9.9.12 Lectio: 1 Cor 5.1-8 Meditatio: "It is not good for you to glory, Do you not know that a little leaven corrupts the entire mass?” 1 Cor 5.6 Oratio: " O God, You know the power of example on us - both good and bad example. I remember Paul warned the Corinthians about bad example corrupting, like leaven, the entire community. Grant that I may be ever mindful that my words and my deeds effect others and ask for the grace to give scandal to on one. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "leaven”; the effect of yeast; just a little yeast causes the mass of dough to rise; an apt expression for the effect of example - good or bad - on others. In prayer ask to be a leaven of good for others. Tomorrow's reading: 1 Cor 6.1-11

9.8.12 Lectio: Is 35.4-7a Meditatio: "Say to those who hearts are frightened, ‘Be Strong, fear not!’ Here is your God, He comes with vindication, with divine recompense he comes to save you.” Is35.4 Oratio: " O God, You are the source of our peace. I remember Your prophet Isaiah proclaimed to the Israelites who were suffering in exile to ‘fear not!’ for You would save them - and You did! Grant that I may always turn to You when fear comes upon me, knowing that You will save me from any immortal harm that the evil would seek to impose on me I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "fear”; an emotion which releases energy to defend oneself; no need to fear evil with God as our protector and redeemer; in prayer thank God for always being there for us and who will protect us from any evil which threatens our soul if we simply turn to Him. Tomorrow's reading: 1 Cor 5.1-8

9.7.12 Lectio: Mi 5.1-4a Meditatio: "he shall be peace.”Mi 5.4a Oratio: " O God, by their fruits we shall know them. I remember the prophet Micah proclaimed the Messiah as ‘peace.’ He was born of the Virgin Mary which means she too it a model of peace. Grant that tomorrow, when we celebrate the birthday of Mary, that we may give her joy by being a peace with those whose lives we touch. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "peace”; not simply absence of war; a climate of justice; of right relationships with God, others and self; in prayer as our Blessed Mother to give us, her children, the grace necessary to be truly persons of peace. Tomorrow's reading: Is 35.4-7a

9.6.12 Lectio: 1 Cor 4.1-5 Meditatio: "I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not hereby stand acquitted, the one who judges is the Lord.” 1 Cor 4.4 Oratio: " O God, we often judge others but we ought not! I remember Paul wrote to the Corinthians that judgment belongs to You for You alone know the heart. Grant that I may follow Paul’s advice and refrain from judging others; rather use those occasions for examining my own actions - thereby turning a bad habit into a good one. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "judging others”; God alone knows the heart, judgment belongs to God alone; when you are tempted to judge others as being arrogant, or aggressive or in any other negative way, use those occasions and ask yourself are you arrogant or aggressive or do you come across as arrogant, aggressive or the like; and if you do, you will overcome the bad habit of judging others and replace it with a good habit of examining your own conscience. Tomorrow's reading: Mi 5.1-4a

9.5.12 Lectio: 1 Cor 3.18-23 Meditatio: "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their own ruses’.” 1 Cor3.19 Oratio: " O God, You are the source of true wisdom. I remember Paul told the Corinthians that the ‘wisdom of this world is foolishness’ in Your eyes! Why? Because it is based on limited knowledge. Grant that I may use my intellect to learn of Your ways so as to stay on the path of righteousness. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "wisdom of this world”; man’s opinion based on reason as to w hat is or what ought to be or to be done; foolish because man cannot know everything only God can. In prayer ask for the grace to learn of the truths that God has revealed and be pro-active in response to them; remembering that Jesus said that all of the prophets and the law are summed up in the great law of love. Tomorrow's reading: 1 Cor 4.1-5

9.4.12 Lectio: 1 Cor 3.1-9 Meditatio: "I [Paul] planted, Apollo watered, but God caused the growth.” 1 Cor 3.6 Oratio: " O God, You are the source of all that is good but You want us to do our part, too. I remember Paul told the Corinthians that he planted the seed of their faith but Apollo watered it but the growth was caused by You. Grant that I may always let You be You and me be Your humble servant for then I will be what You want of me and I will be blest. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "planted...watered”; seeds of faith, nourishment of the faith; missionary activities; in prayer ask God for the grace to fulfill my baptismal role and do my part to spread the faith especially by the life I live. Tomorrow's reading: 1 Cor 3.18-23

9.2.12 Lectio: 1 Cor 2.1-5 Meditatio: "so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” 1 Cor 2.5 Oratio: " O God, You want us to know You and the truth. I remember Paul declared that our faith rests on true wisdom - Yours. Grant that I may always accept the faith proclaimed by the Catholic Church as its Pope and its bishops in union with him are guided in the way of truth by Your Holy Spirit. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "wisdom”; supreme knowledge of the sublime; in prayer thank God for making known His wisdom by sending His Son to establish His kingdom here on earth. Tomorrow's reading: 1 Cor 2.10b