6.25.15

 Lectio: Mt 8.1-4                                                              
                                
Meditatio: “And then a leper approached him, and said, ‘If you wish, you can make me clean’.” Mt 8.2
 
Oratio: O God, what faith the leper showed he had in Jesus,  proclaiming that Jesus could heal him off an incurable disease.  Pray that you have a fraction of the leper’s faith and,  as Jesus proclaimed elsewhere,  that will be enough to command a mountain to move and all you really want is to overcome the follies of this world so as to be with Jesus 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what  God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "wish...make...clean”: Jesus responded to the leper’s wish and touched him ( a  forbidden act because of leprosy was a  contagious disease);  and Jesus then said that He did wish and the leper was made clean. Seek the grace to trust always in the Lord and He will not disappoint in things that really matter.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 8.5-17

P.S. I will be on vacation for a week and I will resume ‘Lectio” then. I will remember all in my daily Mass.

6.23.15

 Lectio: Lk 1.57-66,80                                 
                                
Meditatio: “He [Zechariah] asked for a tablet and wrote, ‘John is his name,’ and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” Lk 1.63-64 

Oratio: O God, how marvelous are Your ways. By Zechariah naming his son John and not after himself, You gave him back his speech. Pray to do Your will and no matter what happens in the interim, know that in the end all will be well.

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

Operatio: reflect: "He,,,wrote...John”; Zechariah was made mute because he doubted and he was made whole when he showed his compliance with God’s will. Seek to do God’s will in all things and then allow God to do whatever He wills for you; knowing that it will be for your great benefit in the long run.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 7.21-29

6.22.15

 Lectio: Mt 7.6, 12-14                   
                                
Meditatio: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.” Mt 7.12

Oratio: O God, Your Son made it so easy for us to know what we ought to do. He gave us the Golden Rule. In prayer do to others what you would have them do to you and you will live rightly.

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

Operatio: reflect: "Do...others...do to you”; this is the basic guide for right living. Seek the grace to apply the Golden Rule in every situation and you will be richly blest by the Lord.

Tomorrow's reading:Lk 1.57-66,80

6.21.15

 Lectio: Mt 7.1-5
                                
Meditatio: “For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. “ Mt 7.2

Oratio: O God, Your Son warned about judging others for that will bring judgment on you. In prayer apply the standards to others as you apply to yourself as you will what the Lord wants. 

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

Operatio: reflect: "judge...be judged’ ; judge not is Jesus’ admonition so that you will not be judged. Seek the grace to refrain from judging the other realizing you cannot know what is going on inside the person. If you must judge, apply the same standards to them as you apply to self for that is the measure with which God will mete out judgement on you.             

 Tomorrow's reading:Mt 7.6, 12-14

P.S. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers who see this posting. To all: be sure to tell your father you love him,  at least by phone;  or by prayer if he has gone before you to the Kingdom.

6.20.15

 Lectio:  Mk 4. 35-41                     

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

Oratio: O God, Jesus showed His power over the wind and the seas as He calmed a violent storm that threatened His life and the lives of His disciples. His doing so revealed another aspect of the mystery of God. In prayer humbly rejoice and give thanks and praise to  our God, to our God of mystery, to  our God of 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what  God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "awe...Who...whom...wind...sea obey”; Jesus in calming the sea led His disciples into a greater mystery of God and they could only marvel at His power. Seek the grace to always allow God to be God. Seek Him in all things and allow Him to bring us Home regardless of the deepest pain, the darkest moment, the deepest loss we are experiencing  and He will because He is a God who cares and Who loves us so much that He wants us to be with Him forever.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mt 7.1-5

6.19.15

 Lectio:  Mt 6.24-34                                                                                                                           

Meditatio: “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life span?.” Mt 6.27

Oratio: O God, Jesus taught us the importance of trust in Him and His ways. He admonished us about trying to serve two masters, God and mammon.  Pray that I may trust in the Lord and heed Jesus advice and not fret about things.                        

