11.30.14

Lectio:  Mt 8.5-11
                                       

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

Oratio: O God, what gift of faith You give to people at times!

I remember a centurion’s servant was suffering greatly and he asked Jesus to help. Jesus said He would come and cure him; and the centurion uttered that beautiful expression of faith that Jesus could cure by His words alone. Jesus did declaring He had not seen such faith in Israel. In prayer seek the gift of faith for without faith life here is meaningless and with it, life is everything.
        
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: "Lord...say...be healed”; what a great act of faith the centurion made when he likened Jesus healing powers as simply an order that Jesus would issue. And so it was so. Seek the grace to put my trust fully in the Lord, knowing that no matter what happens in the interim, He is always there for me and will see me to my ultimate destiny - eternal life in His kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading:Lk 10.21-24

11.29.14

Lectio:  Mk 13.33-37                                         

Meditatio: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” Mk 13.33  

Oratio: O God, no one knows when the end of the world will come; but it will and we pray for it every day.               

I remember Your Son told His disciples that they do not know when the time will be come and so He urged them to stay alert and by implication do those things that you ought. In prayer live each day to live  in accord with the Gospel of Love and you will be ready when Jesus comes again whether at the end of time or at the end of your life 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: "Be alert....not know when”; Jesus commanded us to be watchful and alert for we do not know when He will come again except He will. Seek the grace ti live each day as though it were the last one and strive to do what Jesus would do;  and you will be as ready to meet  the Lord requires of us                            .

Tomorrow's reading:Mk 8.5-11

11.28.14

Lectio: Lk 21.34-36                             

Meditatio: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise.” Lk 21.34   

Oratio: O God, You know the things of this world can so imbibe us that we forget why we are here and where we are going.

I remember Jesus warned His followers about becoming drowsy from among other things the anxieties of daily life for He knew that our self centeredness would prevent us from being vigilant and steeped in the way of other-centeredness; that is selfless love, and we would not be ready when the Lord comes, which would be a spiritual disaster.. In prayer seek and follow the way of love so that whenever Jesus comes, at the end of time or at the end of my life time, I will be ready to follow Him to 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 meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "drowsy...anxieties...day.....surprise”; Jesus warned us in effect to keep our eyes on what faith requires. Seek the grace to overcome spiritual bloat whose root cause is self-centeredness by being other-centered so that the allure of this wold will not sedate us and we will be doing what we ought when the day of the Lord arrives for us.

Tomorrow's reading:Mk 13.33-37

11.27.14

Lectio:  Lk 21.29-33                 

Meditatio: "Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until these things have taken place.” Lk 21.22                                                       

Oratio: O God, at times Your words are not easy to understand.        

I remember Your Son is quoted as saying in the context of the end of time that the events that precede it will occur in the generation to which He was speaking, Yet we know the end did not come then. What did Jesus mean?  It is difficult to know but perhaps He was speaking to end of time of the godless and that He is replacing it with the time of redemption. Seek the grace to live in accord with Gospel values for the end of time will then not catch you off guard and Jesus’ coming will be most wonderful for 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: "this...not pass...taken place”; whatever the meaning which is now hidden from our eyes, the bottom line is: Jesus has come and a the time of redemption for all is now at hand. In prayer let us give thanks to our God for being so good and merciful to us.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.34-36

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!

11.26.14

Lectio: Lk 21.20-28

Meditatio: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves." Lk 21.25 

Oratio: O God, how awesome it will be when Your Son comes again!

I remember Jesus said we would be "perplexed" by the many physical signs and events at His coming. Pray that awe and love and not fright and fear be our reactions when Jesus comes whether at the end of time or at the end of our life time for that is how You want Your children 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: "signs...nations...perplexed"; Jesus' second coming will be announced by physical world so that all will know that He is at hand; seek the grace of joy at the prospect of His coming for that is what it should be for His siblings.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.29-33



Lectio: Lk 21.20-28

Meditatio: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves." Lk 21.25 

Oratio: O God, how awesome it will be when Your Son comes again!

