God. But they would not help them to carry the burdens even a little bit. In prayer thank God for being so merciful and strive to be merciful in all our relationships for that is what our Heavenly Father expects of His children and it is the best way to emulate 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:"Woe...scholars....burdens...not lift...finger”; any good lawyer not only defines the law as it exists but also advises his clients how they can comply with it. Canon lawyers, that is church lawyers, have the same duty; and that is why Jesus so roundly condemned them for their failure to help the people they served.  Seek the grace to feel deeply for others in their adverse situations and do what you can to help for that is what is meant by being merciful. Tthat is what is mo st pleasing to our God.                      

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.47-54

10.13.14

Lectio: Lk 11.37-41                                                      

Meditatio: "The Pharisees were amazed that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.” Lk 11.38                         

Oratio: O God, You are interested in what is at the heart and not what is at the surface of our actions.                       
I remember Jesus denounced the Pharisees who criticized Him for not doing the prescribed washing for they were only interested in the external show of rituals and they were far from where they ought to be internally. So He condemned them as hypocrites. In prayer seek the grace of integrity and do so for the purpose of sincerely praising God and not for the purpose of seeking praise from others. May I make the ascetical practices a part of my ongoing spirituality for they are the best practices to help me be the person  God wants me to be.

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:"Pharisees...amazed... not observe....washings”; the critics were only  concerned with externals signs of ritual compliance and did not care about the state of one’s heart. For this, Jesus condemned them. Seek the grace to be the same inside and out and as a true child of God should be/ And our Heavenly Father will be greatly pleased and we will be blest.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.42-46

10.12.14

Lectio: Lk 11.29-32                                          

Meditatio: "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” Lk 11.29b

Oratio: O God, the people, but really the religious leaders, demanded a sign that Jesus was the One whom they were awaiting.

I remember Your Son declared that they the only sign He would give is the sign of Jonah. The people already acknowledged His preaching  was most effective because He taught with authority and not like the Scribes. Jonah’s preaching converted the sinful city of Nineveh; The religious leaders acknowledged that Jonah was a prophet; they should have easily seen in Jesus’ powerful and authoritative preaching, that He had given them the sign of Jonah, but to their peril, they would not accept the obvious. In prayer thank God for our ancestors in faith who believed in Jesus’ words and who passed that belief onto us so that we do not need  signs, but can rejoice in the Triune God’s 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:"seeks a sign....Jonah”; Jonah’s preaching is the sign that was present in Jesus and  those asking for a sign, should have realized Jesus had displayed a preaching greater than Jonah. Seek the grace to accept the preaching of Jesus as found in Scripture and put His words into practice for our good and for the greater honor and glory of our God.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.37-41

10.11.14

Lectio: Mt 22.1-14                               

Meditatio: "Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.” Mt 22.9 
Oratio: O God, You invite all to salvation but alas not all accept Your invitation.

I remember Jesus used an allegory to describe Your invite and the rejection and acceptance by describing a wedding feast which a king gave for his son. Your invitation  first went out to the Chosen people -  not once but twice;  and they rejected it;  and then you extended Your invite to all. Even then not all accepted as the wedding garment, that all but one put on, was the sign of acceptance and it  symbolized the leaving of self-centered ways and putting on other centered ways - selfless love-. In prayer thank God for looking so kindly on us and seek the grace to always keep our wedding garment on so that one day we may have a seat at the heavenly wedding banquet.

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....invite...whomever”; God’s invitation to salvation is extended to all; but it does require acceptance as signified by adhering to the Great Law of Love. Seek the grace to be a selfless lover so that you will be welcomed to the heavenly wedding banquet at the end of this life’s journey.   
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.29-32

10.10.14

10.10.14

Lectio: Lk 11.27-28                  

Meditatio: "He replied, ‘Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it’.” Lk 17.28                          

Oratio: O God, You made it so easy for us to achieve true blessedness.

I remember Jesus declared those who hear and put His words into practice are  blessed making it clear that a relationship based on an active faith is better than a being blest because  pf  as a biological connection with Him. In prayer seek to be an active listener to Jesus’ words so that we, too, will be blest and be with Him and His mother for all eternity.                                             .

