7.30.14 & 7.31.14

7.30.14

Lectio: Mt 13.47-53

Meditatio: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind." Mt 13.47

Oratio: O God, You want all to be part of Your kingdom.

I remember Jesus compared Your Kingdom like a net cast into the sea. It's purpose is to gather all fish without discrimination; and so is Your kingdom for all who respond for in the sorting of the catch, the good - those who respond; and the bad-those who do not respond to Jesus' message to reform, will be separated and the bad throw out. In prayer seek the grace to live a life of selfless love and God will gift you with 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 times purpose is to father  in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what what God I saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "kingdom....like a net...all"; the universality of the kingdom; open to all but requires a positive response to Jesus. Seek the grace to do all things out of love and that will your sign of acceptance of Jesus' message and He will admit you into the Kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.54-58

7.31.24

Lectio: Mt 13.54-58

Meditatio: "And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith." Mt 13.58

Oratio: O God, You continue to watch over us with loving care even though we are so fickle.

I remember Jesus was rejected by hpHis hometown of Nazareth even though they we're astonished by His preaching and impressed by the many miracles he had worked because they thought they knew Him as a son of Joseph and Mary and therefore He could not be the Messiah. How near sighted! What a loss for them! In prayer seek to be open to the Spirit at work 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 times purpose is to father  in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what what God I saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "not work...mighty deeds...lack of faith"; Jesus' hometown people refused to accept the obvious because they thought they knew Jesus' origin and they missed out on so much because they were opinionated.  Seek the grace to be open to the many ways God is at work in our world and thank Him for being so good to us.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 14.1-12

7.29.14

Lectio: : Mt 13.44-46                

Meditatio: "Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.  When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” Mt 13.45-46

Oratio: O God, what a precious gift You have given us in Your kingdom.

I remember Jesus declared it of such value that one should sell all that he has to obtain it. In prayer may I always show my gratitude for this great git and in my daily actions show that I prize Your kingdom more than anything else.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "kingdom...like...pearl of great price”; because it is, like the merchant we should give all that we have to obtain it. In prayer seek God’s grace to do what we ought to obtain to His kingdom by being a person of selfless love for others for this total giving will gift us with  a ticket to the kingdom.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.47-53

7.27.14

Lectio: : Mt 13.31-35                

Meditatio: "He proposed to them another parable. ‘The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened’.” Mt 13.33

Oratio: O God, You bring about great things from virtually nothing.

I remember Jesus likened the kingdom to a yeast that a woman kneaded into flour and the whole batch became light and airy through the action of the tiny spores indicating that the kingdom has a virtually imperceptible beginning but produces great growth thanks to the action of the yeast.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "kingdom...like...yeast”; metaphor reminds listeners that the kingdom’s beginning is virtually imperceptible but it grows into something quite large. In prayer seek the grace to open to the Spirit so that you may have the same effect on the growth of the kingdom that a spore of a yeast has and God will be pleased.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 11.19-27

7.21.14 to 7.26.14

7.21.14

Lectio: Mt 13.1-9

Meditatio: "Whoever has ears ought to hear." Mt 13.9

Oratio: O God, at times when we hear for the first time a truth, we may be puzzled.

I remember Jesus said if we have ears, we should hear.  At first it seems obvious but then it is puzzling for why would he conclude with what appears to be the obvious. Upon reflection He was talking about hearing with the ears if faith for without such hearing what He was teaching through Hus parables would be completely missed. Seek a mind that is open to God's ways so that which God wants will be readily known.

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: "ears..hear"; the obvious is often missed if we are not docile in our approach to God's ways. In prayer seek the grace for hearing that is open and processes the Word of God to the extent God wants us know.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.10-17

7.22.14

Lectio: Mt 13.10-17

Meditatio: "This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand." Mt 13.13

Oratio: O God, how sad You must have been when You sent Your Son to the chosen people and they did not respond.

I remember Your Son declared that they have ears but do not hear and eyes but they do not see, meaning they were closed to His teachings and miracles and as a result they failed to use their God given senses and missed on the greatest message of all times - death is not death but life in Christ forever. In prayer seek an open mind to the miracles that surround us everyday so that we might be drawn ever deeply into the mystery of your 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: "look..hear..not...understand"; the religious leaders and the crowd that followed them failed to accept the obvious and they missed out on the greatest-Jesus! In prayer seek the grace to see the work of God in the beauty of His creation and in the heroic love that touches my life for all are meant to draw me ever deeper into the mystery of Divine Love!