I remember Jesus said we would be "perplexed" by the many physical signs and events at His coming. Pray that awe and love and not fright and fear be our reactions when Jesus comes whether at the end of time or at the end of our life time for that is how You want Your children 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: "signs...nations...perplexed"; Jesus' second coming will be announced by physical world so that all will know that He is at hand; seek the grace of joy at the prospect of His coming for that is what it should be for His siblings.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.29-33

11.25.14

Lectio:  Lk21.12-19                                                    
                                                      
Meditatio: “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”  Lk 21.19             

O God, You so much want all to come back to You..                                

I remember Jesus gave us how - PERSEVERE’ In prayer seek the grace to persist in the Good News and Love and then do whatever love demands and the kingdom will one day be yours.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "perseverance...secure “; persist in being a person of love and Jesus proclaims the kingdom will be obtained.  Seek the grace to persevere         in the Gospel and all will be well in the end and during this life.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk21.20-28                                                    

11.24.14

Lectio:  Lk21.5-11                                             

Meditatio: “Then they asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this happen?’...There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plague from place to place, and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” Lk 21.7a, 11

O God, we know that time as we know it will end.                                  

I remember Your Son told the people that the world will end and He cautioned them not to believe those who claim to know. Rather there  will be great signs when it is about to take place. In other words the end will not catch us off guard. In prayer pray for the coming of Christ for that means God’s kingdom will be finally established and life will be as it ought to be and not as it is now.

 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: "when....earthquakes...awesome sight..sky “; the end of time will be preceded by awesome sights and signs so we should not listen to those who predict the end of time. Rather we should seek the grace to live as though the end were today and we will be ready whenever if occurs even if it is simply for us the end of our own lifetime.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk21.12-19                                                    

11.23.14

Lectio: Lk 21.1-4                                   

Meditatio: “and he noticed a poor widow putting in to two small coins. He said, ‘I tell you this poor widow put in more than all the rest’.:” Lk 21.2-3

O God, it is not the size of the gift that pleases You but the size of the heart.

I remember Jesus noticed people putting their gifts in the Temple treasury and despite the fact that the widow’s gift was the smallest in value, it was the greatest in sacrifice and so Jesus singled her out and  praised her. In giving alms do what You can and that is what is most pleasing to God. Seek the grace of a generous heart.

 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: "widow....two...coins...more...rest”; in this episode, Jesus praises the size of the heart in determining what almsgiving is pleasing to God.  In prayer seek a generous heart and give to worthy causes to the extent you are able.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk21.5-11

11.18 to 11.22.14

11.18.14

Lectio: Lk 19.11-28

Meditatio: "He called ten if his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'engage in trade with these until I return'." Lk 19.13

Oratio: O God, You give us work to do, and You rightly expect we will do it.

I remember Your Son told a parable about Ten Gold Coins which is very similar to the parable of the Talents found in Matthew; and the bottom line is the same - the one who buried his gold coin out of fear had the same unhappy ending as the one who was given one talent and did not use it. In prayer seek the courage to do one's duty the best you can and regardless of the result, that is all that The Lord expects of you and you will enter the Master's joy.

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: "gave ten ... engage in trade"; engage is a directive and should not be ignored unless a higher good is at stake. Failure to follow an order will have adverse consequences if given by a person in authority. Seek the grace of obedience to those who have charge and all will be well even if the undertaking is a failure.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.41.44


11.19.14

Lectio: Lk 19.41-44

Meditatio: "As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying 'If this day you only knew what makes for peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes'." Lk 19.41,42

Oratio: O God, You so much want us to live in peace.

I remember You sent You Son as the Prince of Peace to Your Chosen people but they rejected Him and the enemies of the Jews would destroy Jerusalem. In prayer seek to be a peacemaker for they will be Your children and inherit the kingdom for being a source of peace in this 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: "he...wept...knew...peace"; Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they fail to recognize Him as the true mediator of peace to their great detriment. Seek the grace to act as siblings of Christ and allow Him to use you as His instrument of peace and you and they will be greatly blest

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.45-48

.11.20.14

Lectio: Lk 19.45-48

Meditatio: "Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things." Lk 19.45

Oratio: O God, You tolerate so much from us.

