12.30 & 12.31.15

12-30.15

Lectio: Jn 1.1-18


Meditatio: “But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name." Jn 1.12

Oratio: O God, how gracious of You to allow us the be Your children through belief in Your Son.  Pray for a strong faith so that I may always live and act as Your child.

Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “become children...God...believe...name"; what a gift we are given because of our belief in Jesus - children of God! Seek the grace to be what a child of God ought to be and we will bask in our Heavenly Father's love forever.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 2.16-21


12-31.15

Lectio: Lk 2.16-21


Meditatio: “So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger." Lk 2.16

Oratio: O God, the shepherds were the first to visit and pay homage to Your  Son showing that the lowly would accept Your Son and in the end of His days here on earth, so it would be. Pray for a meek and humble heart so as to be pleasing to You as were the shepherds.

Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “went...found...infant...manger"; seek and you will find-that is the advice of Your Son and that was the advice that the Shepherds took to their great joy.  Seek the grace to follow the promptings of the Lord that are often given through those who are meek and humble of heart
 for they are meant for our good.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.19-28

12.29.15

Lectio: Lk 2.36-40                                                     

Meditatio: “And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who waiting redemption o f Jerusalem.” Lk 2.38

Oratio: O God, Your Son was recognized by Anna in the Temple and she, too, praised you for sending the redeemer. .Pray to recognize Christ at work in others for that is how He comes to us today,                                                                        

Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “she....thanks....all...redemption” Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, like Simeon, immediately recognized the child Jesus as the redeemer. Seek the grace to proclaim Jesus is alive and among us in our brothers and sisters and take their messages to heart.                         
   
Tomorrow's reading: Jn 1.1-18        

12.28.15

Lectio: Lk 2.22-35                                                      

Meditatio: “just as I t is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord’.” Lk 2. 23                                                                     
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, Your Son’s family were observant Jews and accordingly they presented their child in the Temple to be consecrated to You..Pray to be observant of the laws of my church and You will be greatly pleased.                                                                          

Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “law....every male...consecrated:; imagine if every male would be consecrated to the Lord, today, what a world we would be living in.  Seek the grace to comply with all church law and especiatlly those which call for us to be consecrated on God’s work.                           
   
Tomorrow's reading:  Lk 2.36-40

12.27.15

Lectio: Lk 2.41-52                                            

Meditatio: “When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he ordered the massacre of all the boys two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.” Mt 2.16
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, how  the desire for power can corrupt. In the case of King Herod, his fear of a successor to his throne, led him to kill all the boys two and younger in Bethlehem and vicinity thinking the new born king would be killed in the process..Pray to these Holy Innocents that whatever power or authority you have, to use it for the good of others for that is why it has been given to you.

Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “Herod....ordered....massacre....boys....Bethlehem”; What evil the thirst for power can lead us as we learned about King Herod’s killing of all the young boys. Seek the grace to use one’s position and one’s authority wisely and for good for that is the only way of pleasing God with who and what we are.
   
Tomorrow's reading:  Lk 22-35

12.26.15

Lectio: Lk 2.41-52                                            

Meditatio: “And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house’?” Lk 2.49
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, Your Son remained behind when He was 12 when the family’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem was over, and Mary and Joseph searched for him for three days before finding Him in the Temple listening to and asking questions of the teachers. When Mary asked, ‘Why?’,He reminded her of a profound truth that You were His Father. Pray that I may learn from the conclusion of today’s episode of the importance of obedience - of children to their parents and to grown-ups to those in authority; and most importantly to God who is are All and are End.

Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “why....looking....Father’s house”; Jesus at age 12 was an adult in the view of ANE protocol. As result, He would have traveled with other adults and not with His parents in the caravan as it left Jerusalem It was only after they had left the city and would also be leaving the caravan that they looked for Jesus and to their great concern realized that He was missing and a three day search ensued, I am sure, with great anxiety for Mary and Joseph.. Seek the grace to take as the lesson of  today’s Gospel that children, until they leave home are still children, and love and obedience is due to their  parents.
      
Tomorrow's reading: Mt 2.13-18

12.25.15

12.22.15

Lectio: Lk 1.57-66                                              

Meditatio: “but his mother said in reply, ‘No. He will be called John’.”: Lk 1.60                                           
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, Elizabeth surprised everyone when she said her son will be called John and even more surprised when Zechariah agreed and he was then able to speak. Pray to do God’s will and you will be amazed what God over time will do for you.

Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “He...called Johns”; The Baptist was called John for that was the name given to his parents and they did God’s bidding and not there. Seek the grace to do God’s work in all your endeavors and in the long run you will be greatly enriched..
         
Tomorrow's reading:Lk 1.67-79