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

12.21.15

Lectio: Lk 1.46-56                                   

Meditatio: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord” Lk 1.46b                                                       
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, Mary responded to Elizabeth’s greeting with the words which became the very title of one of the most beautiful prayers - the Magnificat. It has been known as such since the late 4th c. It  from is Latin which means ‘magnifies’ or ‘proclaims’. . Pray to be instruments of God’s love for others so our souls, too, will magnify the greatness of the Lord and the Lord will in turn bless us.

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

Operatio: reflect: “proclaims....greatness”; Mary’s soul proclaimed the greatness of the Lord because she allowed God to use her as His instrument to bring about the birth of Jesus and then through Jesus our   birth as God’s children. Seek the grace to magnify God’s greatness by being His love for others.
         
Tomorrow's reading:Lk 1.57-66

12.19.15

Lectio: Lk 1.39-45                        

Meditatio: “During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country with haste to a town of Judah.” Lk 1.39
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, Mary showed us a marvelous example when she learned that her cousin Elizabeth was with child, for she when ‘with haste’ to her showing that we can also count on Mary to respond to our ordinary needs. Pray to be a docile and loving child of Mary for she so much deserves our love and devotion.

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

Operatio: reflect: “Mary.... with haste...Judah”; Mary shows us the way to respond to those in need. Do so ‘with haste’ or as another translation states’ with great thoughtfulness’. Seek the grace to love Mary as our Mother and emulate her example in dealing with her children for that is the best way to show your love for her.
                                                                                 
Tomorrow's reading:Lk 1.39-45

12/18/15

Lectio: Lk 1. 5-25

Meditatio: “So has the Lord done for me at a time when has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” Lk 1.25
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, You miraculously intervened so that Elizabeth would bear a son in her old age and take away the opprobrium that people had for her since she was childless. Pray that I may never rash judge others or place standards of conduct on others that are not divine based.

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

Operatio: reflect: “Lord....take away...disgrace”; under the thinking of the time to be childless meant that you were not favored by God. Seek the grace to see others in the light of Christ and avoid negative judgments on others for that is the way that God wants of us.
                                                                                 
Tomorrow's reading:Lk 1.39-45

12.15.15

Lectio: Lk 7. 18b-23                                                                

Meditatio: “When the men came to him, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to asks,’Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another’.” Lk 7.20
                                                                                 
Oratio: O God, Your Son made it very clear to John’s disciples that He was the Messiah, relying on deeds and not words to make it known. Pray to Jesus for coming to us to bring us home.

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

Operatio: reflect: “John..sent... are you...one”; Jesus answered with His history of deeds and all knew he was the Messiah. Seek the grace to spread the Good News so that others will come to know and believe and be saved.
                                                                                 
Tomorrow's reading:Mt1.1-17