I remember the religious leaders were allowing the Temple area to be used by merchants to sell things to be used in the Temple and Your Son drove them out; and  the leaders began to plot as to how to kill him because He was interfering with how they were doing things. Seek the grace to remember Your Church is a house if prayer and to treat it as such.

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 today and reflect on this passage and see how God may be speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: "temple...drive out...selling"; it should have been the religious leaders who stopped the selling but it took Jesus in the mode of a righteous prophet to do so, incurring the hostility of the leaders in the process.  In prayer ask for the grace to be always reverent in Church as that is the le      can do in my Father's house

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 20.27-40
                      


11.21.14

 Lectio: Lk 20.27-40

 Meditatio: "Some Sadducees, those who deny the resurrection, came forward and put this question to him...Now at the  resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her." Lk 20.27,33

 Oratio: O God, You are so patient with the slowness of our coming to faith.

 I remember the Sadducees thought they had a gotcha question when they assumed the afterlife
 Is the same as this life, and posed the question about all seven marrying the same woman, and Jesus easy retort was in the next life we do not marry and then He crushed them when He pointed out that Scripture shows that even Moses believed in the resurrection and they dared not to ask any further questions to test Him. In prayer seek a humble and contrite heart and rejoice in your faith and leave it to the theologians to plumb difficult questions.

 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 today and reflect on this passage and see how God may be speaking to you.

 Operatio: reflect: "Sadducees ..question....whose wife?" The afterlife is it the same as this life but so much more and since we live on forever there is no need for marriage; seek the grace to live in this life as we ought so that we will be blest with all the the joy and love that is a very real part of heaven.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mt 25.31-46

11.22.14

Lectio: Mt 25.31-46                       

Meditatio: “Then they will answer and say ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to you’?” He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you what you did not do for these least ones, you did not do for me’.” Mt 25.44-45

O God, You have wonderfully graced us! Your Son not only knows we are effected by neglect and bad behavior but He is incarnate through us! Wow!

I remember Jesus in the Parable of the Nations made this clear that when we neglect the least among us we are neglecting Him. . He  made it clear that He is incarnate in each and every one of us so much so that what effects us, effects Him. In prayer seek the grace  to remember that Jesus is in everyone and that means everyone should be respected because of the dignity they possess

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

Operatio: reflect: "when...see you....did...least...did...me”; In this wonderful parable about the judgement at the end of time Jesus reveals that He is did not simple come to save us but that He is within us throughout our journey.  Seek the grace to show everyone respect for in doing so we are showing respect for Christ Himself and we are honoring this great and wonderful mystery.

 Tomorrow's reading: Lk 21.1-4                                                        

11.17.14

Lectio: Lk 19.1-10                        

Meditatio: “So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.” Lk 19.4

O God, You want all who seek You to find You.             

I remember Zacchaeus was small of stature so he climbed a tree in order to see Jesus. For doing so Jesus visited his house and ate with him and proclaimed salvation to him and his household. In prayer seek help to remember that Jesus came to save those who were lost and then seek the grace to help .those who are seeking Jesus to find Him. In doing so, Jesus will be our Lord and Savior.                                                     
Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "climbed....see Jesus”; by His desire Zacchaeus came to see Jesus in the flesh and Jesus proclaimed  salvation. . Seek the grace to see Jesus in those whom we serve and we will be blest by His presence - now and forever. May all be so blest.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.11-28                           

11.16.14

Lectio: Lk 6..27-38         

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

O God, You want all to be kind to others as You are kind..

I remember Jesus proclaimed the Golden Rule in His Sermon on the Mount as the guide for our showing kindness. And He promised a great reward for those who are merciful for they shall obtain Your mercy - How wonderful! How marvelous! How kind! Seek the grace to love others as you love yourself and you will live the Golden Rule and you will bask in God’s mercy.