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....hear...observe”; hearing the word of God and putting into practice bestows on us a state of blessedness that is as good as a biological connection with Him. Indeed as a result of patting His words into practice we become His siblings through Baptism. In prayer seek the grace to live as his sibling so that one day we will be blest for we will be united with Him and His mother forever.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 22.1-14

10.08 & 10.09.14

Lectio: Lk 11.5-13

Meditatio: "And I tell, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Lk 11.9

Oratio: O God, Your Son taught us how to pray.

I remember Jesus told us to ask, to seek, to knock at Your door when we pray and it will be open to us - in other words, persevere in our prayers of petitions and You as a good Father, will give us what we really need. In prayer be persistent and be patient knowing You will answer us in a Your time and in Your way for You know what is best 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.on

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

Operatio: reflect:"ask...seek...knock"; all of these words are action words and they call us to be persistent in our prayers.  Seek the grace to be persistent in our prayers and to seek what the Father wants for us for this is the best and effective way to pray.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.15-26

10.09.13

Lectio: Lk 11.15-26

Meditatio: "But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Lk15.20

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

I remember Jesus was accused by some that He cast up demons by the power of the Prince of Demons. He pointed  out their inconsistency for that means their kingdom is divided and therefore could not stand. He then pointed out the obvious that it was through Your power and they were greatly blest for it was a sign that Your kingdom had come upon them - a deep held longing of theirs.

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.on

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

Operatio: reflect:"God...drive...demons...God...you"; the only one stronger than the devil is God.
The people looked for a sign but it had already been given. Sadly many did not wake up until they crucified Jesus; but even His death, He showed His love for them, by rising so that they may believe and share in eternal life. In prayer seek a strong faith -one that rejoices in the many signs You have given us of a Your presence and Your love.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 11.27-28

10.07.14

Lectio: Lk 11..1-4 
                  
Meditatio: “He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples’.” Lk11.1

Oratio: O God, prayer - the lifting us our hearts and minds to you - is so important for us.

I remember Jesus taught His disciple to pray the “Our Father” when He was asked to teach them how to pray So in our struggles as to how to pray rightly, the Our Father is the answer. Seek the grace to pray it often - daily- and  many times - for that is the best prayer for honoring our God who has so honored us by adopting us as His children.

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:"teach ...to pray”; in response to one of His disciples Jesus gave them and us the beautiful “Our Father” as the prayer  to say. Say the Our Father in prayer each day for it is THE PRAYER and if contains all that a prayer should express; and knowing Jesus taught it, there is no one better to mentor us.

Tomorrow's reading: :Lk 11..5-13

110.06.14

Lectio: Lk 10.28-42                                                

Meditatio: “As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. Sh had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord as his feet listening to him speak.” Lk 10.38-39

Oratio: O God, hospitality is a paramount virtue for the Jewish people and indeed it should be for all people, yet there is something even higher.

I remember Jesus was shown hospitality by Martha but her sister, Mary, by listening to the words of Jesus , was declared by Jesus as having chosen the better part - how puzzling! But how important - the Word of God, without which there would be no eternal life. In prayer seek the grace to be both a Martha and a Mary but in times of conflict to remember being a Mary is the better choice and then listen to Jesus and do what He commands.

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:"Martha welcomed him....Mary ..sat...listening...to him”; Martha showed Jesus hospitality but Jesus declared listening to His words was more important. But Jesus would have been upset in no one showed Him hospitality, including if no one cooked a meal for Him. In prayer seek a balance life of work and prayer with the object of whatever one does, it is always and primarily for the honor and glory of God. One will be greatly blest even if the role that time is that or a Martha..

Tomorrow's reading: :Lk 11..1-4 

10.05.14

                            

Lectio: Lk 10.25-37                            

Meditatio: “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber’s victim? He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise’.” Lk 10.36-37

Oratio: O God, You made it so easy for us to remember what You want us if we want to be with You in the eternal kingdom.

I remember Jesus dialogued with a lawyer when the lawyer asked what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus asked the lawyer what the law says? And the lawyer replied that you must love God  with your whole, with all your being, with your whole being, and with your whole mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Jesus told him he had answered correctly. And Jesus then told the parable about the Good Samaritan to make clear who are neighbors are. The bottom line is all are our neighbors and especially those who are in need . In prayer seek the grace to show compassion to those who are in need to the extent I am able for that fulfills the law of love for my neighbor and is a major step to God granting me eternal 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:"neighbor...robber’s victim... one....treated... mercy”; the parable of the Good Samaritan defines what love of neighbor is - to show mercy to those in need not just in words but in deeds. In prayer seek the grace to be a person of mercy so as to receive the mercy of God at my judgement.

