3.23.15

 Lectio: Jn 8,21-30                                                         

 Meditatio: “So Jesus said to them, ’When you lift up the Son of Man ,then you will realize that I Am, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me’.” Jn 8.28

 Oratio: O God, You did everything to make it clear that Your Son was sent on Your behalf.

 I remember Jesus declared toward the end of His public ministry that when He was lifted up, people would realize that He is God and the Son of God. In prayer seek to be open to the various ways in which God continues to reveal Himself to the world for it is for our benefit alone that He does so.

 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.

Operatio: reflect, "lift up...realize..I Am”; Jesus was clear as to who He is using the very words that the Jews use to describe God and in making a reference to His Father, He revealed He is His Son. Seek the grace of gratitude that our forefathers in faith recognized Jesus for Who He is and put Jesus’ words into practice for that is most pleasing to the Heavenly Father.

 Tomorrow's reading: LK 1.26-38

3.22.15

 Lectio: Jn 8,1-11                                               

 Meditatio: “But when they continued to ask him, he straighten up and said to them, ‘Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’.” Jn 8.7

 Oratio: O God, You are so merciful and kind.

 I remember Jesus not only avoided a t trap when the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Him to see if He would uphold the law and Moses and agree that she should be stoned,. Jesus not only turned the tables on them by inviting one of them without sin, to cast the first stone, but He also forgave the woman and told her not to commit this sin anymore. In prayer ask to be non-judgmental for judgement is the Lord’s.

 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.

Operatio: reflect, "one....without sin...throw....stone”; we are all sinners and we should avoid judging others. Seek the grace to avoid gossip and casting judgment on others for that is not the way Jesus wants His brothers and sisters to act, Rather He wants us to leave judging others sup to Him and in His great love mercy will prevail.           

 Tomorrow's reading: Jn 8,21-30

3.21.15

 Lectio: Jn 12,20-33                                   

 Meditatio: “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” Jn 12.32                                                         
 Oratio: O God, Your Son did everything to convince people that You had sent Him for their good - but they were hard of heart.           

 I remember Jesus had to be crucified before He would be accepted as coming from You and be which He would  extend Your love to all mankind. In prayer thank God for the covenant of love that Jesus entered with us and sealed in His own blood so that believing in Him, we would have 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.

Operatio: reflect, "lifted up....draw everyone”; the sign of God’s covenant love for us is His Son’s passion, death and resurrection.  No greater love can be given than to lay down one’s life for another; and Jesus did this for us. Seek the grace to believe in Jesus always and to do His will by being a person of selfless love for others.

 Tomorrow's reading: Jn 8,1-11

3.20.15

 Lectio: Jn 7.40-53                                    

 Meditatio: “The guards answered, ‘Never before has anyone spoken like this one’.” Jn 7.46                                                             
 Oratio: O God, the common people, the little ones, readily accepted Your Son but not the ones who should did not..                      

 I remember Jesus was accepted by the temple guards but not by the Temple leaders - how sad for them. In prayer ask the Spirit to be always there and prompt me to recognize Him when God speaks in His various ways.

 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.

Operatio: reflect, "Never...spoken like...one”; the Temple officials should have listened to Jesus but it took their guards to discover that Jesus had the authority and the one who was owed allegiance. Seek the grace to be open to the Word of God no matter the vehicle God chooses to reveal it for it is for my welfare.           

 Tomorrow's reading: Jn 11.1-45

3.19.15

 Lectio: Jn 7.1-2,10,25-30                  

 Meditatio: "And look, he is speaking openly and they are saying nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is eh Messiah?” Jn 7.26

 Oratio: O God, how much more could Your Son have done to reveal His role but in our stubbornness we rejected the obvious.

 I remember Your Son worked many miracles and many of the ordinary people accepted Him and even proclaimed Him king; but not the elite because they knew where He came from. In prayer may I always recognize the mystery of the human person and realize that a person is so much more than his or hers origins.                                                                          

 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.

 Operatio: reflect, "Could...authorities.... Messiah?”; the authorities should have recognized that Jesus was the Messiah. But because they knew His origin, they rejected Him. Seek the grace to be open minded as especially in evaluating who a person is for he or she may be the very one God has put in my life for my ultimate good.

 Tomorrow's reading:

 Lectio: Jn 7.1-2,10,25-30                  

 Meditatio: "And look, he is speaking openly and they are saying nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is eh Messiah?” Jn 7.26

 Oratio: O God, how much more could Your Son have done to reveal His role but in our stubbornness we rejected the obvious.