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

Operatio: reflect: "Do....have....do...you.”; in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus gave us a simple principle to live by and promised us a great ending if we do. In prayer resolve to live always by the Golden Rule;  and the ending of one’s life is worth the time and effort that abiding by the Golden Rule entails.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.1-10                            

11.15.14

Lectio: Mt 25.14-30                      

Meditatio: “Then the one who received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person...so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant’!.” Mt 25.24a,25, 26a  

O God, You want all of us to use what talents we have to help in bringing about Your kingdom here on earth.

I remember Jesus made this very clear when He told a Parable of the Talents. The one who buried the talent given to him was punished not because he had only one talent, but because he failed to use it. In prayer help me to realize that how little talent I have, God gave it to me to play a particular part in establishing His kingdom. May I always use and not abuse or bury my talent.

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

Operatio: reflect: "one talent....wicked, lazy servant”; in His Parable of the Talents Jesus made it clear that even if we have only one talent, we must use it for the kingdom. May I have the grace to use the talents God gives me for the purpose He gives them to me; and I will be able to live in His grace and come to one day share in His joy..

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 18.35-43     

11.12.14 to 11.14.14

11.12.14

Lectio:Lk 17.20-25

Meditatio: “Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom  of God will come, he said in reply, 'The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed...For behold, the kingdom of God is among you'." Lk 17.20, 21c

I remember Jesus made it clear that God's kingdom as it exists in earth until the end of time, will not be a physical kingdom, but a spiritual one marked by people of love. In prayer seek to be a kingdom builder by living in accord with the Great Law of Love,

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

Operatio: reflect: "cannot...observed...among you"; God's kingdom on earth is not of bricks and mortar, but of the heart; seek the grace to love in all matter and then do as you wish and you will be doing you part to build God's kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.26-30

11.13.14

Lectio:Lk 17.26-30

Meditatio: “on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all." Lk 17.29

O God, we often get our priorities wrong and put the wrong emphasis on what we should be doing at any particular moment.

I remember Jesus made it clear that we must be vigilant for the day of His second coming because it will happen without warning and utter destruction will fall upon those who were not vigilant, like the unbelievers of Noah's and Lot's times. In prayer seek the grace to live each day as though it were my last and I will be ready to meet The Lord no matter when He comes.

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

Operatio: reflect: "Lot...Sodom..fire...destroy...all"; Jesus' warning to those who are not vigilant and prepare for His coming.  Seek the grace to live always in His love and peace of mind and of heart and soul will be ours.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 18.1-8

11.14.24

Lectio:Lk 18.1-8

Meditatio: “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?" Lk 18.7

O God, You so much want us to persevere in our journey back to You and You will help us if we call upon You.

I remember Your Son told the parable about the persistent widow and his her persistence wore down the unjust judge and he gave her the rights that were her due. In a similar way, if we persist in calling upon Him, He assures us we will be heard and our needs granted.  In prayer seek the  grace to rely on The Lord and He will not disappoint.

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

Operatio: reflect: "secure...call out...day...night"; Jesus made it clear in His parable that persistence in our prayers is the key to their being granted if they are good for us.  May I have the grace to pray always with confidence knowing God will grant what I truly need for He so much wants us to successfully complete our journey to Him.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 25.14-15,19-21

11.11.14

Lectio: Lk 17.11-19                                                                                

Meditatio: "Jesus said in reply, ‘Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine’?”
Lk 17.17                                                             

Oratio: O God, You know we are often thoughtless and even ungrateful.

I remember Your Son cured ten lepers but only one came back to thank Him. What a gift they were given! What a lack of gratitude nine of them displayed! In prayer seek the grace of a grateful spirit and be ever mindful of the good that others do and express  thankfulness to them for that is the least one can do and should do.                 