Tomorrow's reading: :Lk 10.28-42

10.04.14

                         

Lectio: : Mt 21.33-43                

Meditatio: "Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruits.” Mt 21.43

Oratio: O God, You gave us everything both in this life and in the next and all You asked in return is that we live in accord with the great law of Love and produce fruit that will be last and will honor You.       

I remember Jesus told a parable aimed at the religious leaders of His time that they did not produce  the results God wanted. Moreover, they considered what they did produce to be their own and refused to give God, the owner of the vineyard, the share tp which He was entitled. They all came to a sad end for the kingdom of God was taken away from them. It was then given to the followers of His Son, whom they rejected and killed, to their great detriment. In prayer be open to the messengers that God sends to us in this life and treat them with respect and strive to accomplish the results with love that  they ask of us for that is the best way to be gifted with a lasting share of God’s 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:"kingdom...taken away...given to”; Jesus’ parable of the tenants was aimed at the religious leaders of His time for they considered themselves to the sole beneficiaries of the fruits of their work and not God. They got the point that it was aimed at them. Hopefully before it was too late they came to their senses; but history tells us nothing about them except they played a very important role in crucifying our Lord. Seek the grace to be open to God’s will and put it into practice especially by working for justice for the unborn and the frail elderly and God will be pleased with us.

Tomorrow's reading: :Lk 10.25-37

10.03.14

                         

Lectio:  Lk 10.17-24

Meditatio: "Turning to his disciples in private he said, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it’.” Lk 10.23-24

Oratio: O God, what a privilege You have given us!       

I remember we have been privileged to be disciples of Your Son and to have His teachings and His works proclaimed to us so that in hearing, we may believe; and believing have eternal life. In prayer thank God for the great privilege of being a disciple of Jesus and for the grace to live as He wants us to 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:"disciples....Blessed....see...hear”; Jesus declared to His disciples the great privilege they have in being His disciples and seeing and hearing all He did.. In prayer thank God that we are disciples of Jesus and for the grace to always act as one.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 21.33-43

9,30, 1001 & 10.02

9.30.14

Lectio: Lk 9.57-62

Meditatio: "Jesus said, 'No one who sets to the plow and looks to what he left behind is fit for the kingdom of God'." Lk 9.62

Oratio: O God, You committed Yourself to us unreservedly and You expect us to reciprcate.

I remember Your Son used the analogy of putting one's hand to the plow and not looking back, which shows total commitment to the task. In prayer seek the grace to love You more fully and follow You most nearly, and this will show in a small way my gratitude to You

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

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

Operatio: reflect:"plow ... Looks...left behind"; a disciple is called to look forward as to how he can best serve and not look back on what he gave up and if he does so, he emulates God's commitment to us.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 18.1-5, 10

10.01.04

Lectio: Mt 18.1-5,10

Meditatio: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my Heavenly Father." Mt 18.10

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

I remember Jesus told us that we all have guardian angels who always see His Father and we should not look down on others because we are all graced with an angel. In prayer seek the grace to always acknowledge my guardian angel and pray daily to my angel to watch over me, to guide me and to guard me and to lead me in the everlasting 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.on

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

Operatio: reflect:"little ones...their angels"; what a beautiful revelation! God has given each of us an angel who is most powerful for our angel always are in the presence of God. Seek the grace to be ever mindful of our guardian angel and be alert for promptings for it may be our guardian angel directing us.  How will we know? If the prompting is leading us in the right path, that is a very good way of discerning.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 10.13-16

10.02.14

Lectio: Lk 10.13-16

Meditatio: "Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." Lk 10.16

Oratio: O God, You made it easy to know what You want.

I remember Jesus told us that if we listened to the ones He sent,we listen to Him and to You; and He sent disciples and provides successors to the down through the ages through the Church.  In prayer seek to be open to the teachings of the Church for it an easy way of coming to know what God wants of us and we will be blest in the end.

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.on

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

Operatio: reflect:"listens to you...to me"; Jesus made it quite easy for us to know what He and His Father, and Our Father in Heaven, wants. Listen to the Church's teachers for they are is Hus disciples. Seek the grace to be open and docile to the Church's teachings for in listen to the Church, we are listening to Christ.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 10.17-24