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "worrying add...to....life span”; Jesus made it clear that worrying gets you no where. Seek the grace to work to the best of your ability and to trust in God’s providence for that He is how He wants us to live as we journey to the kingdom.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mk 4. 35-41          

6.18.15

Lectio:Mt.6.19-23                                                                                                                                    

Meditatio: “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Mt 6.21   

Oratio: O God, Jesus taught His followers about the dangers of earthy riches for they can become the end we seek rather than You and Your kingdom. In prayer thank God for the many blessings He  bestows on us and to always remember that these blessings are not the end we seek, ut aids to help us and those whose lives we touch on our journey 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what  God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "where...treasure...heart,,,be”; earthly riches are good but if they become the ends and not means for us; they will endanger our successful journey to the Father. Seek the grace to have the right attitude towards the good things of this world and use them for our good and the good of the lives we serve as means to help us  on the road to the Heavenly kingdom and we will be using them as God intended.
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 Tomorrow's reading:Mt 6.24-34

6.17.15

 Lectio:  Mt 6.7-15                                                                                                                             

Meditatio: “This is how you are to pray,’Our Father in heaven; hallowed be thy name’.” Mt 6.9

Oratio: O God, Jesus taught us how to pray and He made it clear we are to pray aa a community for He did not say, ‘My Father’; but rather ‘Our Father’. Pray that I may always remember that it is not only about me but about us for whom I should and do 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what  God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "pray....Our Father”; Jesus taught very clearly that prayer is about the community -  all of whom pray to the same Father. Seek the grace to remember in my prayers the faith community, too, for that is how Jesus wants us to pray and He knows what is best.        

 Tomorrow's reading: Mt. 6.19-23

6.16.15

 Lectio:  Mt 6.1-6, 16-18                                                                                                                       

Meditatio: “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Mt 6.6         

Oratio: O God, when Your Son instructed His followers about the ascetical practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, He made it very clear we should not do it for praise from others. Pray that our practice of praying, giving and fasting may always be done for one reason, as an offering to the Father for then such practices become efficacious.

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

Operatio: reflect: "pray....in secret”; Jesses taught us to give alms, pray and fast in ways that are not for show but for His heavenly Father alone. Seek the grace to be a person of integrity and not a hypocrite so that my offerings to the Father will be pleasing to Him and helpful to me.

 Tomorrow's reading:Mt 6.7-15

6.15.15

 Lectio: Mt 5.43-48                                                                                                            

Meditatio: “You have heard it was said,  ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Mt 5.43-44

Oratio: O God, Jesus instructed His followers on how they are to relate. The bottom line we are to love all even our enemies. Pray that the Great Law of Love will also be your guiding principle for that is what Jesus expects and that is what we ought to 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what  God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "love...hate...love...enemies”; Jesses taught and gave the guiding principle in all our relationships with both friends and foe.  Seek the grace to love all and then know you can do as you will.       

 Tomorrow's reading: Mt 6.1-6, 16-18

6.14.15

 Lectio: Mt 5.38-42                                                                                                 

Meditatio: “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you,  offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” Mt 5. 38-39

 Oratio: O God, Jesus instructed His followers on how to deal with those who have injured you. He did away with the a proportionate response and urged that no response be made to the offender.  Pray to refrain from revenge when wrongly hurt for a higher good. And you will have put Jesus’ instruction into practice.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "eye for....a tooth for....no resistance”; Jesses taught about retaliation and the bottom line was to offer none; and that will prevent a cycle of revenge. Seek the grace of forbearance, i.e. to refrain from revenge for a higher good such as love or peace; and God will be greatly pleased for He loves a peacemaker.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mt 5.43-48

6.13.15

 Lectio: Mk 4.26-34                                                                                      

Meditatio: “He said, ‘This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.” Mk 4.26,27

 Oratio: O God, Jesus through the use of parables disclosed how the kingdom of God comes about. He used the growth of seeds and the results as something the farmer does not know ‘how’; but he knows it does. Similarly we do not know how the kingdom of God grows, but it does. In prayer thank God for using His power and by His loving care for us to bring about the kingdom of God.  