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: "tem cleansed...”; we welcome favors and gifts and healings; but at times we are oblivious of our duty to give thanks for the benefit received. Seek the grace of a grateful heart and always express gratitude to the giver; and let that gift prompt you to be a cheerful giver to someone in need,

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.20-25 

.11.10.14

Lectio: Lk 17.7-10                                                                     

Meditatio: "When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants, we have done what we have been commanded to do’.” Lk 17.10b,c 
     
Oratio: O God, You know we are often concerned with our self-importance but that is not what You want of us.                                                          

I remember Jesus said that when we do what we do, we are simply unprofitable. Why? Because we are only able to do because of God’s grace. Therefore we should not be patting ourselves on our backs. In prayer seek the grace of humility knowing all that we are and all that wedo and all that we  may become, is all the result of God’s power.

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: "unprofitable...done..commanded”; we are often concerned with our own self-importance; when our successes are really attributable to God acting through us. Seek the grace to be a worthy instrument of the Lord’s so that He can accomplish through us what He wishes and leave the bows to Him.      
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.11-19

11.09.14

Lectio: Lk 17.1-6                                                           

Meditatio: "It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin..” Lk 17.2
     
Oratio: O God, You know that we will fail and sin against You but You decry those who cause others to sin.                                                            
I remember Jesus said that those, who cause scandal and result in others sinning, should be thrown into the sea with a millstone around their neck which insure their destruction. In prayer strive to stay on the narrow path and give no scandal to those who are weak so that you will remain in God’s 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: "millstone...neck...sea” ; this gross image is intended to show the consequences to those who cause scandal leading others to sin. Seek the grace to always avoid giving scandal and when I have the misfortune to sin, to immediately turn to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness.                        
.         
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.7-10

11.08.14

Lectio: Jn 2.13-22                                                

Meditatio: "His disciples recalled the words of scripture, ‘ Zeal for my Father’s house will consume me’.”
Jn 2.17

Oratio: O God, You rook great delight in Your Son for His display of righteous anger because the merchants were making a marketplace out of the Temple area.

I remember He took cords and made a whip out of them and drove the merchants and the animals out ot the Temple area for His zeal for Your house consumed Him and properly so. In prayer seek to be always    respectfully both in words and deeds while in Church for there God dwells ;in a special way in the Tabernacle. And there He wants to be with us and we with 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: "Zeal...consumed”; Jesus was properly angered over the way in which the merchants and money changers were using the Temple areas; and He showed His righteous anger by driving them out. Seek the grace to be always  aware that a church is the house of God. May we always show it the greatest respect.
.         
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 17.1-6

11.07.14

Lectio: Lk 16.9-15                 

Meditatio: "No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Lk 16.15

Oratio: O God, you know how a divided heart cam easily lead us astray.

I remember Your Son warned us that we could not serve You and serve mammon. He knew that if we were attached to material things, they soon become  gods in our llife and will become the source to whom we pary our allegiance instead of You, our most loving and only true God. In prayer seek the grace of detachment from material things using them to help us but not letting them become the object of our love and devotion..

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: "cannot....God...mammon"; it is so important that we keep our priorities right - that God alone is God and all others and things are given to us to lead us back to Him and not to be a substitute for Him. Seek the grace to love God with an undivided heart so no one, no thing, will ever take His rightful place and we will be acting p prudently as He so wants us to.         

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 2.13-22

11.05 & 11.06,14

11.05.14

Lectio: Lk 15.1-10

Meditatio: "I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents  than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." Lk 15.7

Oratio: O God, how merciful You are and how You want all to come back to You.

I remember You Son made it clear that He came to save sinners when He told the parable of the Lost Sheep and emphasized it with His parable of the List Coin. In prayer seek the grace when I sin to immediately turn back to The Lord knowing He so much wants my return.

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: "more joy...one...than over 99"; gratefully Jesus mission was for us sinners. May we have the grace to seek The Lord when we have sinned knowing God will not condemn us but save us for that is why He came. And seek to bring Him joy by staying on the straight and narrow path which leads to His kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 16.1-8

11.06.14

Lectio: Lk 16.1-8

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

Oratio: O God, you desire that we expend as much thought and effort on the things that matter most for our salvation as we do for the passing things of this life.