 I remember Your Son worked many miracles and many of the ordinary people accepted Him and even proclaimed Him king; but not the elite because they knew where He came from. In prayer may I always recognize the mystery of the human person and realize that a person is so much more than his or hers origins.                                                                          

 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.

 Operatio: reflect, "Could...authorities.... Messiah?”; the authorities should have recognized that Jesus was the Messiah. But because they knew His origin, they rejected Him. Seek the grace to be open minded as especially in evaluating who a person is for he or she may be the very one God has put in my life for my ultimate good.

 Tomorrow's reading: Jm 7.40-53

3.17.15

 Lectio:  Jn 5.17-20                                                                          

Meditatio: For this reason the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath, but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God..” Jn 5.18
     

 Oratio: O God, how nearsighted we are and yet You want us to be far sighted and see things as they are. I remember when Jesus claimed to be Your Son, having already performed many miracles to show He was special, the religious leaders rejected His claim out of hand. In prayer thank God for being born now and not then, for it is  so much easier now to a accept the oblivious that is meant for our great benefit.

 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.

Operatio: reflect: "Jews..kill....called God...father”; Jesus declared the truth but the elite could not accept it because of their preconceived notion as to how things should be. .Seek the grace to be open to the mystery of God so as to bask in the glory He reveals for our good.

 Tomorrow's reading: Lk 2.41-51a 

 P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day and the top of the morning to you.

3.16.15

 Lectio:  Jn 5.1-16                                                                

Jesus said to him, ‘Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on the sabbath. ” Jn 5.16 

 Oratio: O God, You gave us right guidance in Your commandments; alas, the Jews gave their own interpretation to Your commandments and looked only at the letter of the law and not the spirit, to the detriment of the people they serve and leading to the death of Your Son. In prayer thank God for providing wise commandments for our physical and spiritual natures and abide by their spirit.

 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.

Operatio: reflect: "Jews...persecute Jesus... did...sabbath”; O God, we saw the results of legalism when practiced by the religious leaders of the Jews. Seek the grace to abide always by the spirit of Your commandments for they are for our good and for the good of others.

 Tomorrow's reading: Jn 5.17-20

3,14,15

 Lectio: Jn 3.14-21                                          

 Meditatio: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Jn 3.16

 Oratio: O God, You so wanted to share Your love that You created us and redeemed us so that we could be with You forever in a place of peace, joy and love. I remember John the Evangelist revealed this wonderful truth to us. In prayer thank God for being so, so good to us and thank His Son for coming to 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.

Operatio: reflect: "God...loved....gave...Son....eternal life”; God is a Lover and a Giver. Seek the grace of a grateful heart and a believing heart so that God’s goodness and love for us will bear the fruit He wants; and what we really want if we  reflect on His gift of His Son to us.

 Tomorrow's reading: Jn 4.43-54

3.14.15

 Lectio: Jn 3.14-21                                          

 Meditatio: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Jn 3.16

 Oratio: O God, You so wanted to share Your love that You created us and redeemed us so that we could be with You forever in a place of peace, joy and love. I remember John the Evangelist revealed this wonderful truth to us. In prayer thank God for being so, so good to us and thank His Son for coming to 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.

Operatio: reflect: "God...loved....gave...Son....eternal life”; God is a Lover and a Giver. Seek the grace of a grateful heart and a believing heart so that God’s goodness and love for us will bear the fruit He wants; and what we really want if we  reflect on His gift of His Son to us.

 Tomorrow's reading: Jn 4.43-54

3.13.15

 Lectio: Lk 18.9-14                               

 Meditatio: "He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteous and despised everyone else.” Lk 18.9

 Oratio: O God, You desire a humble and contrite heart from those who seek You in prayer. I remember Your Son told a parable about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector who went up to the Temple to pray. In prayer approach God as a child with openeness and without guile for that is the message of Jesus’s parable.

 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.

Operatio: reflect: "parable...convinced...righteous...despised”; prayer is not about giving God an inventory of what we do that is good and what others are doing that is wrong; humility and not self-righteousness is what God desires from us when we go to Him in prayer.  Seek the grace to pray with confidence to our Father knowing that He will give us what we truly need as His children and focus on ourselves and not on negativity.   

 Tomorrow's reading: Jn 3.14-21

3.12.15

 Lectio: Mk 12.28-34                   

 Meditatio: "Jesus replied, ‘the first is this: “Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!...The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these’.” Mk 12.29,31

 Oratio: O God, You have made it easy for us to know what to do to reach Your kingdom.