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 20.20-28







7.24.24

Lectio: Mt 20.20-28

Meditatio: "But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your servant." Mt 20.26

Oratio: O God, how different are your values from ours.

I remember Jesus told James and John that if they sought greatness it will be found in serving others and not in being served. Pray for a servant's 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: "be first...be...servant": honor is given to those who serve contrary to society 's view that being served is a sign of greatness  In prayer seek the grace to abide by Jesus' standard and all will be well in the end,

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.24-30


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, Jul 25, 2014 at 6:25 AM, Michael Lonergan wrote:


     7.25.24

    Lectio: Mt 13.24.30

     Meditatio: "Let them grow together until harvest time. I will tell the harvesters, 'First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn'." Mt 13.30

     Oratio: O God, how gracious and considerate You are!

    Jesus' kingdom on earth will have the good (wheat) and the bad (weeds) in it but He will allow both to there until the end thereby giving the weeds the opportunity to change and not suffer the fate of being bundled for burning. How? Just as we can convert and change so can all. In prayer seek to avoid being judgmental and instead be a source of good example to those who are weak so that they may be influenced for good and be changed.

    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: "grow together...until harvest"; The good and the bad will live together here in God's kingdom on earth and only if they never change during their sojourn  on earth will the bad suffer the eternal flames. In prayer seek the grace to be a source of good for the weak so they may have eternal life for we do live for ourselves but for others as well.

    Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.44-52


7.26.14

Lectio: Mt 13.44-52

Meditatio: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl  of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." Mt 13.45-46

Oratio: O God, what a precious gift You gave us in Your Kingdom.

I remember Your Son compared it to a fine pearl of great price. In prayer seek the grace to always prize it above all and do all to obtain it.

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

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

Operatio: reflect: "kingdom...fine pearl"; a metaphor to remind Jesus' listeners that it is so very precious yet He gives it as a gift to all who are open to His ways.  In prayer seek the grace to live  in accord with the Great Law of Love for that is His Way.

Tomorrow's reading: Mt 13.31-35

7.10.14

Lectio: Mt 13.24-43

Meditatio: “ All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables.” Mt 13.34

Oratio: O God, You know how difficult it is for us to even begin to glimpse the mystery of Your love.

I remember Jesus was award of this and so He taught using parables which are teaching stories the meaning of which is not in the surface line of the story but in its underlying meaning and thus such stories make the listener think and reflect to gain and understanding and this exercise results in a greater understanding and a greater remembering of what is being taught. In prayer seek the wisdom to plumb the parables for they are filled with riches and they are meant for my greater good.

 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:”spoke... in parables”; parables were Jesus favorite teaching pedagogy and very effective for it stimulated thinking and reflection which resulted in a greater glimpse of the mystery Jesus was discussing. In prayer may I have the grace of understanding and reflect deeply on the parables for they are rich in meaning and meant for my good...
       
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 12.38-42

7.16.14

Lectio:   Mt 11.28-30                                                         

Meditatio: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.” Mt 11.29

Oratio: O God, You care deeply for us and You invite us to join ourselves with You.
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I remember Jesus invited us to yoke ourselves to Him and if we do, He will give us rest. Seek the grace to turn to Jesus in all things and know He will help us if we 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:’take my yoke...find rest”; when we yoke ourselves to someone we are joined with that person; and when we are joined with another the burden is shared and it becomes lighter in the sharing. In prayer always yoke yourself to Jesus both in good times and in bad for our good times will be twice as good and our bad times will be bearable in the sharing.
         
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 12.1-8     

7.15.14

Lectio:   Mt 11.25-27                                            

Meditatio: "Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.” Mt 11.26

Oratio: O God, we often forget because of our self-centeredness that You are the center.            
I remember Jesus made if quite clear to the crowds to whom He was preaching that all that He spoke and to all to whom it is revealed is due to Your gracious will. In prayer may I always seek the grace to do your will and not my will for only then will all things be ordered 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 and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect:"Father....your...will”; The purpose of all things are ordered by the Heavenly Father’s will for He has created all things and He alone knows the full purpose of all that He created. In prayer  seek the grace to make Jesus’ prayer, my daily prayer - ‘Not my will but thine be done..’
         
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 11.28-30