I remember Jesus told a parable about a dishonest steward to show how we act prudently about things of this life which effect our self interest - implying that we should act prudently in our actions to obtain eternal life. In prayer seek the grace to make prudent choices as to actions which will lead to the kingdom for our Heavenly Father so much wants us to return home to 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: "commended...dishonest steward...prudently"; the steward's actions were also dishonest and he was not being commended for this but for the effectiveness of his actions for he would have benefactors who would take care of him as he took care of them. Prudence- to see and do what is effective to accomplish a task.  Seek the grace to act prudently as you seek heaven and God will gift it to you.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 16.9-15

11.04.14

Lectio:  Lk 14.25-33                                                    

Meditatio: "If anyone come to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Lk 14.26

Oratio: O God, You Word is at time mystifying and at first we do not understand.

I remember Jesus told His followers that they must hate those who are very dear to them otherwise they cannot be His disciple. This seems to go against everything we have been taught for love and not hate is to be our guide in all things. But then the light goes on and we realize Jesus is using hyperbole, that is exaggeration to make a point and the point is - total commitment to Him. In prayer seek the grace to keep my priorities straight and always keep God as number one in my life.

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

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

Operatio:  reflect:” without hating....cannot...disciple”; a strange saying to the modern ear but a call to total commitment if we wish to be His disciple. Seek the grace to love and serve Jesus with our whole heart mind and strength and that will show by our actions that we are His disciples and that will be most pleasing to Him.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 15..1-10

11.03.14

Lectio:  Lk 14.15-24                                        

Meditatio: "When the time for the dinner came, he despatched his servant to day to those invited: ‘Come, everything is now ready.’But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves...For I tell you none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’ Lk 14,17, 18a, 24                                          
Oratio: O God, You first invited the chosen people to Your kingdom but they rejected Your invitation and then You extended the invitation to everyone but You so much want to share the kingdom.

I remember Jesus told a parable of a great feast in which those invited all made excuses for not coming and sadly those who did would never taste the dinner which stood for the kingdom of God. In prayer seek the grace to show by our actions that we will accept an invitation to the kingdom for there is no greater good for us than God and being in His presence..

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

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

Operatio:  reflect:” Come....all...excuse themselves”; how sad - those who were first offered the Kingdom rejected it but wonderfully we are the beneficiaries of their rejection. In prayer thank God for extending the invite to His Kingdom to all people and show your acceptance by living a life in accord with Gospel values.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 14.25-33

11.02.14

Lectio: Lk 14.12-14                            

Meditatio: "Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,:”
 Lk 14.13                                                                       

Oratio: O God, You have a special love for the poor, the oppressed, the outcast - the anawin.          

I remember Jesus told a host that these are the ones whom he should invite to his banquet because they cannot repay him for doing so. The Lord will repay him in the resurrection. He will also find the anawin at the heavenly banquet for the Lord will take care of them for He loves those who many consider unlovable.  In prayer seek the grace to treat all who are oppressed, financially, mentally, physically and socially as honored guests of the Lord for so they are.

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:” banquet....invite....poor...blind”; be gracious to those who are the have nots and the Lord will be graciosus to you for they are very important to Him and they are deserving of our love out of love for Him. Seek the grace to do so.                                            

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 14.15-24

11.01.14

Lectio: Jn 6.37-40                 

Meditatio: "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in hm may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on} the last day.” Jn 6.40

Oratio: O God, How You love us!                                                                        

I remember Your Son declared that it is Your will that everyone who believes in Him shall have unending life - how generous! How gracious! What love! In prayer seek a strong faith live it and then do with me what You 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:” everyone...believes...eternal life”; what a reward for faith in Jesus - eternal life - a life of peace, joy and love. Seek the grace to love Jesus deeply and serve Him in this life as He wonts of us and then allow Him to do with us as He wills.                                    

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 14.12-14