 I remember Jesus replied to a question posed by a Scribe, that the greatest commandment is to acknowledge that You alone are God and that we are to love You with our whole being and the second commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves; and to do love so makes one not far from  Your kingdom. Pray to follow these commandments always.

 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.

Operatio: reflect: "Lord...Lord alone...love... neighbor"; love of God and love of neighbor as we love our selves are the keys to the kingdom.   Seek the grace of a heart full of love for God and for our neighbors so I can live rightly in this life as God has commanded.

 Tomorrow's reading:Lk 18.9-14

3.11.15

 Lectio: Lk 11.14-23

 Meditatio: "If you who are wicked, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" Lk 11.13

 Oratio: O God, You  are our Father You are our potter, we are Your clay.

 I remember Jesus made it clear that You know what is best for us. In prayer ask the Father to give us the Holy Spirit as there us no greater gift that will do us any better, and do so with confidence, for that is how Jesus wants us to pray.

 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.

 Operatio: reflect: "wicked...give good...more...Father...give...Spirit"; Jesus addressed  our instincts for giving good gifts and compared it with His Father and there is no comparison for the Father gives the Spirit to those who ask.  Seek the grace of the Spirit. Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of the faithful with the fire of Divine Love.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mk 12.28-34

3.10.15

 Lectio:  Mt 5.17-19                                                                             

Meditatio: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Mt 5.17
   
Oratio: O God, You are commandments are wise and for our good.                                  
   
I remember Jesus told the crowds that He did not come to abolish the law; nor should we think in  freeing us from the burdens of the Jewish practices at the time that was His intention. Rather He gave us a easy guide to fulfill the law - He said to love one another. In prayer ask to love all with one’s heart, soul and strength and our God as well as ourselves and we will greatly please the Lord.                                                                                     
 I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
 and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

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

Operatio: reflect: "not abolish...fulfill”; God’s commandments were to guide in the right ways and Jesus came to help us live rightly so He would not abolish what was given for our good. Seek the grace to love all for it is through love that all the requirements of the law and the prophets are fulfilled.                                                                                         

Tomorrow's reading:Lk 11.14-23

3.09.15

 Lectio: Mt 18.21-35                                                                 

Meditatio: "So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” Mt 18.25
   
Oratio: O God, You are all forgiving but You expect us to imitate You.                           
   
I remember Jesus told a parable about the Unforgiving Servant who was forgiven a large debt by his master but then refused to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him. The master then revoked his forgiveness and the message was clear. If we expect God to forgive us, He will but only if we forgive those who are in need of our forgiveness.  In prayer ask for a forgiving spirit for as God’s child, He expects us to imitate Him,  and a forgiving heart is an essential trait fo 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.

Operatio: reflect: "unless...forgive...brother”; Jesus made if v very clear in His parable that if we expects God’s forgiveness, we must forgive those who have hurt us. Seek the grace to forgive others seventy-seven times, that is an unlimited number of times,  for that is God’s way and God will forgive us but only if we forgive others and often as they need it..                                    

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 5.17-19

3.08.15

 Lectio:  Lk 4.24-30                                                      

Meditatio: "When the people heard this, they were filled with fury.”  Lk 4.28                                          
Oratio: O God, You know how fickle we are, yet You still love us.                                 
   
I remember when Jesus spoke in His hometown and reminded them that no prophet is accepted in his home place and then told them about Elijah and Elisha, two of their great prophets, the people of Nazareth tried to kill Him. But He simply went away but He did not abandon them and continued to proclaim the Good News to all. Pray that you will recognize the prophet in your midst and heed his or her words for the Lord has sent him or her for your great benefit.

 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.

 Operatio: reflect: "heard...filled...fury”; imagine Jesus speaking to you today and your being filled with fury at His words; but before you rush to judgment on the people of Nazareth, do you at times  pick and choose what the church proclaims. Seek the grace to be a docile disciple so that the word of God that is proclaimed for you will be readily accepted.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 18.21-35

3.07.15

 Lectio: Jn 2.13-25                                               

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

 Oratio: O God, You have given us our emotional package so that we are able to do what is right.
   
I remember Jesus’ disciples said of Him that zeal for the Temple consumed Him and He was able to physically drive out the money changers and others who were making the Temple a market place. In prayer seek the emotion of zeal for God’s house for therein I meet the Lord and I am wonderfully blest.