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

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

 Operatio: reflect: "seed...grows....knows not”; seeds planted grow and produce fruit; we know they do, but we do not know how. Reflection on this matter reveals the conclusion that it is the power of God at work through the power He gave to the seeds. Seek the grace to br ever mindful of God’s loving care for us even when bad things happen;  for we have a God who cares and who will ultimately bring us to the kingdom.

 Tomorrow's reading::Mt 5.38-42

6.12.15

 Lectio: Mt 5.33-37                                                                                      

Meditatio: “Let your ‘Yes’, mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’Any thing more is from the evil one.” Mt 5.37

 Oratio: O God, Jesus told His disciples about integrity when He taught them about Oaths. Pray that your word may always be taken at its face for that is what Jesus expects of us.

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

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

 Operatio: reflect: "Yes...No....mean”; integrity demands that we do not attempt to deceive with our speech. Seek to always speak the truth and to avoid deception in words and in actions,

 Tomorrow's reading::Lk 2.41-51

6.09.15

 Lectio: Mt 5.17-19                                                                                      

Meditatio: “Do not think 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, Jesus told His disciples that His followers were to fulfill the law and the prophets; and at first blush this seems so onerous. But then elsewhere He told us that all the laws and the prophets are fulfilled by loving God with your whole heart, soul and strength and You neighbor as your self. Pray to be a selfless lover in all situations and Jesus will be greatly 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what  God is saying to you.

 Operatio: reflect: "abolish....law...fulfill” ; The laws given by Moses and interpreted by the religious leaders were numerous and the proclamation of the prophets were many. To comply with all of them was an impossibility until Jesus also revealed how. Seek the grace to live in accord with the great Law of Love and you will fulfill Jesus’ command.

 Tomorrow's reading::Mt 5.20-26

6.08.15

 Lectio:  Mt 5.13-16                                                  

Meditatio: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.” Mt 5.14



 Oratio: O God, Jesus gave concrete instructions to His disciple as part of His Sermon on the Mount one of which is to be he the light of the world. Pray that others may see Jesus alive and active in us so as to be drawn to Him for their good; and Jesus will be pleased with 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what  God is saying to you.

 Operatio: reflect: "light....world...cannot...hidden” ; as committed followers of Christ, our lives should reflect Christ within us; i.e., selfless love. Seek the grace to be a source of good example and in a way that others ask: ‘Why does he or she act that way’;  and they will come to know it is Christ within you and You are His light.

 Tomorrow's reading::Mt 5.17-19

6.07.15

 Lectio:  Mt 5.1-12                                        

Meditatio: “He began to teach them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’.”  Mt 5.2-3                                                                          

 Oratio: O God, Jesus gave a beautiful Sermon on the Mount at the beginning of His public ministry known ever sense at the Beatitudes. He declared ‘Blessed’ various situations in this life which involved being without when our natural instincts are we are blest when we ‘have.’ Pray to see that  the doing without is really a blessing in the sense it is form of detachment from things of this world and is a great help in preparing for the next world, an everlasting one of blessedness.

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

 Operatio: reflect: "Blessed....poor”;   the Beatitudes have  specific situations which Jesus declared ‘Blessed’, five of which are doing without including the poor, the mourning, the meek, the hungry and thirsty. Jesus also said they will rejoice and be glad for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs. Doing without is the essence of detachment and detachment can be a source of great virtue if we embrace it. Thus these five situations can be a source of blessedness in this life, too. Seek the see as the Buddhists do, that attachment to things is a source of misery. And then for the grace to use things for what they are designed - as helps for the journey in this life and to aid in one day arriving at the heavenly kingdom..If you do, you will have the right attitude to which the Beatitudes call.

6.06.15

 Lectio:  Mk 14.12-16, 22-26                     

"Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant which will be shed for many’.” Mk 14.24-25

 Oratio: O God, Jesus at the Last Supper instituted the Eucharist as a living memorial of His salvific act for us. Pray that we may always remember His great sacrifice so that we may have life everlasting;  and show our remembrance by living as Eucharistic people.  .  

