01.18.16

Lectio:  Mk 2.23-28                                       

Meditatio: “Then he sad to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath’.” Mk 2.27                                                                             
  
Oratio: O God, Jesus’ disciples were picking grain on the sabbath to feed their hunger; but the religious leaders considered this work and criticized them for doing so. Jesus made it clear that the commandment of keeping holy the sabbath is not an absolute commandment and its purpose was for man’s benefit. Pray to keep holy the sabbath and keep in mind that it is for the purpose of energizing us, physically, emotionally and religiously and act accordingly.                                                                              
Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “sabbath....for man...; Jesus set the record straight as to the purpose of the sabbath and made it clear that any interpretation of its purpose that would harm man is not controlling. Seek the grace to use the sabbath as a day of rest so as to recharge your batteries both physical, psychological and spiritual and you will be keeping it holy.                                                          
Tomorrow's reading: Mk 3.1-6   

01.17.16

Lectio:  Mk 2.18-22                            

Meditatio: “Jesus answered them, ‘Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast’.” Mk 2.19
  

Oratio: O God, Jesus’ disciples did not fast and the Pharisees’ and the Baptist’s disciples did and they wanted to know why His disciples did not. His replied showed that one of the purposes of fasting was to hasten the coming of the Messiah and by His identifying Himself as the Bridegroom, He was using an Old Testament symbol for the Messiah and therefore His coming negated fasting. But He also said that when He leaves, they will and they did. Pray to make fasting part of your spirituality and do so for Jesus’ sake                    

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

Operatio: reflect: “guests fast....bridegroom....them”; Jesus replied to the why His disciples did not fast while others do, is that His presence has fulfilled the main purpose of fasting. Sadly His religious proponent missed the heart of His reply. Seek the grace of gratitude for having been born at a time, when Jesus’ words are understood and there is no longer any reason not to  plainly declare that Jesus is the Messiah.
Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.23-28

01.16.16

Lectio:  Jn 2.1-11                  

Meditatio: “When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’... His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you’.” Jn 2,3,5

Oratio: O God, Jesus, His mother and disciples attended a wedding in Cana and the wine ran out. Mary noticed and brought it to the attention of her Son, He changed 120 gallons to 180 gallons of water into wine. - What s sign! It was a Messianic sign! Pray to recognize God at work daily for us in nature and in our families and do whatever He tells you to do.

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

Operatio: reflect: “wine...short..mother...do.....tells you”; Mary our Mother in grace and Jesus’ Mother is a great intercessor. Seek the grace to always remember that we have such a great and concerned Mother in heaven and always have recourse to her in our needs for she wants all her children to one day come home to her.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.18-22

01.15.16

Lectio:  Mk 2.13-17

Meditatio: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Mk 2.16b

Oratio: O God, Jesus was criticized by the religious elite because of the company he kept. But he replied that it was just for these that He came. Pray to judge not others;  less in judging you also  be judged. Know that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord, even the hardened sinner.

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

Operatio: reflect: “why....eat....sinners; “ Jesus ate with sinners to show that it was just people like them that He was there. Seek the grace to be there for others regardless of the state of their souls;  and do your best to bring them back to the Lord for He so much wants their return.

Tomorrow's reading: Jn 2.1-11

01.13 & 14

Lectio:  Mk 1.40-45

Meditatio: “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, 'I do will it. Be made clean'." MK 1.41

Oratio: O God, Jesus with a touch and a command, healed a leper, the incurable of the time! Pray with confidence to the Lord, no matter how desperate the need, whether Jesus will work a miracle, is up to Jesus, but in fact a miracle of faith has already occurred by your turning to Him.

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

Operatio: reflect: “pity...touched...made clean"; the power of intercessory prayer is evident in Jesus cure of the leper. Seek the grace to always plead before the Throne of Mercy your needs for you will always receive an answer and God will help you by answering your plea or be helping you get through your time of need.


Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.1-12

1.14.16

Lectio:  Mk 2.1-12

Meditatio: “But that you may know the Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins on earth - he said to the paralytic, ' I say to you, rise, pick up your mat , and go home'." Mk 2.10

Oratio: O God, Jesus with His words alone, forgave  sins and healed a paralytic in the sight of the unbelieving religious leaders.  Pray to imitate the four friends of the paralytic and readily pray for the welfare of others.

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

Operatio: reflect: “authority...forgive...rise"; the power of intercessory prayer is evident in Jesus' cure of the paralytic for He did so because of the faith of the four men who carried the paralytic and lowered him through the roof to Jesus.  Seek the grace to readily pray for the needs of others for such prayers are so powerful.


Tomorrow's reading: Mk 2.13-17

01.12.16

Lectio:  Mk 1.29-39                                                                                                   

Meditatio: “So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.” Mk 1.39
                                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, Jesus personally spread the Good News and healed so all would know the Kingdom of God is at hand. Pray that I may be always opened to how the Kingdom is being spread and present today for it is for my greatest good.

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

Operatio: reflect: “preaching....throughout...Galilee.” Jesus spoke with authority and healed with authority so no one could mistake who He is. Seek the grace to see Christ in the other for that is the mission of all and we best do it with the life we live.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.40-45                                  

01.11.16

Lectio: Mk 1.21-28                                                                                        

Meditatio: “All were amazed and asked one another,’ What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands and even the unclean spirits and they obey him’.” Mk 1.27                                                                                                  
Oratio: O God, Jesus came and taught with authority and cast out unclean spirits showing us another aspect of the mystery of Christ coming in his fulness. Pray with faith that Jesus will grant what we truly need for He has the power and He has the will to do so..
                                                                        
Contemplatio: Spend some time with today's text and see how the Lord is speaking to you.

Operatio: reflect: “new teaching....authority.....spirits....obey.” Jesus spoke with authority and acted with authority. Seek the grace to always do His will for therein lies our greatest good.

Tomorrow's reading: Mk 1.29-39