 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.

 Operatio: reflect: "Zeal...consume”; zeal and emotion that energizes one to do what should be done to protect and enhance the object to which our emotion is directed. Seek the grace to cultivate zeal for the church for therein dwells the Lord in a special way in the Blessed Sacrament and therein He is made present in the Eucharistic Sacrifice..

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 424-30       

3.06.15

 Lectio: :Lk 15-3,11-32                                

Meditatio: "He said ro his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you. Not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a goat to feast on with my friends.” Lk 15.29

 Oratio: O God, You know us our weakness; yet you not only put up with us but treat us handsomely.   
 I remember Jesus told a parable about the Prodigal Son and in it we hear of the great heart of the Prodigal’s  father and of the narrow and resentful heart of the Prodigal’s brother. Yet the father never gave up on the Prodigal brothe and continued to reason with him despite his obstinacy. In prayer seek a compliant heart;  and one that readily forgives the other and does not measure.

 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.

 Operatio: reflect: "years...served...never gave...goat"; obedience without love can be as hurtful as defiance.  Seek the grace to serve without measuring what others get and allow the Lord to mete out whatever He wishes to give, even if it is  nothing for He has already given us the best - His presence,

Tomorrow's reading: :Jn 2.13-25  

3.05.15

 Lectio:Mt 5.43-48                      

Meditatio: "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill im and acquire his inheritance’.”  Mt 5.38

 Oratio: O God, You know us and You know that our hearts go astray and hurt what is intended for our good.                        

 I remember Jesus told a parable about a vineyard that was leased to tenants. In this parable the tenants were the religious leaders and the Jesus was the Son sent to the people by You. But the religious leaders from whom one would expect better behavior, killed Your Son so that they could maintain their rights over the people. Pray for our religious leaders, our Pope, our Archbishop, that they will be always open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and carry out Your will..

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

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

 Operatio: reflect: "the heir...kill...acquire"; Jealousy led the religious leaders to kill Jesus. Seek the grace to have a heart that is in tune with the Lord so that we may always bask in His love and that our hearts  never stray from Him.

Tomorrow's reading: :Lk 1-3,11-32

3.03.15

 
Lectio: Mt 20.17-28                                                                           
                 
 Meditatio: “But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” Mt 20. 26

 Oratio: O God, Your way to greatness is so simple.

I remember Jesus told His disciples that whoever wanted to be great among them must be their servant. In prayer seek to imitate Jesus and to be the servant of the servants and that will be most pleasing to Jesus and the 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.

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

 Operatio: reflect:"great...your servant”; The Suffering Servants Songs of Isaiah remind us of Jesus; and Jesus reminds us that we must be servants of others if we wish to be great in His eyes. Seek the grace to be of service to those whose lives we touch and we will receive plaudits from Jesus for following in His path.                                    .
                            
Tomorrow's reading: Lk 16.19-31

3.02.15

 
Lectio:  Mt 23.1-12                                                                
                 
 Meditatio: “The greatest among you must be your servant.” Mt 23.11

 Oratio: O God, You know we all wish to be recognized for what we do and You gave us the standard to measure our greatness.

I remember Jesus told the crowds that the greatest are those who serve. In prayer seek to be a servant to those whom you come in contact, both in spirit and in fact,  and you will be what God calls you to  be and you will be great in the eyes of the only one who matters - 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:"greatest...servant.”: it is not in titles or in how you appear to others that makes you great; rather it is in service to those in need that is he way of greatness. Seek the grace to be a servant to those whose lives you touch and the Heavenly Father will be pleased with what you do and who you are.                                      .
                            
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 20.17-28

3.01.15

 
Lectio: Lk 6.36-38                                                      
                  
 Meditatio: “Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful.” LK 6.36

 Oratio: O God, You kindness towards us exceeds our wildest dreams and You urge us to imitate You.     

I remember Jesus told us to be merciful as His Father is merciful for in doing do we become true sons and daughters of the Father whose essence is mercy and without which our destiny would be hopeless. In prayer ask for a full participation in the Father’s ways by being a person who always extends mercy to others.                                                                           

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

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

 Operatio: reflect:"merciful....as....Father.”: mercy is more than being kind, it is being God-like for that is Who the Father is. Seek the grace to be merciful and extend it in full measure for the measure with which you give is the measure with which you will receive and we all need the fullness of God’s mercy.                                              .
                            
 Tomorrow's reading: Mt 23.1-12