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

 Operatio: reflect: "took...cup...drank...my blood...covenant”;   the bread that Jesus blest, broke and gave to His disciples to eat and the cup of wine that He gave thanks and gave to them to drink is a living memorial of Jesus and  through Whom we have the Way, the Truth and the Life. Seek the grace to follow Him all our days by living a life of selfless love for that is what  the covenant He entered with us is calls us to do as  our part of the agreement;  and it is the Way to eternal life with Him.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mt 5.1-12       

6.03-6.05.15

 6.03.15

 Lectio: Mk 12.28-34

 Meditatio: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is like this. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself'. There is no other commandment greater than these'." Mk 12.30-31

 Oratio: O God, Your Son made known the two great commandments that You desire we obey.

 I remember Jesus declared that the love of God and love of neighbor as ourselves are the twin commands for us.  Pray that we may always be guided by selfless love.

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

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

 Operatio: reflect: "love God...love neighbor...yourself"; You have revealed how we are to serve - with great love.  Seek the grace to love always and be guide by this principle in all you do and you will be the child that God wants you to be.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mk 12.35-37


 6.04.25

 Lectio: Mk 12.35-37

 Meditatio: "David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said 'the Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand  until I place  your enemies under your feet'."  Mk 12.36

 Oratio: O God, Your Son made it clear as to His origin.

 I remember Jesus showed that the Messiah's origin was both of David and before and above David when He declared the Lord said to my lord. In prayer thank Jesus for being God and Man  of the house of David, and our Lord and Savior.

 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...my lord...sit"; the Messiah is Lord and David is lord and thus Jesus Jesus cleared up the question about His origin. Seek the grace to follow Jesus wherever He leads for not only should we serve Him but worship Him as well.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mk 12.38-44



 6.05.25

 Lectio: Mk 12.38-44

 Meditatio: "A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents." Mk 12.42

 Oratio: O God, Your Son made it clear that what is in our heart that counts. I rememberJesus told the Temple crowd that those the widow who gave the less gave the most because she gave from her need. Pray for a grateful and 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 & meditate on the selected passage and hear what     
 God is saying to you.

 Operatio: reflect: "poor widow...two small coins"; it is not the size of the gift that counts but the size of one's heart.  Seek the grace to be generous in thought, word and deed for that is what Jesus wants of us as His siblings.

 Tomorrow's reading: Mk 14.12-16, 22-26

6.02.15

Lectio: Mk 12.18-27                                                                                                                     

Meditatio: "When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.” Mk 12. 25

Oratio: O God,  Your Son revealed a wonderful truth to us about the after life.                                   
I remember when He was asked by the Sadducees, a sect, who do not believe in the resurrection,  as to whose wife would a woman be in the resurrection if she married seven brothers, Jesus replied that we are like angels and do not marry. In prayer thank God for providing such a wonderful existence for us in heaven and may we strive to imitate the angels here on earth in their virtues.

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: “rise...neither marry...angels”; in the resurrection our mode of existence is like the angels - how wonderful and glorious! Seek the grace to live the angelic way here in on earth, i.e.; as persons of selfless love and Jesus will be pleased.     

Tomorrow's reading:Mk 12.28-34

                 

6.01.15

Lectio:  Mk 12.13-17                                                                                                         

Meditatio: So Jesus said, ‘Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what

 belongs to God.” Mk 12.17

Oratio: O God,  Your Son, did not come to sow division between the Civil Authorities and religious practice.

I remember when He was asked about paying taxes, Jesus replied by saying we should pay them. In prayer seek to fulfill not only your religious duties but your civil ones as well for the is Jesus’s will.
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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: “repay...Caesar...and to God.”; as believers we are to fulfill all civil law that is just.  Seek the grace to be a good citizen as well as a good believer.

Tomorrow's reading:Mk 12.18-27